Free is the word of the year with books about it and more.  I recently wrote a piece on the business model known as “freemium” here.  Entire companies thrive on free such as Google, the reference standard.  I happen to be a fan of the free movement and the open-source concept.  I am not religious about it however.  I like it when it works.

I have no ethical or moral obligation to the free movement, only am fascinated by the development of economic forces and innovative business models.  I am, in fact, amused by the zeal of some “camp” members (the two camps being “free” and “anti-free”). So to this end, I write about the not-so-good side of Free.  The intent is to bring a balance to the concept, giving any aspiring entrepreneur or business owner the option to choose what will work best for them in their own circumstance.

This thought was sparked by a great article recently put out by Fast Company, here.  I will pull some concept from the article to further illustrate the point.

Twitter has been around for some time now and I have had an account for a lot of that time.  I did not begin using it regularly until just a few weeks ago (month or so? eh, a bit now).  I had a small handful of updates and a few followers but honestly, I just could get it.  I could see it for celebrities and others who looked for the cult following but I just couldn’t grasp it for me, my use.  I shot out a snippet here and there but all in all, maybe once a month.  So I did not use it myself nor did I really follow anyone.  I obviously was following some technically, but I never got on and really used it or check updates, feeds, the tweets of others.  I heard guru after guru say how they loved Twitter and are making all this money and getting success from Twitter but I couldn’t grasp it still.

The Turn to Twitter

Finally, one day I am speaking with an associate about Twitter and other technologies when he made the simple comment about utilizing it as an aggregator and the light finally clicked on!  I fairly regularly surf for new articles, content, reviews, etc.  I may as well share the wealth with others!  If you have ever seen my twitter updates, 90% of them are interesting articles, posts, and other tidbits from around the web.  I rarely, practically never, respond to direct messages (dm’s) or other more active forms of twitter use.  I do re-tweet from time to time and now I actually follow others in search of good articles, ideas, etc.  So my use, both in posting and reading, is looking for thought provoking tidbits, articles, and blogs.  Now, I’m not saying the other uses are not valuable, only that I haven’t found them to be for me (at least not yet). Twitter tends to be one of the biggest traps when attempting to regulate the information flow.  It is a matter of balance as well as efficient and effective utility.  At this point it is neither efficient nor effective FOR ME.  I definitely have to emphasize this as me sharing my use.  I am keen to the fact that others have found additional means of value and power to them!

I am somewhat a tech junkie for those who don’t know.  Although I may not always have the newest coolest gadgets, I’m simply fascinated by advancements, innovations, and breakthroughs in technology.  Right now Netflix is of interest to me as they continue against the grain of good ol’ fashioned cable.  Among the leaders of the internet TV movement, they are spearheading the campaign to unlimited, on-demand content availability via the web.  Needless to say, I like it!  I’ve been impressed with companies like redbox and their business model for simple, cost-effective dvd availability but as with much of today, these other concepts are simply side roads on the path to our new cloud reality.  In Wired magazine’s latest issue, they highlight Netflix’ bold moves and risks here.

Hastings [CEO] planned to one day deliver the entire recorded output of Hollywood, instantly and in high definition, to any screen, anywhere…

Netflix has taken the boldest step yet toward a world in which consumers, not programmers, determine not only what they watch but when, where, and how. The dream of routing around cable companies just may be in sight…

It is odd, in an era when the Internet seems able to worm its way into every part of life, that nearly all of us still watch television the old-fashioned way, piped over cable or beamed in by satellite and available only in bloated packages of channels programmed by network executives…

That’s not to say there are not obstacles, even substantial ones. Cable companies are beginning to make attempts with various web-based offerings attempting to route out not only Netflix but the internet TV movement, especially the “free” side of that movement. 

With countless blogs, books, and best-practices (pardon the alliteration), maximized productivity is a common pursuit, especially for the ambitious ones among us.  Many have even dedicated themselves full time to this unachievable endeavor, the perfect level of self-management and productivity.  But why?  What is the purpose to improved productivity.  The obvious, yet superficial, answer is to get more done, to create, to accomplish.  This is partially true, yet, lacks, and simply reveals the next question: why get more done, create, or accomplish?  Ultimately, it brings us to the pursuit of happiness, particularly lasting joy.  For whatever number of reasons, we are happy when we are productive, when we create, when we participate in the progression of ourselves and, as a secondary benefactor in many cases, society.  With an understanding of this core purpose, we can more fully explore methods of productivity with a higher context that promises the results we seek.  But why do we want to be happy?  All I know is I do, so that’s where we’ll leave the philosophy for this post.

With this obsession toward productivity, we find ourselves seeking methods and sharing methods for doing so.  Each person or guru introduces a set of principles to productivity with tools of the trade such as calendaring systems, to-do lists, technology, etc.  We read the book, try it out, do it for a week or so, maybe a month, then slowly drop parts of each method until we are left back where we were or close to it.  Don’t get me wrong, I like many of the systems available and commend their creators for contributing to the world of productivity improvement only have yet to find the system that truly works for me.  Maybe those of us falling into this trap are simply undisciplined and we need to quit blaming the system, or maybe not.  I don’t question a tendency toward laziness, especially if the system adds a list of new daily tasks simply to manage the system itself!  What I do question is whether that “laziness” is the problem!

Enter the meMethod…

What I have noticed is that with each failed attempt at systematically enhanced productivity improvement, we tend to retain a piece of that system, even if only a memory of something we liked.  If we attempt several and explore blogs, books, and gurus for more, we are left with a plethora of ideas that have left an imprint on our memory.  We create, even subconsciously and unintentionally, our own set of productivity best practices.  So why are we all not ultra-productive happy folk?  Well, just because a lot of ideas are chaotically floating around in our clouded memories does not mean a single one is even implemented or works complementary to the others.  We may not have ever connected the dots!  How do all these ideas relate?  How would they work together?  I mean, what are they?!?!

So the meMethod enters as the method that works for ME.  Each person may have their own meMethod, what works for you is yours.  So I add my own ingredients to the already overflowing productivity stew, in a kitchen with far too many chefs and the clamor over which recipe to choose.  Well, the recipe depends upon each person’s tastes and that, my friend, will never be agreed upon.  The pursuit for productivity is an individual one, each person to choose their path.  This does not mean we are on the journey alone, only that our specific path will be ours.  Many have trod the path before and even more are doing so today. Each has something unique to offer and each ought to be explored.  In the future, I will post various resources that I’ve found useful as well as a complete meMethod guide that will be available likely within 6 months or so.  I look forward to sharing more on this topic.

What are some resources you’ve found helpful regarding productivity?  Any favorite blogs, books, or tools?

Every few months, I reach a boiling point in my personal productivity and life direction that calls for re-assessment. In essence, life “clutter” begins to cloud my brain and my objectives. What occurs is a decrease in productivity, organization, and operational clarity. Certain areas or projects may suffer in attempts to put out fires and continue forward. Apparently I am horrible at creating powerful habits and require a recharge, a time to step back and say “why do I do that? Why am I not doing this? What about that?” Well, friends, it has once again come to that point and I am beginning the routine re-organization. Each time it is re-addressed, I typically come to the table with a few new weapons, i.e. productivity methodologies acquired since the last assessment, and each time I get a little closer to finding the meMethod™ (what works for me). Some of the concepts and books I’ve been into include:

• Four Hour Work Week
• 7 Habits for Highly Effective People
• Getting Things Done
• Mission Control
• And of course, related blogs, mags, articles, etc.

So, I come to this point in hopes of maintaining a few more habits and concepts than last time, maybe placing this “boiling point” as my last. You may have experienced similar points in your own life. Why does it happen? Should it? Maybe it is good to just re-assess every few months? Maybe we ought to be in continual re-assessment, the idea of continual minor course corrections and maintenance versus substantial correction every quarter. Which is better? I have my opinions, which I will share here but let me know, what do you think?

Regular assessment ought to be part of one’s routine. I believe frequency will depend on the area of life we are exploring. Regular project productivity ought to be explored and assessed weekly while life mission and long-term alignment may receive a hard assessment quarterly, course corrections occurring with these assessments. There even ought to be a daily assessment (I’d say the end of the day) in order to align the following day. Each of the above programs may carry ideas regarding this assessment concept, calling it by different names. I have found value in each of these and have pulled from each in attempts to create the meMethod.

If you haven’t figured out, I am passionate about productivity and personal management. The meMethod is just that, the idea of an individualized concept built upon a flexible framework of productivity theories and strategies. Each person’s personality will synchronize differently with each strategy. Often, the best is to test. Try a few out and begin formulating your meMethod.

What are some other sources you’ve used and found effective for personal productivity, time-management, or however you define it?