We’re big fans of Lifehacker here at Think Productive UK, especially their “How I Work” series
So, we thought we’d do our own version – and introduce you to Ninja, Dawn O’Connor.
Dawn is Director of Think Productive UK, Canada
WHAT HARDWARE DO YOU USE?
Desktop PC with Windows 7 and Outlook.
Samsung Galaxy III Android phone
WHAT SOFTWARE DO YOU USE?
I LOVE Outlook! I am also a big fan of One Note and Evernote. I use Google Apps as my ‘server’ pushing email to Outlook and syncing all email, calendar and contacts on all my devices….but I still get to enjoy the Outlook interface on my main PC.
WHAT MOBILE APPS AND TO-DO APPS DO YOU LOVE?
For a friendly simple To Do app try TeuxDeux. I also recommend Producteev, and Toodledo to many clients. I am personally quite reliant on Colour Notes – its nothing slick or complicated, just a simple tool on my phone for capturing quick lists, thoughts and interesting tidbits from magazines in waiting rooms.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PRODUCTIVITY BOOK?
Of course I am a bit biased but the best one is “How to be a Productivity Ninja“. Also, any organizing or time management book by Julie Morgenstern.
HOW DO YOU ARRANGE YOUR DESK?
Loosely organized into zones – one corner for work in progress, and another for loose bits of paper that I write random thoughts, numbers, passwords etc…Every week or so I gather up the bits and get them into the system where they belong (ie Tasks, Contacts, Notes in Outlook). A simple A-Z paper file system keeps the desk surface mostly clear…..but I do tend towards a few piles here and there.
DO YOU USE ANY PRODUCTIVITY OR TIME-SAVING TRICKS IN YOUR HOME LIFE?
Bin and label everything possible. And then label the shelves the bins sit on so that people know where to put stuff away (which marginally increases the chances of finding things after my kids have used them).
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PRODUCTIVITY TRICK OR TECHNIQUE?
Plan. Plan. Plan. Then execute.
WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST PRODUCTIVITY STRENGTH AND WEAKNESS?
Strength: Follow-up and follow-through. Outlook Tasks keep me on top of client follow-up cycles.
Weakness: Notebook addiction (too many on the go), paired with messy handwriting means that I can sometimes lose ideas or tasks because I can’t decipher my own writing. I am working on keeping only ONE notebook at a time. And, training myself to print more carefully to capture key information legibly, instead of a volume of messy, mysterious scribbles.
AWAY FROM WORK, WHAT DO YOU LOVE THE MOST?
Cooking with my son. Roller-skating with my daughter. Reading, drinking wine and eating chocolate.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PRODUCTIVITY QUOTE?
“Do not remove a fly from your friend’s forehead with a hatchet” – Chinese Proverb
Like this? Try these
Sign up for one of our Time Management courses
Find out how our other Ninjas work – Graham Allcott and Sharon Dale
Find your own perfect productivity app
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