All Questions
13
votes
5answers
6k views
How to use Remember The Milk (RTM) to implement a GTD system?
How can the Remember The Milk (RTM) task management system be used to implement the Getting Things Done system?
66
votes
13answers
2k views
How do I deal with distractions when working on a computer?
I spend most of my working day on a computer and know that when I am "in the zone" I am extremely productive. Getting to "the zone" is very dependent upon the task itself and environmental distraction ...
6
votes
4answers
618 views
How to multi-task in real life?
I am finding it difficult to concentrate on different things. Whenever I do something I just get concentrated on that and all other things fall apart. As an engineering student, I have to manage ...
55
votes
31answers
7k views
Which computer-based Pomodoro timers exist and what are their features?
I'm looking for computer-based The Pomodoro Technique timers with rational that provide cross-platform compatibility, it should not be restricted to a single Windows edition. Currently, I'm using ...
27
votes
13answers
1k views
How can I improve my handwriting?
My productivity is hampered by the poor quality of my handwriting. Nobody else can read it, and even I struggle at times. I usually compensate by typing things, but sometimes handwriting is ...
17
votes
3answers
2k views
How do I properly integrate The Pomodoro Technique with GTD?
The Pomodoro Technique isn't merely about setting up a timer and working for 25 minutes. To truly benefit from the technique one must look at how to spend those 25-minute blocks across tasks. This ...
11
votes
6answers
703 views
How do you manage information/resources?
I've tried many different approaches to task management, but I always fail at one specific thing.
Being a programmer, I have loads of information that needs to be somehow stored. To be more ...
12
votes
10answers
1k views
Windows Freeware/Shareware programs for tracking daily tasks?
I once had a cool little Java program that allowed me to name each task, and toggle back and forth between tasks to track the time spent on each. At the end of the day I could export the data and ...
18
votes
7answers
2k views
How to use GTD both at home and at work
I'd like to use GTD, but work in an office away from home. I rarely take work home with me, but sometimes, for example, bring bills to be paid to work with me. I would especially like to hear from ...
14
votes
10answers
1k views
Is there a proven method for managing emails?
I find I often have an overflowing email inbox. Are there any methods or systems to help efficiently and effectively filter through, sort, and reply to emails?
52
votes
10answers
2k views
How can I improve reading speed and comprehension?
How can I improve my reading ability? I want to increase my reading speed and comprehension.
Do you have experience in increasing your reading. What did work for you? Which approaches failed?
44
votes
9answers
3k views
Gamification to improve myself
I'm currently working out a way to gamify my daily work / life.
I want to reward myself via a points system, assigning points to tasks I should do but tend to neglect.
These are things like paying ...
45
votes
15answers
3k views
How do I make myself stop doing addictive activity?
Some examples of such activity:
browsing this site without a particular goal
browsing your friends' profiles on social networks
reading news
hugging with you spouse (endlessly)
watching TV
You can ...
37
votes
14answers
2k views
What FUTURE-PROOF software for building & managing a personal BIG knowledge base?
There are some questions similar to this. But i would like to know, what software one should choose, if you go to university for example and are building a knowlegde base of everything you learn & ...
31
votes
22answers
2k views
How do I get more productive from using keyboard shortcuts?
I am constantly stunned by how few people use keyboard shortcuts, because I've always felt that people who have internalized a core set realize a significant productivity boost.
How do I get better ...
37
votes
11answers
2k views
How effective is the Dvorak keyboard at improving productivity?
How effective is the Dvorak keyboard layout (or other alternative layouts) at improving efficiency/productivity at the computer? Has any research been done on improved typing speed or productivity?
24
votes
9answers
2k views
What is the linkage between “next actions” and “projects” in GTD?
Getting Things Done (GTD) defines a "project" as anything that will take more than one action to be considered complete. "Next action" items, with a specific context, are kept handy so that when an ...
16
votes
11answers
755 views
Where should I store good advice?
I sometimes come across good advice like 11 Essential Habits for Success or How To Listen Effectively, and I can't use it immediately but I like it enough to want to keep it around.
However, if I ...
7
votes
5answers
799 views
Summary of Getting Things Done (GTD) system
Getting Things Done (GTD) has an entire book to teach the system. Is reading the whole book necessary for understanding the system, or is there a summary or simplified explanation of it available?
20
votes
7answers
791 views
Would improving my penmanship improve my productivity?
I'm not... good with a pen. Years of hastily-scribbled notes and quality time spent with my trusty Model-M have left my penmanship in a sorry state; it's not completely illegible when I take the time ...
7
votes
4answers
604 views
How to focus on a long class?
I'm a college student who finds it very easy to be distracted. One important sentence missed means I'll have trouble understanding the rest of the class. Sometimes this can be solved by asking someone ...
7
votes
2answers
1k views
Which one to use - Evernote or One Note [closed]
Since long time I am using evernote and one note. Now the problem is that my notes are distributed among two applications. I want to narrow down to one place where I can keep all my notes.
However, ...
3
votes
7answers
470 views
What is recommended reading if I'm interested in increasing my productivity? [closed]
If I'm interested in increasing my personal productivity, what publications or books should I read based on reviews and number of copies sold?
71
votes
19answers
4k views
Does listening to music help or hurt productivity?
Listening to music while working: does this help productivity, hurt productivity, or depend on [fill in the blank]? What has research concluded if anything?
(Assume the use of a personal headset or ...
31
votes
13answers
2k views
How can I improve my memory?
How can I improve my memory so that I can remember more, faster... learn faster...?
I know some people are auditory learners, others visual... but once you figure out which one you are, how do you ...
35
votes
18answers
6k views
How to turn off your brain so you can have a peaceful night's sleep
I have great difficulty stopping to think of things I'm doing at bedtime. Whenever my night's sleep is bad, my day is much less productive. I try to compensate by drinking coffee, but this only works ...
19
votes
9answers
2k views
How to motivate people to self-improve themselves?
I'm the curious type of person that likes to learn more, do things in less time, do things better, etc. I take that as a personal challenge and I honestly love it. Of course, it IS a challenge, not ...
37
votes
6answers
3k views
Does Uberman's Sleep Schedule result in more productivity?
Most people sleep using a Monophasic circadian rhythm sleep schedule, where they go to sleep in the late evening and wake up in the morning, which results in about 8 hours of sleep and 16 hours of ...
19
votes
10answers
597 views
Methods for reducing time spent in meetings
One of the biggest hits to productivity is time lost in meetings.
Are there any methods to avoid unnecessary meetings and improving the productivity of the meetings that are held?
17
votes
8answers
2k views
My thoughts distract me, how do I keep my focus?
I recently started working full-time as a software developer. [potentially unnecessary background info here]
I've always had a problem focusing. It's very difficult for me to push down my curiosity ...
13
votes
6answers
641 views
Can reading electronic displays be made more comfortable?
We all have to handle large amounts of information on a daily basis, but some of us find it hard to focus on the information displayed on electronic devices. It's easy to read through tens of pages in ...
34
votes
7answers
2k views
Doesn't the Pomodoro Technique break the flow?
I just started using the Pomodoro Technique yesterday.
In my first few trials I've noticed that since this technique requires you to stop working at defined intervals, it can easily break your state ...
15
votes
4answers
520 views
What are some of the techniques on increasing memory stamina?
Maybe it is my age (approaching 41), but my short term memory isn't as good as it was when I was younger. As such, I feel that my level of productivity is suffering. I am looking for ways to increase ...
11
votes
10answers
3k views
Best headphones/earplugs to drown out loud nearby conversations [closed]
I'm a programmer in an environment where people talk loudly. Nearby passionate conversations can be distracting when i need to concentrate.
I'm sure I'm not alone. What headphones/earplugs would ...
17
votes
4answers
704 views
What nutrition is best to stay productive throughout the day?
I read in Steve Jobs's book that he used to avoid coffee during the week and drink lots of water to remain productive and energetic throughout the day.
I would like to know what food and beverages to ...
14
votes
5answers
339 views
Loud conversations in workplace
I work in a small room with 9 people, and the area is completely open (think school classroom). People are frequently having loud conversations and I am unable to concentrate when writing code (I am ...
11
votes
4answers
401 views
How to implement a behaviour of discipline
Discipline is -at least in my opinion- the key to changing behaviours and increasing productivity. Pomodoro, GTD as well as other techniques are methods that need discipline in order to consistently ...
10
votes
7answers
273 views
What approach is good? First getting job done then improve or the other?
I have a question for a long time. I am very much bothered by this one. The question is "What approach is good in doing job? Is it first getting the job works, then improve it over time, or You should ...
9
votes
5answers
893 views
What should I do with my 30min break using the Pomodoro Technique
The 5 minute breaks in between Pomodoros are short and give me a breather. However, every time I go on the 30 minute breaks after 4 Pomodoros, I always feel I could be doing something really ...
15
votes
9answers
758 views
How do I get my motivation going?
Often, tasks are delayed till a reasonable time before the deadline. Just because you feel like you can do it later; so, you are basically procrastinating by surfing the web, chatting with people, ...
3
votes
6answers
807 views
What are the (dis)advantages of Mindmap software?
Anyone with experiences on mindmap software? I've used Freemind and iMindmap for a while.
What are do you consider strong and weak points of the mindmap programs?
Freemind is as the name already ...
13
votes
8answers
630 views
How to prevent oneself from feeling overwhelmed?
Sometimes, there are a lot of things that you are expected to do and you just don't know where to begin.
You feel like you are being overwhelmed with a lot of tasks and deadlines.
How should one ...
13
votes
4answers
428 views
Has research been done between messiness on a desk and productivity?
Is there any correlation / linkages between productivity (whether it is digital or paper-based) and the tidiness or messiness of the desk?
I love looking at other people's work spaces and I generally ...
9
votes
3answers
241 views
How can I decide when it's worth it to spend money to save time?
I've recently started thinking that I should spend more money in order to save time. Examples of this include:
paying to get my laundry done instead of doing it myself
sometimes taking a taxi ...
5
votes
3answers
631 views
Peer review: my personal productivity system.
I would like to tell you about my personal productivity system and get your opinion, since I think it could be enhanced, but right now I do not know how would I do it.
Ok, so I have all information ...
9
votes
4answers
354 views
What techniques or approaches can help me get started with mind mapping?
I've read descriptions of mind mapping before, and understand the basic concepts of the system (nonlinear, graphical representation of thoughts.) I've even read the descriptions of how mind maps are ...
6
votes
2answers
480 views
How to avoid mind drifting while listening?
While talking to someone at work or even on the phone I often find myself drifting off where my attention wanders off. This happens even during short say 5 ~ 10 minute conversations.
If while talking ...
104
votes
31answers
4k views
How to prevent oneself from lounging around in bed, instead of getting out of it and starting the day?
I find that I often wake up at a decent time, but don't get out of bed immediately. This results in me falling asleep again for another hour. This process might repeat itself once or twice, resulting ...
37
votes
21answers
3k views
Always sleepy, tired and not focused
I sleep about 7 hours every night. But I am always sleepy. What can I do in order to stay awake and productive all day long?
Update:
I wake up only with an alarm clock and when I wake up I am still ...
23
votes
6answers
2k views
How to improve Self-Discipline?
What are some specific set of behaviors that lead to self-discipline. Preferably backed by studies/research or confident experience.
What I am trying to achieve is be able to work a specific number ...
