Getting things done

Not too very long ago I came to the realization that in the past, I didn’t use computers to do much. It could be that I didn’t really have much to do aside from playing games and writing the occasional resume’, but as far as productivity goes, I’d never quite been in a job that required me to use the computer to be productive, in a way of speaking. I was never required to pump out much in the way of Excel spreadsheets, or Access databases. I was never required to do much more than the occasional Word document.

For that very reason, I never really found myself developing any methods to keep my affairs in order on the PC. I had general locations to store items and data, but I never actually used it. I desired to do creative things like make movies or work scripts, but I never actually had the motivation to try (those of you who know me well know that my motivation to do anything creative started to die around 1999 - I am workng to ressurrect it somehow).

My jobs mainly required just for me to fix other computers so other people could be productive. So for me to be productive, I just had to fix things so other people could be productive.

Little did I know that I was developing a few rules under the covers for myself in managing day-to-day tasks like e-mail or a workflow for items on the computer. Little did I know that if I didn’t stick to this workflow, I often found myself feeling overwhelmed.

I decided on the way in to work today that I might share some of these rules that I have with you, the reader, just in case any of it means shit to you. If it helps, fantastic. If not, sorry.

It should also be pointed out that part of the reason I am suddenly interested in this is because since my conversion to a wannabe-Mac-user, I’ve found myself wanting to use the computer to do productive things instead of playing games or fixing it. That’s a positive impact to me; one that I’m hoping will revive that creative spirit.

In the meantime, look to me for future articles about:

• Managing e-mail and keeping the Inbox clean
• Managing the desktop and keeping the desktop clean
• Managing tasks, both personal and professional
• Podcasts to help you develop your own workflows

I should also point out that I’ve become quite interested in the aspect of productivity. Probably my number one rule of late has been to find and develop two workflows - one for professional day-to-day jobbing and one for personal projects. Keeping them separate has been important to me, regardless of the fact that occasionally one invades the other.

All of these are topics we’ll cover. Should I perhaps make a separate category for this mess so you can filter it out if you don’t want to read it? Thoughts?

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