Tag Archive for: productivity

Keyboard shortcuts for Mac

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Spend just a little time with practicing keyboard shortcuts and you’ll be forever happy you did !

Command+A Selects all items in the active window
Command+C Copies selected items
Command+D Duplicates the selected item(s)
Command+E Ejects the selected volume
Command+F Displays the Find dialog
Command+H Hides All Finder windows
Command+I Shows info for selected item or items
Command+J Shows the view options for the active window
Command+K Displays the Connect to Server dialog
Command+L Creates an alias for the selected item
Command+M Minimizes the active window
Command+N Opens a new Finder window
Command+O Opens (or launches) the selected item
Command+R Shows the original for selected alias
Command+T Adds the selected item to the Sidebar
Command+V Pastes items from the Clipboard
Command+W Closes the active window
Command+X Cuts the selected items
Command+Z Undoes the last action (if possible)
Command+, Displays Finder Preferences
Command+1 Shows the active window in icon mode
Command+2 Shows the active window in list mode
Command+3 Shows the active window in column mode
Command+4 Shows the active window in cover flow mode
Command+[ Moves back to the previous Finder location
Command+] Moves forward to the next Finder location
Command+Del Moves selected items to the Trash
Command+up-arrow Show enclosing folder
Command+` Cycles through windows
Command+? Displays the Mac OS X Help Viewer
Command+Shift+A Takes you to your Applications folder
Command+Shift+C Takes you to the top-level Computer location
Command+Shift+G Takes you to a folder that you specify
Command+Shift+H Takes you to your Home folder
Command+Shift+I Connects you to your iDisk
Command+Shift+Q Logs you out
Command+Shift+N Creates a new untitled folder in the active window
Command+Shift+U Takes you to your Utilities folder
Command+Shift+Del Deletes the contents of the Trash
Command+Option+H Hides all windows except the Finder’s window(s)
Command+Option+N Creates a new Smart Folder
Command+Option+T Hides the Finder window toolbar
Command+Option+Space Opens the Spotlight window
Command+Space Opens the Spotlight menu
F8 Choose another desktop using Spaces
Control+up-arrow (or F3, depending on your keyboard model) Displays the Mission Control screen
Control+down-arrow (or Control+F3, depending on your keyboard
model)		 Shows all open windows for the current application using
Mission Control
F11 (or Command+F3, depending on your keyboard model) Hides all windows to display the Desktop using Mission
Control
F12 (or F4, depending on your keyboard model) Displays your Dashboard widgets
Space Quick Look
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Appointment Scheduling Apps for your biz

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First, check out my other post – Tips when choosing apps for your business

Acuity Scheduling (I use this one)

Calendly 

Honeybook

I also know that woocommerce has a scheduling plugin for about $100 for one website.

Check out capterra online to compare software. I don’t know how biased the site is, but it’s worth a look.

What is your favorite? I love tools!

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How to pick the best apps for your business

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In this post I’m referring to tools you integrate with your business and tips that will help during your research. I love tools. I love them. Anything that streamlines my life (I have a lifestyle blog about it over here) or business, I’m all ears.

There have been tools that completely transformed my business. Use them wisely.

Tips for shopping for any application or solution for your biz

  1. Check for a free trial.
  2. Know your needs prior to researching.
  3. Do the math: weigh out how will this help your business compared to how much you spend on it monthly.
  4. Check out comparison websites (just google search x compared to y)
  5. Ask friends on social media and reviews
  6. Check reddit (run a search) Reddit is my favorite place to research
  7. Always be open to consolidating services or replacing one for one that works better. It might be less headache than you think to switch over, and might be WAY worth the trouble.
  8. It’s important enough / complex enough, do a spreadsheet to track what features it has and / or a rating system.

What are your favorite apps? What have I left out?

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Hack your Gmail, something amazing I found

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I was just searching for orphan assets in my inbox, but I realized there must be a better way. Especially since it’s google we’re dealing with. A quick google search never lets me down.

I found TWO nuggets of helpful information:

  1. Inbox (the new gmail application/client) is actually awesome.
  2. You can use special codes to filter items in your inbox it’s called ‘advanced search‘ and let’s just say I’m going to be up all night playing with this feature.

I don’t know if advanced search works for regular gmail inbox or not, but I was searching for images, and “Inbox” actually populates a thumbnail.

Amazing.

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7 ways to get stuff done with a new baby

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I have a 6-month old. His name is Phoenix. He is changing so fast that I can’t keep up with the new adjustments. Sometimes I find myself holding him with one hand and typing with the other. He wants to crawl, so he’s now crawling and getting into cords, and lately he’s been pulling himself up onto and over things.

 

Today he wasn’t happy unless he was on the ground, but he was crawling over the barricades I’d created out of pillows, so I had to keep picking him up. He wasn’t happy in his jumper, and I can’t work holding him,  so we packed up and went to Gramma’s house across town.

Thank God for Gramma. Read more

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3 Ways to schedule like a boss

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Marie Forleo said “If it’s not on your calendar, it doesn’t exist”, and as much as I want to make fun of her for her cheesy factor, I just can’t because that bit really helped me clean out my brain and take on more in my busy life.

Here are the top 3 ways to schedule effectively.

1. The right tools

A Master List

Yes, another cheesy term. Quit making fun of me , this shit works. You should have one master to-do  that you write everything on. Not 400 post-its, and not one new calendar per month (because you accidentally messed up on one page and it ruined the whole calendar)  ONE LIST. It’s hard and it will kill you at first,  but believe me- do my system and you’ll be forever grateful.

A Calendar

So you have one list that you can then transfer to your calendar (and mini lists if you can’t handle it). For my master list ( and every single other thing I write down) I use evernote. For scheduling I use google calendar because it syncs with all my devices and has color-coded categories that you can show or hide. Try and use one calendar. That’s the whole point. STICK WITH ONE CALENDAR. I’m not yelling, I’m emphasizing.

2. Consistency

Stick with it for a little while. Let yourself get into the groove of it. Get familiar with the app or calendar or list you’re using and get into a groove. You’ll know when you’re in the groove , and if the system isn’t working it’s okay, but when you switch apps or calendars make sure you transfer everything to the new system so it’s seamless.

A big part of this is having a grasp on the new system. If it’s overwhelming or annoying you won’t do it, so find something that works best for you . While you’re finding the perfect fit, don’t forget that your list is still there waiting for you. There is still  stuff on your calendar that is happening whether you have it written down or not.

3. Follow Through

Okay, so you have your system that you love. Your shiny new app, your organized calendar ( and ps: how perfect is an old tattered calendar with a thousand notes and scribbles and papers in it? It feels worn-in and useful) So you should know your schedule without even looking at your calendar , or at least have a pretty good idea of what’s happening. The reason I love Google Calendars is because you can filter by category and see only what’s pertinent to whatever it is you’re working on. For example when I’m working on catching up on my shows, I can just click the pink box and it will show me what shows are coming up that week. (The most important thing; after all, is The Real Housewives)

And that’s it! Do it. There’s only one way to succeed and that is to find something that works, and DO IT. If you don’t actually do it, it’s useless.

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5 steps to handling burnout

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stayinspired

If you’re in a funk, the chances are that you probably can’t quit your job or walk off like you really want to. The good news is YOU CAN GET THROUGH IT, but you have to follow my 5 step plan on handling burnout.

Read more

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My top 5 Pandora Stations for Working

1. Tribe Called Quest

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71ubKHzujy8?rel=0&w=420&h=315]

2. City and Colour

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZqnqH9s1jk?rel=0&w=420&h=315]

3. Band of Horses

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPW8y6woTBI?rel=0&w=560&h=315]

4. Passion Pit

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0RvPYRRRbE?rel=0&w=560&h=315]

5. Justice

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sy1dYFGkPUE?rel=0&w=420&h=315]

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What’s the hold up?

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Sometimes when we’re doing a project, we hit an invisible brick wall and we’re in the same spot forever. For some people it’s actually starting up their business. For others it’s releasing their product.

We have the button, but we refuse to push go.

Why do we do that?

Because we haven’t really discovered exactly why we’re not pressing go.

Today, ask yourself why you’re not pressing go, and get to work.

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