095: End of Year Review

It's our last meeting of 2012! Join the Virtual Study Group as we gab about end of year reviews, recap the best of 2012, and celebrate another year of productivity.
Download the podcast here. [UPDATED LINK!]

URLs mentioned in this call:

• Brad Feld's interview on the Good Life Project: http://www.goodlifeproject.com/brad-feld/

• Steven Pressfield: http://www.stevenpressfield.com/

• Creating perspective on OF: http://vimeo.com/38725260

• Llamagraphics' Life Balance: http://www.llamagraphics.com/products

• Tara Mohr journal prompts (just substitute 2013 for 2012): http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tara-sophia-mohr/new-years-resolutions_b_1172005.html

• Jonathan Fields annual report: http://www.jonathanfields.com/blog/annual-report/

• Productive! magazine with issue 14: our own Augusto Pinaud is on the cover (and Tara is on p 23): http://www.michaelsliwinski.com/productive_magazine/

• Mac Power Users podcast: http://macpowerusers.com/

• Back to Work 5by5: http://5by5.tv/b2w

• Text Expander: http://smilesoftware.com/TextExpander/index.html

• Phrase Express: http://www.phraseexpress.com/

• Scott Young's post on ultralearning: http://calnewport.com/blog/2012/10/26/mastering-linear-algebra-in-10-days-astounding-experiments-in-ultra-learning/

094: Ask the VSG

Have you ever wanted to quiz the members about a pressing problem or a difficult situation you're trying to work out? In this episode, we tackle some questions from callers. We didn't get to everything so we'll be doing another of these soon.
Download the podcast here. [UPDATED LINK!]

URLs mentioned in the call:

• The Secret Weapon http://www.thesecretweapon.org/

• Egretlist Mini-manual http://tararobinson.com/store-2/minimanual-egretlist

• FlyLady http://www.flylady.net/

• David Seah: Project Shoebox http://davidseah.com/blog/2012/06/project-shoebox-making-a-physical-filing-system/

093: Cloud Computing: How Vulnerable Are You?

Back in August, Wired writer Mat Honan got hacked. In this episode, we learn about how access to one account allowed hackers to wipe out all of Mat's accounts and what that means to those of us who keep so much data in the cloud. You'll get tons of info about how to protect yourself from the VSG's own Bill McNeely.

Download the episode here.

To download Bill's handout, visit https://dl.dropbox.com/u/403118/ARecentHack.pdf
 

092: A Book Launch Party! Augusto Pinaud's 25 Tips for Productivity

It's a celebration as our own Augusto Pinaud launches his new book, 25 Tips for Productivity. We had lots of fun hearing some of the wisdom that Augusto shares in the book.
Download the episode here.

To order 25 Tips for Productivity on Amazon: http://amzn.com/1479311154=
 

091: Back to Basics: The Next-Action Decision

Back to Basics returns! In this episode, we revisit "The Power of the Next-Action Decision." We talk about getting to the next action, how to instill the habit of next-action thinking, and address what gets in the way. Join us!

Download the podcast here.

URL mentioned on the call: http://www.43folders.com/2006/11/14/project-versus-next-action

090: Cultivating Reliability: Showing Up, Practicing It, Getting It Done

Keeping commitments is at the heart of getting things done. But how many of us renege on our commitments to ourselves? In this episode, you'll learn more about practicing the art of being reliable for yourself. Join the Virtual Study Group as we talk about, making, keeping, and breaking commitments. A great discussion, full of insights!

Download the podcast here.

URLs mentioned on this call:

• Margin by Richard Swenson: http://www.amazon.com/Margin-Restoring-Emotional-Financial-Overloaded/dp/1576836827/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1342124001&sr=8-1&keywords=margins

• SuperBetter: https://www.superbetter.com/

089: Outside Pursuits: Using GTD to Get Creative

There's so much more to do than just work! In this meeting, we share how we use productivity tools and methods to get creative pursuits done. If you're artistic (just want to be), join us for the conversation.

Download the podcast here. [UPDATED LINK!]

URLs mentioned in this podcast:

• NoteShelf for iPad: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/noteshelf/id392188745?mt=8

• Dragon Dictation: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dragon-dictation/id341446764?mt=8

• TED talk by Elizabeth Gilbert http://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html

• Simon's blog: http://redlionden.com/

088: Combining GTD with Other Systems and Approaches

Join the Virtual Study Group as we talk about how other methods and approaches can combine with GTD to get even more productivity goodness.

Download the podcast here.

URLs from this episode:

• The Pomodoro Method: http://www.pomodorotechnique.com/

• Getting Results the Agile Way: http://gettingresults.com/wiki/Main_Page

• Entrepreneurial Time Management: http://www.daniellelaporte.com/business-wealth-articles/entrepreneurial-time-management-how-i-rock-it/

• Cal Newport: http://calnewport.com/blog/2007/10/10/the-einstein-principle-accomplish-more-by-doing-less/

• Achieve Planner: http://www.effexis.com/achieve/planner.htm

087: Media Consumption and GTD

We're living-in-the-future where the combination of portable computers (smartphones, tablets, etc.), digitization of media and the Internet as a delivery mechanism means that we have an unprecedented access to a variety of media (books, audiobooks, articles, podcasts, movies, TV shows). The ability to record & store media effectively means that we can time-shift media that was formerly broadcast and consume it in our own schedule. So, amidst the myriad possibilities, how do you decide what to pay attention to? How do you keep track?

Listen to our discussion by downloading the podcast here.

Websites mentioned in the podcast:

• Feederler Pro: http://itunes.apple.com/app/feeddler-rss-reader-for-ipad/id364873582?mt=8

• Effects of Media Multitasking on the Brain http://tararobinson.com/blog/2011/06/brains-on-fire-media-multitasking-is-destroying-your-focus.html

086: Special Guest: Lindsey Holmes

In this episode, we welcomed special guest, Lindsey C. Holmes. Recently named Evernote's new Small Business Ambassador, Lindsey is a passionate GTDer. She'll gave us us the inside scoop on how folks in small biz can use GTD, shared her expertise with Evernote, and much more.

Download the podcast here.

Lindsey's speaking guide with URLs mentioned in the call: http://lch.bz/K2M6mK
Evernote Small Business Forum- http://discussion.evernote.com/forum/112-small-business/
Qloudster.com - To request Beta Test