February 2012
5 posts
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Save Your Fingers...and Some Time
Automation is one of the keys to minimizing the reactive so that we can focus on the proactive. One of the ways that I automate my workflow is using a program called TextExpander.
TextExpander automates the process of generating certain text that I might type on a regular basis. I’ve automated anything from email signatures, to links, to my home address, to complete emails.
Even...
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“Having a life is largely a process of elimination. Just because you can,...”
– Nathan Holritz
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A Laptop Bag...and My Idea of Freedom
As I write this, I’m sitting in a small cafe on the Sunshine Coast in Australia. Cafes are probably my favorite place to get work done, but in fact, I just love the freedom I feel being able to work from anywhere. For me, it’s part of what having a life means to me: I can travel halfway around the world, and all I need is my laptop, a wifi connection, and I can run my businesses and...
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The Basics of Success in Business
Below is an excerpt from a recent email to a fellow entrepreneur. Though it is written for a photographer, I think the concepts are applicable to business owners in general.
Rather than giving you much specific feedback about your new brand, or specifics on topics like how to price yourself as you try to take your business to the next level, I wanted to suggest some general concepts that need to...
January 2012
11 posts
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Put Your Computer on a Diet
A little while back, we talked about the idea of minimizing, of reducing the amount of moving parts in your personal life and business, in order to have a life. One small step in that direction is using a little program called WhatSize.
WhatSize gives you an overview of what is taking up space on your hard drive. You’ll probably be surprised at how much space is being wasted on your...
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All or Nothing...or Something
Sometimes, whether it’s a work project, or a personal task, something is all we can manage.
I didn’t eat much of anything this morning.
Probably not a big deal for a lot of people, but my body is pretty sensitive to blood sugar levels, and I’m training for the 2012 triathlon season. I need to keep my body fueled.
It came time to get my workout in, and at this point, not only had I missed...
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Evernote (Part 3: When)
When during the work day should you take care of scanning documents into Evernote?
Great question.
Simple answers:
1. Make sure Evernote is installed on your iPhone or Android, so that you can take pictures of receipts on the go. There’s no need to go on a business trip and come back with a stack of receipts to scan. You have the tools to organize on the fly, so use them.
2. Take 5...
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Evernote (Part 2: How)
Ok. So you got Evernote installed on your computer, your phone, and you have a scanner so that you can start moving all of your paper into Evernote.
Now what? How do you manage all of the stuff you’re putting in Evernote?
Let’s keep it simple; two things you need to do:
1. Set up your default folder
My default folder is called “@ To be categorized” (the reason for...
What Scanner Should I Use?
As you’re thinking through the idea of using Evernote, you may be asking, “What scanner should I use?”
I’m going to make it easy for you.
The Fujitsu Scansnap S1300. Small, fast, double-sided scans, and can even be powered simply with a USB connection. It’s also easy to set up the scanning software to scan directly to Evernote!
Here’s a link to Amazon...
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Evernote (Part 1: Why)
I’ve already mentioned Evernote briefly, but I’d like to really delve into the application, and begin doing so by asking, “Why?”
As I see it, Evernote exists for two reasons:
1. Enabling a paperless lifestyle, both at work and on a personal level
2. Giving us a place to dump data
This means three things:
1. From now on, any piece of paper - receipts, bills, articles,...
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Structure? But I'm a Creative!
I can hear the rumblings.
“I’m all for more time, but I’m a creative! Structure kills my style!”
“Outsourcing?! My style is what my clients pay me for!”
Ok. I hear you. So you have a couple of options:
1. Continue to work the way you’re working now, where you’re overwhelmed with everything you have to keep up with, you have no free time, and your...
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The Most Important Component to Having a Life
The main reason that business owners are so stressed as they attempt to manage all they have going on in their personal and business life, is because they’re not taking advantage of one important concept: a system.
My Apple Dictionary defines a system this way:
“A set of principles or procedures according to which something is done; an organized scheme or method”
Systems have...
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More Important than Resolutions
During this time of year, people are spending a lot of time on New Year’s resolutions; I want to suggest that you do something more important:
Establish your Big Picture View (BPV).
You see, it’s difficult to make resolutions of any kind, whether for business or personal reasons, without a Big Picture View of who you are and what you want your future to look like.
In fact,...
December 2011
24 posts
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Painless Bill-Management
There is no reason that you should…
1. Ever forget that a bill is due
2. Ever receive a paper bill in the mail
3. Ever have to write a check to pay a bill
4. Ever have to log into multiple websites to pay various bills
5. Ever misplace copies of old bills when you need them for tax purposes
Ever.
How? Paytrust. Sign up today. It will take some time to set up, but you’ll save...
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Races Booked!
Personally, the process of committing to triathlon has involved different stages.
The first stage was beginning a training program, using a website called Training Peaks. The second was investing in a nice triathlon bike. The third and last stage, which I accomplished earlier this week, was actually booking my main races for 2012.
I’m excited to have actual race dates to work toward! To...
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Minimize
Minimize the number of applications that it takes to get through a workday.
Minimize the number of people and third-party vendors it takes to run your business.
Minimize the number of steps it takes to accomplish a task for your business or your personal life.
Ultimately, if you’re going to have a life, the number of moving parts in your life needs to be minimized.
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Quick Fix: Spotlight or Search
We’re going to deal with the topic of using keyboard shortcuts in detail in a future post, but for now, try something:
The next time you need to open an application on your computer, DON’T drag your mouse to an icon somewhere on your computer and double-click on it. Instead, if you’re on a Windows computer, click on the Windows icon button, start typing the name of the...
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Unsubscribe from Spam
We need to re-define “spam.” Spam is anything coming into your email inbox that isn’t proactive in nature, that doesn’t somehow move your business or personal life forward. Period.
We already talked about turning off email notifications from social media, but let’s take it a step further:
No more emails from third-party vendors.
1. When you shop online, use a...
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Take a Break
In the next couple of weeks, I’m going to be sharing my experience with my new stand-up desk, but in the meantime, here’s a quick-fix for your health:
Take a break.
That’s right. Every hour, get up from you desk, and move around for 5 or 10 minutes. It’s simply not healthy for you to be sitting for hours on end.
You know how you always feel like there’s not...
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Quick Fix: Social Media Email
Want a really easy way to help clear your email inbox? Jump over to Facebook, Twitter, and your other social media outlets. Turn off all email notifications. You’re going to look at your social media apps anyway; there’s no need to look at it all twice.
I just saved you hours of time over the next year.
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How I Chose My Task Management System
I hope that you’ve had an opportunity to start reading Getting Things Done by now. It’s going to make a huge difference in how you manage all that you have to keep up with!
With those principles in mind, you’re going to want to find a good system with which to implement your efforts in task and project management.
So where should you start? Here are some basic guidelines...
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Create a Schedule...Kind Of
It’s 11:44 a.m, I’m just now sitting down in Starbucks to start my work day, and it hit me: I’m trying to get creative work, proactive work done at a point in the day when I’m already past my prime. Enough has already happened in my day that my mind is going in circles, I’m not very focused, and my creative drive is lacking.
If you took the time to read GTD, or...
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A Personal Journey: Triathlon
In the end, ihavealife.com is about freedom; freedom for the business owner to focus on building their business, have time with loved ones, and attain personal goals.
I want to share a little bit about what I’m doing with some of my personal time.
I was a pretty active kid growing up. I played outdoors a good bit, tried basketball, softball, and finally landed on soccer, which I became...
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Book: Getting Things Done
I get it. Everyone has their take on task management. One person tells you to do it this way, another tells you to do it that way. I even have my own take on the topic.
However, if you were to come to me, at a loss as to how to get control of all you have to get done in your personal and business life, and I had to recommend one system, I’d recommend GTD, or Getting Things Done.
...
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Quick Fix: Digital Receipts
Going paperless (and using Evernote for that purpose) is a topic we’ll be covering in more detail in future posts, but you can get started now!
1. Download the Evernote app to your iPhone or Android
2. Create a folder in Evernote called “Receipts 2011”, or if you have multiple businesses, “Receipts [Business Name] 2011”.
3. Every time you use your business...
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Quick Fix - Turn It Off
Do this right now:
1. Turn email notifications off on your phone.
2. Close all email applications and turn off email notifications on your computer(s).
3. Don’t look at email on your phone or computers until 3:00pm today.
Believe it or not, the world will go on. And in the meantime, you’ll be able to focus on those things that will actually move your business and life forward....
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An Irony in Time Management
It takes time to save time. Sometimes.
Sure, the posts here on I Have a Life won’t take any more than 5 minutes to read or watch. From time to time, we’ll also post Quick Fixes, little things you can do to obtain a little more freedom in your life that won’t take any more than 2 or 3 minutes to implement.
But it struck me this week, as I was working more than usual, that...
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Why Outsource or Delegate?
Outsourcing or delegating can be a touchy topic. The idea of giving up control to someone else can be tough, whether it’s post-processing for a wedding photographer, office management for any entrepreneur, or even house cleaning for a stay-at-home mother. It means the task probably won’t be handled exactly the way you would handle it, and that can be discomforting. For a business...
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Partnership with Photographer's Edit
As the mission statement of Photographer’s Edit matches the mission of this blog so closely, I’m excited to announce an ongoing partnership with Photographer’s Edit to work toward helping simplify the lives of wedding photographers so they can focus on the important things in life.
To that regard, we’re going to be sponsoring an exciting contest for Photographer’s Edit clients, giving away a...
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Scan to Your iPhone
The topic of functioning in a paperless environment is a huge topic that we’ll be spending a great deal of time covering on this blog, but until we start delving into that topic, check out this amazing scanner from Doxie that allows you to scan documents directly to your iPhone or iPad!
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The 4 Hour Workweek
When I first read The 4 Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss, I couldn’t help but smile to myself. It was almost like the book was written just for me! He had encapsulated my feelings on streamlining life and work, and yet taken it to a whole new level. I was in love.
If you wanted to peak inside my mind and understand a little bit better how I think and work, read this book. And better yet, if you...
Get a Life!
Do you own a business? Or maybe two, or three, or five? Do you find yourself spending way too much time working and not enough time doing the things you want, or better yet, the things you need to do? Those things that will actually grow your business or get you closer to accomplishing a personal goal? Or maybe just spending time with a loved one?
I get it. I understand what that feels like. And...