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We’ve had this planned since well before the launch of this blog, but lots of stuff like American Thanksgiving and an unseasonal snowstorm threw some big, honking spanners into the works. But now is the time … it’s time for you, our readers to win stuff. Cool stuff. Stuff that Scot and I like, have tested, and use. Before I get to the goodies, let me tell you what you’re going to need to do to win.
In lots of our posts Scot and I ask you for your input, tips, and tricks. Did you think this was just comment bait? Okay, it was ;). Now, though, it’s for prizes.
From now until Tuesday 6 PM December 12 just leave a comment here or write a post and send us the link (don’t for get the pimp line … pimpyourwork@gmail.com) with your best work tip. Software, work life, meeting tips, etc. Next week, Scot and I will look at all the entries and pick some winners. Now, tell them what they could win Bob …
We have up for grabs:
- MindManager (Win or Mac)
- Activewords (it lets you automate tons and tons of functions on your machine)
- Anagram (it lets you make To-dos, appointments, and contacts right from your Outlook e-mails
- GyroQ for MindManager
- GryoQ Developer Licenses
- ClearContext (that awesome Outlook add-in that has made my e-mail easy to deal with)
How’s that! I would like to thank all the people who donated software for this contest. What would be very cool, and totally optional of course, is if you took a moment and downloaded and tried these apps (there are generous free trials on all of them) then posted a tip based on them. No pressure, really.
Want to know what I can’t live without (yes I have tried and used all of these at some point)?
MindManager (duh!), ClearContext (I’m finding more and more powerful everyday), and GyroQ. Don’t get me wrong, I was a power ActiveWords user and I have Buzz to thank for getting me hooked on MindManager. Anagram is also amazing.
So … let the games begin!
1967 days ago
[...] Over at Pimp Your Work (a fellow b5 Business Channel blog) they’re running a great contest for some free software. [...]
1968 days ago
[...] But I wanted to understand better, especially as Tris and Scot are having a competition and I wanted to help spread the word. Their blog post announcing the competition is It’s a pimpalicious Pimp Your Work contest! You can win cool stuff, easy. There was that word again, in a couple of forms. Clearly I needed to get some clarification, if not for the sake of readers unfamiliar with the finer (?) nuances of North American slang, then at least for my own sake. [...]
1969 days ago
[...] Scot (speaking on his behalf) and I want to thank everyone for entering our little contest. There are some great entries. Now the fun begins, picking the winners. I expect Scot and I will be able to announce the winners this week. What are people going to get? I really want to keep that a surprise, but I will say this, the best tip is going to get a ton of stuff. [...]
Always chasing little scraps of paper around the office? Then consider “My Life Organized” (MLO) as a task manager.This is a very short review because I know I have another five tasks to achieve before I shutdown my computer tonight. How do I know that I have five tasks? Because I use a combination of David Allens “Getting Things Done” (GTD) system and “My Life Organized” (MLO).
In a nutshell MLO is task outliner. It allows you keep track of all of the things you want to do now, tomorrow and ever. The outliner looks and works like the windows folder system. If that was all MLO offered it would be a good tool.
….
1973 days ago
[...] Finally, I jumped to a perfectly purple site called Pimp Your Work, enticed by the “Pimpalicious Pimp Your Work contest“. With a title like that, one can’t help but check it out. The contest is up for another couple of days and your asked to leave your best work tip. Let’s see… being guilty of this one and having actually recovered from it, I’d say. Don’t piss off your boss. No matter how right you think you are. [...]
1974 days ago
[...] Liz Strauss has a guest post from Grigor Ćorić on mindmapping. Grigor recommends FreeMind as an alternative to commercial mindmapping tools. Okay, I’ve tried FreeMind and I didn’t like it. I was spoiled already by MindManager from MindJet. Hobie Swan introduced me to MindManager and gave me a license to use. MindJet is also one of the sponsors of our contest (still open until next week). That bias aside, if you want to get into mindmapping and aren’t sure about it, try FreeMind. I think the process of mindmapping is more important that the tool you use to do it. [...]
My best tip is to get a second job, especially as a freelancer or consultant, so that you can save for trips, credit card bills, student loans, retirement or whatever else your heart desires. In fact, getting a second job is also a great way to transition to working from home.
Hi There!
I just came across, thanks to Darren’s speedlink.
I use HP iPaq Pocket PC and would like to share my tips on automated backup of Pocket PC. It is a life saver and I am sure it will help, whoever uses a Pocket PC :-)
http://alpesh.nakars.com/blog/2006/12/02/scheduled-backup-of-pocket-pc/
Season’s Greetings to all and have a great new year!
Cheers!
Alpesh Nakar
I just stumbled on your blog, due to Darren’s speedlink. Good stuff here!
My tip: take regular, periodic breaks. I use a program called Take a Break. It’s free!
You can define a “work” interval and a “break” interval, then the program reminds you when it’s time to do what. For example, set it for 50 minutes of work, 10 minute break. This way you can get away from your desk, stretch your legs, etc.
1975 days ago
[...] Pimp Your Work has a competition running at present (it’s been extended a week) with some great prizes for people who submit their best ‘work tip’ (it could be software tips, work life tips, meeting tips etc). [...]
I use the GTD methodology and have added an @delegated category to my task list. When an something is delegated, the task is created with the persons intials as the first part of the task description. This makes it easy to sort and query all assigned tasks to this person.
Also if an email comes in and the action is delegated, just drag the email to the task button and a new task is created with the content of the email is added to the notes field.
Using GyroQ with MindManager.
Why use GyroQ for quickly capturing random ideas and thoughts and not just type them straight into MindManager?
GyroQ does not need MindManager running to capture ideas so you don’t have to keep MindManager and your In-tray map open all the time.
Remember that when you’re in MindManager, the temptation to develop and embellish an idea is almost irresistible so, to maintain your focus, use GyroQ for queuing quick ideas and eventually send them to MindManager maps without having MindManager running all the time and capture more of your work in map form.
Maps are great places to re-think and develop ideas and when you get to work on these in a map you can develop them much more quickly.
My tip: quit your job. I’ve become a much more productive worker since I started working for myself. :)
Know when to stop.
Whether it’s time to stop writing, stop goofing off, stop research, or stop the endless cycle of the rat race.
Life is about balance, and knowing how to stop means knowing how to start.
1976 days ago
[...] Scot and I talked last night (virtually) and decided we need to extend the contest another week. Frankly while we have some awesome entries, we need more. [...]
Buy some good coffee.
Greatb tips so far! Let’s keep them coming!
The demo of GyroQ is very impressive. Would make a great utility for bloggers – they can quickly jot down the ideas for the next blog post via GyroQ and blog them later.
The advantage is that ideas would be shown as a brain map making it easier to decide what should in and what should go out.
One of my best work tip gets me to be more productive:
Have siesta or a nap to refresh your mind.
Not all companies or working arrangements allow it but for those who can, especially those who work at home, making it a habit can actually help you stay alert and be more on the go for the rest of the day.
1982 days ago
[...] BTW … there haven’t been too many entries for the contest yet. You don’t want to miss out do you? Here’s a little poll that I think should set things straight …. Do you like winning free stuff [...]