Ted.com
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Have you seen this website?! These videos are enlightening, thought-provoking, overwhelming, and just about any other adjective I can use. Just amazing will do. They call them riveting. It works for me. Check them out.
Knowledge shared
By · CommentsWe can no longer hoard bits of information to establish our power base. We are knowledge workers and our challenge is to find ways to share that knowledge so that it adds value for our clients and customers.
Work stuff
By · CommentsI know I’ve neglected posting here…I’ve been busy doing things for my real job! I would love for you to check out our Facebook page and our YouTube video. You’ll see I really have been busy. If you like them, please give them a Like.
Setting Tabs
By · CommentsAges ago I did a video on how to set tabs in Microsoft Word 2003. I’m experimenting with YouTube so I’ve uploaded the clip. And, since it’s basically the same in the current version of Word, it might be helpful.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
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As one who is recovering from the treatment for breast cancer, I thank everyone who supports this cause.
What are you doing differently?
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What are you doing now that you weren’t doing a year ago? Or, what are you doing differently? What have you stopped doing? If you answer nothing to any of these, it’s time to make some changes. Technology changes things so fast it’s hard to keep up. You don’t have to stay current in everything. But, you don’t want to be left behind either. Find at least one or two new things to do every year.
Obviously, social media is changing the dynamics of communications so that is one area you have to watch.
Another less obvious way is to try new software. Sometimes we get comfortable with a tool and just keep using it. It might be a great tool. But, there might be a tool out there that does more of what we’re really needing to do. You can get trial versions of just about anything so experiment.
Another idea is to learn new features of the tools you’re already using. Have you upgraded a program like Microsoft Office? Other than getting used to that blasted ribbon (I still don’t like that thing), have you looked to see what new features came with it? Have you learned how to customize the Quick Access Toolbar? That has made the transition a lot less painful for me. One new feature in Word that you may find useful is the Navigation Pane. In Excel, I especially like how much easier it is to do conditional formatting.
The major new program I’ve started using is the Personal Brain. I’ve looked at it numerous times over the years but was never quite ready to make the plunge. This year I did. I’m really enjoying having one place to store all of my ideas, references, projects, tasks, etc. Here is an example of one of my brains in progress.
So, what are you doing differently? What new thing have you found that has made a difference?
A few definitions to ponder…
By · CommentsConservative: Favoring traditional views and values; tending to oppose change. Traditional or restrained in style: a conservative dark suit. Moderate; cautious: a conservative estimate. (From The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company)
Liberal: Not limited to or by established, traditional, orthodox, or authoritarian attitudes, views, or dogmas; free from bigotry. Favoring proposals for reform, open to new ideas for progress, and tolerant of the ideas and behavior of others; broad-minded. (From The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company)
Fascism: A system of government that exercises a dictatorship of the extreme right, typically through the merging of state and business leadership, together with belligerent nationalism. (From The American Heritage® Dictionary, Copyright 1986)
Buying new hardware
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There is never an ideal time to get new hardware and software–it will always take time away from other tasks to learn to use it. So, if you’re going to invest the time and money in a new system, find a new use. For example, I got a new computer to create videos (it requires more computer power than my old one had).
My suggestion when buying hardware, is first to know what you are going to do with the it (possible uses, too), then find the software that will do those tasks. The software will tell you what hardware you need. Get one level higher than you need right now to allow room to grow.
And, before getting rid of an old computer, make sure you fully wipe the hard drive with a software shredder (not just delete files). Identity thieves have discovered the wealth of information that can be recovered from old disks.
Ergonomics
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People can develop stiffness, back pain, tight joints, poor circulation, and repetitive strain injuries (such as carpal tunnel syndrome) using the computer. Here are a few ergonomic tips to avoid all that.
- Your monitor should be slightly below eye level. Give your eyes a rest. Take a break from staring at your screen regularly. Focus your eyes on something off in the distance periodically.
- Don’t forget to give your wrists a break! Use wrist pads, ergonomic keyboards, and proper typing position.
- Use proper typing technique (keep your wrists up) and take a 5-minute break every half-hour of typing. Take a stretch break every hour.
- Use ergonomic furniture and accessories.
What ergonomic tips do you have to share?
Unhurried, unharried…
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“There’s more to life than increasing its speed” ~Gandhi~
As someone who works with technology, a lot of my efforts are aimed at doing things faster so we can do more in less time. While one advantage of this is freeing up some time for personal pursuits, often it is used to just do more.
Unfortunately, I understand the need to do ever-increasing amounts of work in the same amount of time. But, after the major health issues I’ve had, my top priority is to reduce stress. So, I remind myself of Gandhi’s words and remember that some things need to be done at a leisurely pace, unhurried and unharried. … That is one of the cues I have for myself – am I trying to hurry so much I feel harried? If so, I stop. Because when I reach that point, I know I’m making mistakes and missing all kinds of things. And, ultimately, it will take me longer because of the fixes I have to do.
The other part of feeling so hurried I get harried is the impact on my relationships. I’m sure you’ve all had the experience of trying to hurry someone along. All it seems to do is slow them down. Everyone loses. Another of my priorities is to be fully present with a person. I want to give them my complete attention. I know of no better way to show someone I care about them and respect them. I can’t do that if I’m feeling hurried and harried. … Give it a try and see if it makes a difference in your relationships.