Newest Free Mac Apps for Better Productivity
We all have trouble focusing from time to time. With the massive time waster that is the Internet tempting us with endless pages of Lolcats, YouTube videos, social-networking sites and Netflix, it is practically turning us all into creatures with the attention span of a goldfish. When was the last time you actually got through a task without checking Facebook? Or sending a text? I bet you can’t even remember.
It is no surprise that an avalanche of free applications has been released by developers for the Mac that helps to combat the lack of productivity that sometimes occurs in our everyday lives. Whether the issue is that there isn’t enough time in a day to get it all done or you just don’t seem to know where the time is going, these apps can help. [Read more]
Productivity Tips For Bloggers From a Bestselling Author
Steven Pressfield is great example of perseverance for anyone in the creative field including bloggers. His first couple novels never saw print. But he kept at it and 17 years after his college graduation, he finally got a book published and received a paycheck. His later books became bestsellers.
In this podcast interview, he gives a couple productivity tips that have really helped me in my blogging.
The Writer Life is a Battle
At 1:41 of the podcast, Pressfield talks about the writing process as a war. To succeed, you have to have similar qualities of a good warrior; qualities like courage, patience, and long-suffering. He brings up the image of an infantryman that’s gaining ground on the enemy slowly but surely. In the day to day struggle, writing is like that.
This principle has helped me realize that blogging is hard work. Sure, there are days when the words come easily and I knock out a quality post in a couple of minutes. But those days are few and far between. Usually, it takes me awhile to get going. My first few sentences are pretty bad and I have to struggle to stay focused on finishing the post. By the time the post is done, I’m satisfied but I’m mentally tired.
Resistance is the Enemy
At 14:25, the interviewer quotes Pressfield’s book The War of Art:
There’s a secret that real writers know that wannabe writers don’t and the secret is this: it’s not the writing part that’s hard. What’s hard is sitting down to write. What keeps us from sitting down is Resistance.
Pressfield goes on to talk about Resistance as the negative force that rises up whenever we want to start a creative task. Resistance shows up in many forms: procrastination, self-sabotage, excuses we make up, reasons we give ourselves that we’re not good enough, self doubt, etc. The most important thing for a writer to do is overcome Resistance.
Pressfield says that Resistance comes to us in negative voices. Our task is to ignore the voices and realize that they are bulls**t. They are keeping us from making progress.
I found this principle very helpful because it showed me that I’m not alone in the creative struggle. If a bestselling author has to deal with Resistance, then I will have to deal with it too.
Also, by identifying the enemy, Pressfield helped me not to be surprised by Resistance. I am prepared to deal with it because I know it’s there.
Turn Pro and Stop Being an Amateur
At 25:00, Pressfield gives a great metaphor for overcoming Resistance. He says we have to “turn pro.” When we see ourselves as amateurs, we will yield to Resistance when our circumstances become tough or distractions come up.
But if we think of ourselves as pros, we’ll have the mindset to carve out daily time to pursue our creative endeavors. As pros, we won’t give in to external influences.
Pressfield brings up Kobe Bryant. During the season, his knees may hurt and his back may be sore, but he still suits up and plays in the game. Pros like him don’t make excuses. They see their task as a job instead of a hobby.
Pressfield says a mysterious thing begins to happen when we turn pro. Inspiration starts to flow regularly as we persevere and make it a habit to work on our craft daily.
Further Information
Make sure to listen to the whole interview where Pressfield has more advice for writers. Check out his book The War of Art for an in-depth treatment about productivity and overcoming procrastination in the creative process. Also, he started a new blog, which includes writing tips.
Performancing offers blog management services.
Blogging through a power cut: plan ahead to minimise downtime
Just as some computer users (not you of course) don’t do regular backups, it’s easy to take for granted everything we require to do our job as bloggers and so not plan for problems.
If blogging is your business, you’ll want to think about what to do when the lights go out.
Some basic things you’ll want to consider are:
- Computer equipment
- Internet connection
- Communication with others
- Maximizing productivity
- Use the cloud and keep it local
- Power restored
1. Computer Equipment
Are you prepared for what happens when your computer shuts down unexpectedly due to power loss?
Though modern software and hardware is generally very good at recovering after a power cut (there’s even an option on most operating systems to restart automatically after power failure) it’s still wise to prepare.
If you’re using a desktop computer, you’ll lose power instantly unless you’ve invested in a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply). These vary in cost depending on how long you want them to supply power to equipment, and to how many items, but a small investment could at least give you time to save work and shut down the computer safely before all power is lost.
If you’re using a laptop computer, even directly powered from the mains, then you should be able to work from the battery pack, though you may notice a reduction in performance depending on your power settings.
Consider how much equipment you need to protect, what your budget is, and plan accordingly. If your area is prone to power loss, even momentary, then investing in this way will save you from hardware failure and software/data problems in the long run.
Don’t forget external hard drives and other devices that don’t like to have power cut when in operation.
2. Internet Connection
If you’re on any type of broadband connection and use a router or cable modem to access the Net, it’s likely you’ll lose use of that as well, even if you can still work from your laptop.
Most broadband users don’t have a dial-up account any more (you may not even have an internal modem on your laptop) but if you do it may be worth having an “emergency” number you can use to access important services (albeit much more slowly) if your main Net connection dies.
Alternatively, make sure you know how to access Internet and email services from your mobile phone. You should still have basic network coverage (HSDPA / 3G or even EDGE).
Consider installing and setting up a blogging application, or at least bookmarking the web address of your blog’s control panel, ahead of time so that you’re not trying to recall them from memory when you need them.
If the power loss is localized, consider visiting a friend, a library or an Internet café so that you can continue to work either from your own machine or elsewhere.
3. Communication With Others
If you work on a collaborative blog, or have other people you need to let know that you won’t be blogging (at full speed), ensure you have contact numbers / email addresses / Twitter access so that you can get the word out.
It may be obvious to you why you’re not posting, but not everyone will know what’s happened even if you tweet about it.
Don’t forget good old-fashioned means of communication — your telephone probably still works.
4. Maximizing Productivity
It can be frustrating not to be connected to the Internet 24/7, or to have access to your computer, but don’t forget that blogging is much more than that.
If you have limited or mobile access to the Net, do some basic housekeeping like cleaning and replying to comments or sending an email to another blogger.
If you have computer access but no Net access, brainstorm post ideas, write article drafts, create graphics and photos for articles, or brush up on your editorial calendar.
If you have no web or PC access, use a notepad and pen to brainstorm ideas, go for a walk and take some photos, or use the time to simply relax a little.
You may even find that the loss of power offers you some inspiration for a future blog post!
5. Use the Cloud and Keep it Local
Having data stored locally is great when you have use of your primary computer but no Net access.
Having data stored in the Cloud is great when you can gain access to the Net but don’t have use of your home computer.
If you work collaboratively, data stored online is great if you need someone to take work from you.
Find a balance between what you store online and what you store locally so that you can continue to work on something, or have someone else do it.
6. Power Restored
Once the power is restored you may well find that you need to do a few housekeeping tasks before you can get fully back to speed.
Your Internet connection may take a little while to fully function after a power cut. The router may need to run some diagnostic tests, or you may have to reset it.
You may find that your PC also has to run diagnostic tests, possibly repairing files damaged because they were being accessed as the power went out.
A lot of software (Word, for example) will try to restore the most recent automated backups but you may still experience some data loss.
Other software and data may have been corrupted — email folders, for example. Some software automatically repairs damage, whereas other problems may require manual assistance. Make sure you know how to diagnose and repair common software faults.
In severe cases, you may have to restore parts of the system or files from backup. You do keep regular backups, right?
Conclusions
There’s no doubt that losing electricity is a pain when you’re trying to blog, but it doesn’t have to be a disaster.
Plan ahead, and maximize your time during the event, and your blogging shouldn’t suffer.
