Dan G. Druen, Jr.

Productivity and Simplicity... the links.

My 2010 Book Reading List

Every year on my birthday (February), I select 25 books to read for the upcoming year.  Several friends who are aware of this asked me to post my 2010 list (as well as past lists).  Usually my list includes books that complement my current projects and/or that have been recommended by friends and/or associates, and I recycle a couple of my favorites as a refresher.  I thought I would step it up this year and write a review of each book, and I've decided to read only the ebook edition (currently Kindle for iPhone, but I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of iBooks for iPad). Here's my 2010 Reading List:  
     
The 4-Hour Workweek, Revised and Expanded by Timothy Ferriss;
The Art of the Start by Guy Kawasaki;
Unclutter Your Life in One Week by Erin Doland;
Bounce Back by John Calipari (the glory of Big Blue Nation);
The Magic of Thinking Big by David Schwartz (favorite recycle); 
8 Weeks to Optimum Health by Andrew Weil (favorite recycle);
Crush It by Gary Vaynerchuk;
Tribes by Seth Godin;
A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking;
The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp;
The Dip by Seth Godin;
The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin;
Letters From a Stoic by Seneca;
The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell;
The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber (recycled favorite);
Making Things Happen by Scott Berkun;
The Simplicity Survival Handbook by Bill Jensen;
The Education of Henry Adams by Henry Adams;
Lead the Field by Earl Nightingale;
Personal Development for Smart People by Steve Pavlina;
Zorba the Greek by Nikos Kazantzakis;
A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn;
Linchpin by Seth Godin; 
Sotheby's Wine Encyclopedia by Tom Stevenson (this is next to by bed for evening reading);
Trust Agents by Chris Brogan and Julien Smith.
 

Productivity and Simplicity... the lInks 2/10/10

1.  Wanna Write?  Read Voraciously.  by Amber Naslund via altitude ...brand elevation through social media.; "A writing habit is cultivated by two things:  1. Writing a lot, and 2. Reading even more."

2.  12 Classic Zen Habits Posts You Might Not Have Read.  by Leo Babauta via Zen Habits; "There is no way to happiness, happiness is the way." - Thich Nhat Hanh

3.  Still procrastinating about a bunch of things on your action lists?  by David Allen via GTD Times.

4.  First, care.  As a continuation of #3, by Merlin Mann via 43 Folders; "Before you sweat the logistics of focus:  first, care.  Care intensely."   

5.  The Other Side of Connectivity.  by Armen Shirvanian via Quest for Balance; "We rise to our level of competence, but we also drop to our level of competence if we overshoot it." 

via Dan G. Druen, Jr.

Productivity and Simplicity... the links 2/3/10

Quote of the week:  "We are what we repeatedly do.  Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." - Aristotle via Gretchen Rubin

1. What You Don't Do Doesn't Matter by Chris Guillebeau; "It's only when our thoughts translate into actions that we reach out of ourselves and impact the life of another." - Chris Guillebeau

2. Points of Contact by Chris Brogan; How many points of contact do you have?

3. My Dominatrix of Decisions rides a Hedgehog by Danielle LaPorte via WhiteHot Truth; How do you know when to say yes or no to a project?

4. Life's Better With the Right Words by Sean Platt via Writer Dad; "The words we use are important, essential to who we are and how we assemble out thoughts." - Sean Platt

5. Can You Learn to be Self-Disciplined? by Ali Hale via Pick the Brain; Make self-discipline a habit, and "stop telling yourself that you just aren't self-disciplined".

via Dan G. Druen, Jr. 

Productivity and Simplicity... the links for week ending 1/8/10

Quote of the Week - "When you complain, you make yourself a victim.  Leave the situation or accept it.  All else is madness." - Eckhart Tolle

1. Using a Virtual Assistant - GTD Times:  Tips, or rather an argument, for using a virtual assistant.

2. 10 Business Mistakes That Will Nearly Break You… Literally - QuickSprout:  A list of common "stupid" mistakes entrepreneurs make when starting a business.

3. What Starts You Up? - Escaping Mediocrity:  A brainstorming article about what triggers a call to action. 

4. Reflection Questions – The Most Important Questions You’ll Answer This Year - Sid Savara:  Another brainstorming article providing questions of reflection.

5. The “Secret” to Becoming a Better Man in 2010 - The Art of Manliness:  It's no "secret" that the key to a level of success in any aspect of your life is DISCIPLINE.

6. Why I'd Rather Be Enthusiastic Than Confident. - the Happiness Project

via Dan G. Druen, Jr.

thank you for the messages...

Thank you for the many messages regarding the weekly productivity links/notes... I'm sorry for the short absence, but I had to renegotiate some commitments in order to work on some exciting projects (coming soon)... yes, I will continue to search out and share the timely tidbits with the next post on Friday... and yes, I will reveal my GTD process over the next several weeks... thank you again for the messages and kind words...

 

Productivity and Simplicity... the links for week ending 11/22/09

Quote of the week:

"An unhurried sense of time is in itself a form of wealth." - Bonnie Friedman via Sid Savara


Articles of the week:

1. "Getting Things Done with Mind Maps" by Michael Deutch via GTD Connect http://bit.ly/13boGG - This is a wonderful presentation by Mindjet Evangelist Michael Deutch facilitated by GTD Coach Kelly Forrister on how to integrate mind mapping into your GTD process.  It's lengthy, but definitely worth the visit.  This was produced for the GTD Connect community, so if you're not a member you can sign up for a free trial and view. Also, be sure to check out the mind map templates below the presentation.


2. "Learn new Skills, ask Questions, practice Yoga & only Travel Carry-On" an interview of Gwen Bell by Gretchen Rubin http://bit.ly/1fnzKc - If you don't get anything else out of this interview, at least examine this tidbit by Gwen, "To be happy you have to serve others. In order to best serve others you have to practice self-study and self-reflection."


3. "How To Instantly Make Time For Yourself  & Get More Accomplished" by Sid Savara http://bit.ly/346qlt - Five simple, practical and "actionable" strategies to "instantly" make time for yourself.


4. "Develop and Maintain Successful Business Relationships with GTD" by Matt Handal via GTD Times http://bit.ly/60nqiv - A quick hit article on how to process new business connections (business cards) to encourage follow-up and growth.  btw, I use a similar process utilizing Evernote.


5. "How an MIT postdoc writes 3 books, a PhD defense, and 6+ peer-reviewed papers - and finishes by 5:30 P.M." by Ramit Sethi via I Will Teach You to Be Rich http://bit.ly/8ZohIB - An interesting look at "fixed-schedule productivity".


6. "Researched Comparison of GTD Programs" by Priacta via Productivity Hacks http://bit.ly/2jMEms - A thorough interactive comparison of productivity software.


via Dan G. Druen, Jr.


 

Productivity and Simplicity... the links for week ending 11/15/09

Quote(s) of the week:
“It is a mistake to look too far ahead. Only one link in the chain of destiny can be handled at a time.” - Sir Winston Churchill via The Positivity Blog

"The secret of happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less." - Socrates

Articles of the week:
1. "Energy Management: Getting More Done" by Marelisa Fabrega via Abundance Blog at Marelisa Online http://bit.ly/2lXC8L - Solid: TIME can't be managed, but ENERGY can!

2. "My Secret For Personal Growth and Change: How To Change Yourself, " by Sid Savara http://bit.ly/Mcmua - Sid lays out a 4 question process of "introspection" to complete prior to making any major life changing decisions - great answer to #4 if you answer "yes" to the prior questions... Do it now!
 
3. "No System Will Save You," via Productivity Hacks http://bit.ly/4CB0S6 - a thought provoking article that suggests that "no one (productivity) system is the solution for me, or anyone".  In my experience with developing my own system and with assisting others with their systems, I agree that each individual must believe in and take ownership in a system that works "best" for them - but, contrary to the article, in my experience the "best" system can be an individual system.  Personally, my system is anchored by GTD as the main structure/base, and is complemented with elements of ZTD, Covey, Pomodoro, and some personal hacks.  

4. "Winston Churchill’s Short Guide to Life: 6 Essential Fundamentals" by Henrik Edberg via the Positivity Blog http://bit.ly/2VXG0u - summary: do one thing at a time, take action, be optimistic, don't give up, be enthusiastic, & stop worrying. 

5. "The Power of a Plan" via Learn This http://bit.ly/42eiGL - a good article on incorporating the same planning methods to your personal life as you do for your business life... absolutely, I believe you should have a plan/goal(s)/dream for every aspect of your life.

6. "The Short but Powerful Guide to Finding Your Passion" by Leo Babauta via Zen Habits http://bit.ly/2EJWmt - an article after my own heart; I resemble this quote from the article, "The supreme accomplishment is to blur the line between work and play." - Arnold Toynbee

App spotlight: 
In lieu of a single app recommendation, here is an article "7 Apps We're Falling in Love With" via ReadWriteWeb http://bit.ly/2Kv8VE

Productivity and Simplicity... the links for week ending 11/8/09

Quote of the Week via Steve Rubel when asked to describe himself in 140 characters or less - "Forever under construction, but a head of the curve."

Application Spotlight: Caffeine (http://lightheadsw.com/caffeine/) - "a tiny program that puts an icon in the right side of your menu bar. Click it to prevent your Mac from automatically going to sleep, dimming the screen or starting screen savers. Click it again to go back."  This is quickly becoming one of my go to apps - gone are the days of fixing a drink only to return to a login screen.

1. The Steve Rubel Tao of Productivity - an interview by Karthick Gopal (http://bit.ly/45k1Ge) - An interesting look into the productivity methods of a top thinker in the fields of PR, Social Media and Productivity. Steve briefly discusses his methods including; the goal replacing his laptop entirely with the iPhone, going paperless, lifelogging, inbox zero, and mind mapping. Visit Steve Rubel's Lifestream at (http://www.steverubel.com/).

2. 100 Different Evernote Uses by Andrew Maxwell (http://bit.ly/227QZ7) - Quite simply Andrew provides a compilation of many ways to use Evernote. BTW, I'm a huge fan of Evernote (http://www.evernote.com/) including their podcasts.

3. What do you feel is your most important productivity tool? by Productivity501 (http://bit.ly/3wPe2a) - Productivity501 posed this very question to several individuals, and their answers ranged from "Remember the Milk" to "My Moleskin" - and my favorite by Patrick Rhone (http://patrickrhone.com/) "Trash can, delete key, and no."

4. Does Multitasking Make You More Productive? by Web Worker Daily (http://bit.ly/2V22Df) - A good article on the subject of multitasking. I believe that the concept of multitasking is impossible simply because an individual can physically only do one task at a time, which is the general conclusion of the article. The article even suggests that trying the impossible (multitasking) "makes us stupid" by immediately lowering our IQ.

5. Hotel at Home - Minimizing the Workspace by Minimal Mac (http://bit.ly/159MqQ) - Why are some of us more productive on the road (traveling)? - Maybe it's the fact that there is "a nice, clean empty desk awaiting" for us at the hotel.

Productivity and Simplicity... the links for week ending 10/31/09

Quote of the Week via Minimal Mac: "Reduce the complexity of life by eliminating the needless wants of life, and the labors of life reduce themselves." - Edwin Way Teale

1. Diary of a Self-Help Dropout: Flirting With the 4-Hour Workweek by Chris Hardwick via Wired Magazine (http://bit.ly/hhtA) - An insightful and hilarious review of Getting Things Done by David Allen, Never Check E-Mail in the Morning by Julie Morgenstern, and The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss. Read, Laugh, and Learn.

2. Simple Questions to Simplify Success by Danielle LaPorte via White Hot Truth "because self-realization rocks" (http://bit.ly/1AcQxl) - Danielle has a way of blowing things up and getting to the core of the issue, and you can't get a simpler explanation of the who, what, why of success.

3. Stages to Successfully Design Your Lifestyle via NuNomad Blog (http://bit.ly/90J7b) - A solid article of why people don't achieve their goals through misguided actions, and "get on a personal merry-go-round", and how to adjust fire by understanding the stages of lifestyle design - "Be Smart. Take your time. Make your plan and follow it. You can design your lifestyle. With the right balance of positive action and patience..."  

4. Why is David Allen like Albert Einstein via Arif & Ali’s Blog (http://bit.ly/1Tn1YK) - I'll let the title speak for itself.

5. Application Spotlight: iPhone Business Card Reader via Shape Services (http://bit.ly/1WRz6Y) - Interesting... I haven't tried it yet, but if it works as advertised (take picture of business cards and the information on the card will appear in your iPhone address book) it could be a great tool. Currently, I take a picture of business cards within Evernote for processing during my weekly review.

via Dan G. Druen, Jr.

 

Productivity and Simplicity... the links for week ending 10/25/2009

The following links are my best of and/or most interesting links relating to productivity and simplicity. 

Quote of the week:  “Genius is the ability to reduce the complicated to the simple.” - C.W. Ceran 

1.  A ton of FREE GTD Resources via GTD Times (http://bit.ly/3Q11xR) - This is a list of GTD resources offered at no cost by the David Allen Company.  

2.  What is your motivation to be organized? via Unclutterer (http://bit.ly/YrfI) - I’m drawn to productivity and minimalism because it simplifies the processes in my life so that I can actually enjoy life – so, what’s your motivation?

3.  Facing the (Sometimes) Ugly Truth via GTD Times (http://bit.ly/45IHeC) - Great article on understanding GTD is a work in progress – an ongoing “game”.

4.  Minimal Mac (http://bit.ly/4oyY4L) - Home office reorganization in a series of them at Minimal Mac.  

5.  How to Speed Read via The Art of Manliness (http://bit.ly/HY3ri) - An interesting read on speed-reading like Teddy Roosevelt – I wonder what Tim Ferriss would think of this article? 

6.  How stress can benefit your productivity via Unclutterer (http://bit.ly/3t5e00) - I’m not sure what to think of this article – positive or negative – but interesting read nonetheless. 

7.  14 Simple Tips for Super Fast Web Browsing (http://bit.ly/2jQVKc) - More sound advice and tips from Leo Babauta. 

8.  OmniFocus, GTD, and You – Free Whitepaper - via DIGTD - "Making You More Productive" (http://bit.ly/iLLKS) - This was a major coup by OmniFocus – forging a public relationship with the David Allen Company – Kudos!

via Dan G. Druen, Jr.