Monday, August 21, 2017

Don't Overlook Your Workstation, It Might Be The Reason Why You Are Unproductive

As a personal coach with over 100 employees, one of the most common questions I receive from time to time is “how can I be more productive?” The only way to really get ahead is by increasing your productivity. It’s a pretty straight forward concept. When we get more done, we reach our goal more quickly. We all have the same amount of time in the day, but some people just manage to get more done. Surely, there must be some secrets to this super-human level of efficiency. But what?

Throughout the years, I have passed down different techniques and hacks to boost productivity to my collegaues with reasonable success. But one day it dawned on me. I had been overlooking the most important element of a productive work space; the work space itself.

Don’t just organize, organize with purpose

As I observed the Lifehack office, I noticed that there was one distinctive variable. All of my colleauges had been integrating the same productivity techniques that I had taught them, but still for some reason some had more success than others.

I noticed that there was definitely a direct connection between those who had organized work stations and their level of productivity. I asked each individual what the thought process what behind their desk set-ups. Not at all to my surprise, those who admitted to organizing their workstations with purpose were more productive than those who didn’t.

Why? Because not only do they take the time to organize, but they organize tactfully to increase productivity. (I am even de-cluttering my desk as I write this!) This makes a whole lot of sense because your environment contributes largely to your success.

Think about it like this: if you were on a diet, you wouldn’t surround yourself with junk-food, right? Well, if you want to think clearly, you shouldn’t surround yourself with distractions.

Create the ideal environment to enhance your productivity

I decided to pick the brains of the more productive individuals in the office. This way I could harness some of their wisdom for helpful tips for organization and increased efficiency. I found that they all had these habits in common:

1. Keep distractions on your unfamiliar side

By your unfamiliar side, I mean your less dominant hand. If you are right handed, keep your phone on the left side of the desk so are less likely to reach for it. Understandably, you want to keep your phone around in case of emergencies. But checking your phone is probably so habitual that it’s become muscle memory at this point. Sometimes you grab your phone without even realizing it. Constantly doing this will break your focus and disrupt your workflow. To avoid this, make it inconvenient to reach.

2. The larger your trashcan, the better

This may seem slightly trivial, but it’s actually imperative for improving efficiency. The goal here is clarity. So you want to have a nearby receptacle to dump all of your unwanted and unneeded clutter before it takes over your life.

Let’s say that you’ve just finished brainstorming and have utilized all of the ideas you had written down. Now you have no need for that pile of papers holding your old ideas. But your small trash can is full. Instead of walking across the office to dump the papers, you just set them off to the side. It starts out with just one pile of papers, but the it turns into a habit of, “I’ll take care of this later.” And the next thing you know, you’re buried with outdated and unneeded items. Is that a used tissue? Gross!

Now the items you actually need are mixed up with unnecessary items, which will get frustrating after a while. Save yourself the trouble. Clean as you go.

3. Have a designated “deal with later” area

As your work days drag on, you’ll start to realize that you’re not getting as much done as you’d like. As tasks and projects pile up, you find yourself battling distractions and losing your focus, not to mention becoming overwhelmed by your workload.

Lighten the load a bit. Create a “deal with later” area. This could be a folder or shelf where you store your tasks. By doing this, your brain will register that you have received the project, but then you can file it away so it does not deter you from your current task. Each time you get distracted, it takes twice and long to refocus. Set aside a time to clear out your “deal with later” area, and get to it when you can.

4. Keep only the essentials on your desk

The presence of organizational tools may make you feel like you are being more productive, but remember less is more. You only need one pen to write with, one highlighter to highlight with, one notebook to write on and one stack of post-its until you run out. Anything else is unnecessary, and will just make your work space a mess. Besides, you want to spend your precious time working, not deciding on which pen to use.

Keep these items to your dominant side, on your otherwise clutter-free desk. That way you have all that you need right on hand.

5. Have an organized drawer for the almost- essentials

I know you love that polka dot stapler and matching tape dispenser. But they’re not vital items for your productivity, are they? You want to keep them close, but not out in the open where they might distract you. Instead, keep almost-essential items like these that you use on a daily basis in a well-organized drawer.

Keeping items like these out of sight gives your brain less of an opportunity to wander, helping to keep you on track. You might not think that a stapler is going to hinder your workflow, but you’d be surprised where your mind will drift to when you’re stuck on a task.

6. Always have water on hand

And lots of it. It is the elixir of life and productivity. I noticed during my observations that the most productive people always have a large container of water on their desk at all times. This is because when they become focused and throw themselves into their work, they often forget to drink water.

Having water on hand saves them less trips of getting up to get it, therefore they have less distractions throughout the day. Not to mention, staying hydrated helps them to think clearly and therefore be more productive. Remember, clarity corresponds with efficiency.

The post Don’t Overlook Your Workstation, It Might Be The Reason Why You Are Unproductive appeared first on Lifehack.



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carnivalgraveyards:Commuter Rail Station. Why this is positively...



carnivalgraveyards:

Commuter Rail Station.

Why this is positively filthy

f m b architekten - Greiner headquarters, Pleidelsheim 2016....

Wittfoht Architekten - Karl Köhler administration building,...

ianference:And today my comrades and I found ourselves at this...



ianference:

And today my comrades and I found ourselves at this place…

Hell yeah you did…

Street Artist: Eduardo KobraEduardo Kobra (born 1976) is a...





















Street Artist: Eduardo Kobra

Eduardo Kobra (born 1976) is a Brazilian street artist. He is notable for painting murals, usually depicting portraits with a technique of repeating squares and triangles. Kobra utilizes bright colors and bold lines while staying true to a kaleidoscope theme throughout his art. Artist website.


Enjoy past street art features and follow us on Twitter.

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Street Artist: Eduardo KobraEduardo Kobra (born 1976) is a... crss





















Street Artist: Eduardo Kobra

Eduardo Kobra (born 1976) is a Brazilian street artist. He is notable for painting murals, usually depicting portraits with a technique of repeating squares and triangles. Kobra utilizes bright colors and bold lines while staying true to a kaleidoscope theme throughout his art. Artist website.


Enjoy past street art features and follow us on Twitter.

posted by tu recepcja via

crss

This whole photo set is yummy











This whole photo set is yummy

Hartwig Schneider Architekten - Technical school expansion at...

Simon Freie Architekten - University extension, Stuttgart 2016....

How I Pick the Right Books to Read to Learn 10X Faster

According to a study conducted in 2016 [1], it was found that most people read around 12 books a year. This may or may not sound like a lot to you depending on how much you like to read.

To the average person one book a month is pretty impressive. But unfortunately, many of these books aren’t exactly intellectually stimulating. Fan-fiction books such as 50 Shades of Grey might be entertaining, but they’re not going to improve your life or make you smarter.

To get the most out of books, you’ll need to choose them carefully

There are around 134,021,533 books in the world[2], and the number is only growing. So many genres, so many writing styles. It’s like any other external element that represents you. The clothes you wear, the car you drive, it’s all a matter of preference and taste.

With all of this nearly overwhelming choice, it makes sense that choosing the right book for you could be difficult.

Best-sellers are not necessarily the best for you

Many people refer to the best sellers list to get an idea of what they should be reading. Or sometimes they’ll just choose something at random, pick up a book and hope for the best. That’s fine for entertainment purposes, but not so much for your development.

It would better benefit us if we took the time to consciously choose what to read based on the skills we want to improve, or the mindset that we want to hone. If we don’t make that choice for ourselves, then the best sellers list will make the choice for us.

The real issue here is that while we’re wasting our time reading mediocre books, we’re missing out on ones that could really benefit us or even change our lives.

Never judge a book by its cover

The book cover and the content hiding inside are two separate entities. An author could have created great content, but their book will get overlooked if the title & cover are not eye catching. On the other hand, a book might have a great cover, but the contents are just full of fillers and empty statements. The plot is weak and you might even feel drained from reading such an atrocious piece of garbage.

I’ve read so many books that aren’t necessarily attractive at first glance, but have resonated with me and benefited me greatly such as Good Strategy, Bad Strategy by Richard Rumelt [3].

Make use of tools to help you decide what to read next

Your Next Read is a little bit like Pandora in a sense. You enter the title of a book that you enjoy and the generator will supply you with a list of relevant suggestions.

Bookbub is very similar in the sense that it matches your profile to books that appeal to your interests. They will also alert you when books on your list are available free or at a discounted price.

Check out the three-star reviews on Amazon

There are two types of people in this world who choose to leave reviews. Those who truly loved the product and those who loathed it. Some people have incredibly high standards and can never be pleased, so you should never take their word for it; their opinions aren’t objective enough.

Like I said before, it’s all just a matter of taste. What may come across as nasty to one person might be barely mild to you. A book that is revered by your peers may come across to you as boring and poorly written. When you look at the medium reviews (three stars) they typically will give you an overview of the good and the bad, giving you a more objective opinion.

Ask for recommendations from like-minded people and your role models

Since they have similar taste, you can trust their review of a book without having to do much research yourself. They won’t try to sell you like the marketers who promote the books on the best sellers list. They have your best interests in mind and know your personality, so they’d have a good idea of what you like.

Know when to switch it up

The issue with asking for recommendations from like-minded people, is that you end up falling into a cycle of reading the same material. We tend to read a lot of similar books with a recurring theme, because we as humans are drawn to what feels familiar. But complacency will never lead to progress.

The more you continue to read on a subject, the less information your brain retains. To always keep your mind fresh, try to switch it up a bit and take your reading in a different direction.

Ask yourself before reading: will I be able to apply the skills in the book soon?

I always try to read books that I know will contribute to my growth. When I read the book Good Strategy, Bad Strategy, I was double checking my organizational habits to see if there was room for improvement.

As a writer, it is imperative that I read books on or above the level that I want to write at. The books that I read dictate the frame of mind in which I function and give me the inspiration I need to continue writing engaging material. If I feel that a book doesn’t match or inspire my writing style, I will move on to the next one.

So the next time you go to pick up a book, consider how it will benefit you in the future. Don’t just pick up whatever is on the best sellers list. Find the authors that speak to you and help to shape you into who you want to be.

Reference

The post How I Pick the Right Books to Read to Learn 10X Faster appeared first on Lifehack.



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Simon Freie Architekten - Kindergarten, Aichtal 2016. Via,...

What the Most Successful People Do in the Evening

If you Google “morning routine”, you will receive around 20 million results in less than 62 seconds. Morning routines create productive days and happier people. They allow the busy mom to meet her deadlines or the CEO to prepare for the day filled with meetings, yet they both make it home for dinner.

But having a strong morning routine is only half the equation. A strong morning routine starts with having a strong evening routine.

A Powerful Evening Blasts off Your Morning

Benjamin Franklin has famously asked himself each evening,

“What good have I done today? What good shall I do this day?”

By asking himself these two questions, Benjamin Franklin could reflect on what worked and what did not work. He could reflect in gratitude and saw his accomplishments and then set himself up for success the first thing in the morning.

In fact, these are the two characteristics of having a strong evening routine:

  • Reflecting and winding down for the day.
  • Creating a follow-up plan for tomorrow.

An evening routine like this helps you focus on the positive outcomes and it also helps you wind down from the day. You are able to shut your electronics and your mind off.

You know exactly what you are working on tomorrow and you can let your subconscious mind take over to problem solve for you while you sleep.

The Evening Routine of Successful People

When we look at successful people like Benjamin Franklin, Arianna Huffington and even Ludwig Van Beethoven we can see that going to bed early and waking up earlier was key to their success.

They were up and working on their careers before the world started around them. This freed up their minds to focus on what truly matters and they could take action each and everyday toward their goals.

It is with this consistency in routine that they were able to reach success.

Arianna Huffington sips tea, takes a bath and doesn’t allow electronics in the room at night. She is very methodical in her routine. This routine allows her body to shut down and focus on what matters—sleep. She discusses this in depth in her book The Sleep Revolution.

Ludwig Van Beethoven was in bed by 10pm each night allowing himself to wake up and get right to work on his art.

An Unnoticeable Change with a Significant Result

Creating an evening routine is about changing habits.

When I started an evening routine, I went from staying up late (11 pm) and eating pints of ice cream because my kids were finally asleep, to going to bed at 9pm and not eating past 6:30pm. It was a drastic change but it didn’t happen overnight. In fact, I started with one simple shift and added more over time.

Often, we want to bite off more than we can chew and will never reach our goals. I knew that by changing my habits I could build an evening routine for myself that would allow me to reach my definition of success.

I started with going to bed earlier, this required me to shut off electronics sooner and pick up a book. I then shifted my meals naturally and even stopped drinking caffeine at 11am each day.

This became a natural domino effect. Having an evening routine can change the structure of your day. It opens up a lot of space for you to take action instead of sitting back and letting life pass you by.

Anytime I wanted to fall back on old habits, I would connect to the benefits of change and would look at the success of others and remind myself that it was their routines that gave them the space to change the world. If you look for tricks to prevent yourself from falling back on bad habits, read this: How to Program Your Mind to Kick the Bad Habit

Start Small and Start Simple

Your evening routine doesn’t have to be complicated and extreme. Each step in the right direction gets you closer to success.

There is something romantic about being a night owl but studies have shown that the success comes from going to bed early.[1] Yet, it isn’t just about going to bed early, it is what you do in the evenings that also matter. For example, reading a book and shutting down electronics, or spending time with family and in gratitude.

If you are ready to get more done and see success start with your evening routine, follow these steps:

  1. Go to bed and wake up early (and at the same time) every day.
  2. Shut down the electronics at least an hour before bed, and read or spend time with family.
  3. Reflect on what worked and what did not work every night.
  4. Create your plan for the next morning.
  5. Hit the pillow.

These five steps will help you wind down and allow your mind to make the shift to bedtime. You can let your subconscious mind work on the plans the next morning while you get a good night’s sleep.

Evening routines gives you the structure to build better habits and better habits create success.

Reference

[1] Forbes: Benefits of Early Risers

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10 Cool Office Gadgets That Will Make Your Work Desk Organized And Boost Your Productivity

You spend the majority of your waking hours at work. In fact, 80% of your time is spent in front of your work desk!

So, what can you do to make that time more enjoyable? Get comfortable! Having a comfortable working environment has a huge impact on your happiness. “Who can be comfortable at work?”, you ask. Anybody can! It just takes a little organization.

An added benefit of being organized is that you increase your productivity as well. You see, your brain has to work overtime just to ignore the disorganization surrounding you. Get rid of that clutter and your brain can focus on other things, like work! Read more about How Clutter Drains Your Brain, And What You Can Do About It.

Not sure where to start? Don’t worry. Lifehack has handpicked 10 cool office gadgets to help you freshen up your work desk and boost your productivity.

1. Base Magnetized Wood Cable Tidy

Most computer cables fall off the desktop and onto the floor easily, or you may find yourself crawling under your desk more than once a week to retrieve your charger. All that is over with one of many cool office gadgets, the Base Magnetized Wood Cable Tidy. This visually appealing accessory has a magnet inside to hold your cables in place, keeping them off the floor.

The Base Magnetized Wood Cable Tidy is a stylish addition to your desktop. The product is made of beautiful walnut wood and offers you a choice of shapes: circle, triangle, pentagon, or square.

Base Magnetized Wood Cable Tidy, $35

2. Flat Panel Monitor Riser with 3 Drawers

You may find a lot of loose paperclips, post-its, pens, and highlighters around your work desk. Hide that clutter away in the Flat Panel Monitor Riser Stand Space Saving Workstation. These cool office gadgets raise your computer monitor to a comfortable height, preventing you from hunching forward to see the screen correctly.

The Flat Panel Monitor Riser has a minimalist, modern design that makes your desk look sleeker. Its 3 drawers are the perfect place to store the bits and ends that make their way onto your desktop everyday. This accessory is also stackable if you need more than 3 drawers.

Flat Panel Monitor Riser Stand Space Saving Workstation & Multi-Purpose Organizer with 3 Drawers, $45.99

3. DeskView Lightweight Standing Desk

The unique design of the DeskView Lightweight Standing Desk allows you to set up your workstation along any window in your office. If you’re tired of sitting at the computer all day with a boring office view, move your workstation with this lightweight standing desk. Just carry the standing desk to the window and attach it to the glass with suction cups. Voila!

The desk surface is small and lightweight, making it perfect for travel. Its surface is large enough for a laptop, a few pens, and a notepad.

Deskview Lightweight Standing Desk, $170

4. Satechi F3 Smart Monitor Stand with Four USB 3.0 Ports and Headphone / Microphone Extension Ports

The tekbotic USB 3.0 Monitor Stand Hub lifts your computer monitor up off your desktop, freeing space underneath to store your keyboard. Raising your monitor up to eye level provides you with a more ergonomic workstation, reducing neck strain and back pain.

This gadget is also equipped with a por for 4 USB connections and microphone ports.

Satechi F3 Smart Monitor Stand with Four USB 3.0 Ports and Headphone / Microphone Extension Ports, $47.99

5. Standing Desktop Converter with Monitor Shelf

It could be tiring when you’re sitting all day in front of the work desk. When you feel the need to get up and stretch your legs while you’re at work, this Standing Desktop Converter with Monitor Shelf helps you do just that. This accessory can be assembled in less than 5 minutes. Just set it on top of your current workstation, lose the chair, and get to work.

The Standing desktop Converter with Monitor Shelf lifts your workspace surface and comes with an additional tier for computer monitor placement. It’s a sturdy, yet lightweight, addition to your office.

Standing Desktop Converter with Monitor Shelf, $84.99

6. Surpahs Natural Bamboo Monitor Raiser Stand

Having good posture at the office is one of the biggest battles you have to face. Fortunately, the Surpahs Natural Bamboo Monitor Raiser helps you do just that. This product lifts your monitor up off your desktop, making room for keyboard storage underneath.

The Surpahs Natural Bamboo Monitor Raiser helps bring a little bit of the outside in, giving your desk an outdoorsy and relaxing feel. Made of strong bamboo board, this accessory can support up to 100 pounds.

Surpahs Natural Bamboo Monitor Raiser Stand, $19.98

7. Logitech Rechargeable Trackpad for Mac

The Logitech Rechargeable Trackpad works up to a range of 30 feet from your workstation. It is compatible with Mac devices and has a comfortable glass top that makes multi-touch control easy. Its low-profile design brings a modern look to your desk and blends perfectly with your Mac computer.

If you prefer using the trackpad at your desk, just connect it to your computer so it can charge while you work!

Logitech Rechargeable Trackpad for Mac, $90

9. YOUMI Multi-Function Stereo Bluetooth Wooded Environmental Speaker Wireless Charger

If you prefer the look of wood in your office, the YOUMI Multi-Function Stereo is the perfect gadget. This bluetooth wireless speaker has the latest Bluetooth 4.0 technology, giving you a range of 33 feet.

The YOUMI offers several functions, including: a thermometer, clock, alarm, and Qi wireless charger. Additionally, it has built-in sensory touch buttons that let it maintain a clean line to keep your office looking modern and organized.

YOUMI Multi-Function Stereo Bluetooth Wooded Environmental Speaker Wireless Charger, $65.99

9. Wood Headphones Stand – Genuine Walnut Finish

If your headphones just sit on the side of your desk in a disorganized heap of cables and earpieces, your problem is solved with the Wood Headphones Stand.

This gadget has a beautiful, genuine walnut finish and adds a little style to your desk, while keeping your headphones neatly organized. Its design is complete with a rubber base that prevents it from slipping all over your desktop.

Wood Headphones Stand/Hanger/Holder Genuine Walnut Finish, $19.99

10. Multi-Use Everyday Dusting Brush

One of the best ways to achieve an organized look is by keeping everything in and around your desk clean. The Multi-Use Everyday Dusting Brush is the perfect gadget to help you achieve a dust-free workstation.

The Multi-Use Everyday Dusting Brush has 2 sides to serve multiple purposes. On one side of the brush are loops of microfiber that make cleaning vents and window blinds easy. On the other side is a small brush, perfect for brushing the crumbs out of your keyboard.

Multi-Use Everyday Dusting Brush, $17.31

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