Time Saving Secret

I've learned that little tasks often take up a lot of time, especially when they are allowed to pile up. And in some cases, thinking about doing the project, like paying bills, takes about as much time as it does to do the work. And if you repeatedly put off the task, then you spend a lot of time thinking about something you need to do.

Now I've adopted a "think it, do it" strategy. If I think that I should fold some shirts, I do it immediately rather than waiting until later. This way, the project gets done and I don't have to wonder about when I'll get around to it. So in a way, the immediate execution saves me time by taking it off my plate.

Of course, these low priority items should not interfere with scheduled events or used as a way to avoid starting blue chip projects. But if you're sometimes overwhelmed by a variety of small tasks, you may want to try this method. My goal is to spend a little time worrying or stressed out about the little stuff.

Communication Lessons from NYC

You can learn a lot about culture and communications by studying a city. During a recent trip to New York City, I took some time to observe and absorb the famous Times Square. While there you are distracted by countless marketing messages. At times, you can't absorb it all and I'd find myself not noticing a lot of details or stores that I couldn't see due to sensory overload.

Like many tourists, I took countless photos and I got used to seeing people taking snapshots. It seemed like everyone had a camera and I'm probably making a cameo appearance in many pictures.

The signs that caught my attention the most tended to be big, bold, and memorable. I felt sorry for some of the street vendors as they have to compete with such imposing messages. At the same time, I was grateful for the police who keep the area from becoming a pick pocket zone.

I've put together a video report about some communications principles I noticed in Times Square and you can access the clip below: