Productivity Don’ts: Things to Stop Doing
Posted on June 7, 2007 by LJ Earnest
Categories: Productivity,Techniques
In the 17 Things you Should Stop Doing at Productivity501 article, Mark Shead gives a list of 17 items he thinks you should stop doing, with the thought that stopping these actions will increase productivity.
I can agree with most of these, particularly:
4. Looking for your Keys or Cellphone נAlways put them in the same place (hook by the door, etc).
and
5. Unpacking your Laptop Power Adaptor נIf you go from work to home with your laptop, get an extra adaptor for each work area so you donӴ have to unpack and crawl under the desk each time.
These two items highlight two of my personal maxims: have a place for things and keep them in it; and keep supplies where you need them. Both boil down to having things where they are supposed to be when you need them. If you always had cleaning supplies at hand, wouldn’t you clean more often? If you always knew where your keys were, would you have an easier time getting out the door?
Some of the items I disagree with, particularly the
8. Losing Telephone Numbers נYour cell phone should sync with your computer. We are past the days where a phone only held 25 numbers. If someone calls, take the few seconds to record their name in your phone, so it will be transfered next time you sync your computer.
Sorry, my cell phone only dials numbers, no fancy stuff for me here. And that means no syncing. Also,
9. Commuting to College נTake your classes online. Spend your commute time studying instead of driving.
I’ll admit that I think there is something to be gained by attending a brick-and-mortar institution. There is something in the give and take of students that adds to the classroom experience. It is much more difficult to meet studying partners online.
Are there other things I would add to the list? Absolutely.
- Stop surfing. Unless you have something specific to look for, surfing the web can suck up large amounts of time. Give it up.
- Stop subscribing to magazines you have a marginal interest in. If the magazines are piling up, don’t kid yourself that you’ll get around to them. Stop getting them and save yourself the time you worry about not reading them.
What are your favorite don’ts?
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Comments (5)
I enjoyed reading your thoughts on my list.
Just out of curiosity what model cell phone do you have? I have seen very few that don’t support some type of transfer to a computer that have come out in the last 3 years or so.
Also regarding the idea of taking college online, I completely agree with the idea that the interaction from a classroom is vital–particularly if you are getting your first college degree. I should have clarified the suggestion with the idea of using online classes for life long learning. I have been enrolled in some type of college classes since 1994. My first two degrees were done on location. However, as I continue to pursue my education, I’ve found that online classes (particularly from high quality universities) let me continue to work, live where I want, and spend time with family while continuing to grow.
For a cell phone, I have a Nokia 6610. I can push numbers to it through my provider’s website, but not sync.
When I dropped my old phone and cracked the display beyond usability, the salesperson was dismayed when I told him that I wanted a replacement phone that did nothing but make phone calls. And it had to be a Nokia so I could use all my old chargers. He was just itching to show me the latest and greatest!
Out of curiosity, what is your take on the for-profit “universities” that are springing up everywhere?
I’ve given up on earning more degrees, but I love the online courses I have found. Have you looked at the MIT courses (http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Global/all-courses.htm )?
I’m pretty sure that the 6610 has an IR port that can be used to sync your computer if you get right software. Maybe I’m getting it confused with a different phone, but I know I’ve seen people saying they keep their calendar and contacts synced using a 6610 this way. It can probably be done with a cable as well.
Regarding the Universities: I assume you are talking about places like Capella.edu and University of Phoenix. I think some of them are decent, but a lot of them are junk. Some are basically diploma mills with a website. If your schools is only accredited by some organization in the Bahamas, you should be concerned. I think Capella is pretty good (but very expensive) and UoP is ok from what I’ve seen. (This is more of based on looking at their teacher requirements than any actual experience.)
They might be a good way for someone to get a little additional education around a busy work schedule. Most of the ones that aren’t blatant diploma mills probably have a place. I’m not impressed with junior college education as a terminal degree, but there are some people for whom it is perfect. Some of the new online for profit universities might be useful to some groups and situations.
My biggest problem is that many of the people who are going to try to get a degree from UoP, don’t have enough experience to really understand the difference in quality between different schools. The other problem I have is that a bunch of bad online schools will make the good schools more hesitant about creating online offerings.
Personally, if I’m going to spend the time to get another degree, I’ll do it at the best school that offers the program I’m looking for. The whole idea of online education is so you can take classes from an institution that isn’t nearby. Stanford, Columbia, and Harvard all have strong online distance education programs and I’ve seen some state universities are starting to offer programs.
Harvard’s program is really good if they offer study in an area you want. I’m finishing up a master’s degree with them and I’ve been very very impressed.
MIT’s courseware is an interesting idea–especially if you are a teacher and want to get an idea of how things are done at MIT. I wish they would allow people to actually take the classes online.
I agree with you 100% on the for-profit universities. It’s just the last time I spoke it aloud I was told I was elitist
I did my undergraduate at a one of the top 10 universities in my field, and when I did consider doing my master’s, I looked at several institutions…all brick-and-mortar non-profits with an online presence. At this point in my life I’m not looking for another degree in my field, but should I choose to switch, I would definitely go with a non-profit. I am still of the school that believes a diploma from a long-standing school with a good reputation *and accreditation* will trump a degree from Joe’s University. (I guess that’s why I was called elitist).