I’m taking a sabbatical and have lined up a few posts ahead of time. I’ll also be re-sharing some of my fave OTR articles and introducing you to new guest authors as well as other interesting info while I’m away. Enjoy!
It sucks when hackers decide to muck up your website. It’s happened to me and OTR friend and Evernote Ambassador, Brandie Kajino, wasn’t immune to their attacks, either. She recently shared a few things she learned from the experience.
1. Hackers can happen to anyone. I’m assured it’s not anything I did, nor could I have done much more to prevent it. Someone with evil intent wanted to, and succeeded, in getting in and wreaking havoc on my websites.
3. Smart people make bad choices sometimes. I am awed at the talent these hackers exhibit. Seriously. Several uber-smart techie people I know were also hacked in this same way. ALL small business owners.
Check out the rest of what Brandie had to say and read the comments (give your two cents, if you’d like). One reader gave a very in-depth reply with tips on how to stop hackers from getting in the back door. Here’s one of them:
“Passwords are of course very important. I suggest using either 1Password (my personal favorite) or Last Pass (which I haven’t used but many people like) to create and store really secure passwords.”
If your site has ever been man handled by a hacker, I’d love to hear what you did about it.
I’m taking a sabbatical and have lined up a few posts ahead of time. I’ll also be re-sharing some of my fave OTR articles and introducing you to new guest authors as well as other interesting info while I’m away. Enjoy!
It’s time for a new 5 Minute Organizing Challenge! What can you do in 5 minutes to gain a little order in your life? You can put a few things back in place or gather your important items. Here’s a new set of five things for you to consider adding to your routine this month. Try try them on for size and feel free to suggest a few of your own.
1. Hate to remind you about this, but have you started pulling together some of the info you’ll need to get your taxes done? Maybe you can start by filling out your tax organizer. I’m sure your CPA sent you one. No time to do it right now? Put it on your task list.
2. Actually, you might just want to start writing that to do list. First, start your list for TODAY. Write down 1-2 things you WILL accomplish by day’s end (perhaps some holiday organizing tasks?). Then, capture all the other things you need to get done and add due dates.
3. Those shoes hanging about your door – put them away. Dirty socks, too? Throw them in the laundry basket. No, don’t put this on your list. Just do it!
4. How’s your car doing? Had an oil change or tune up lately? Schedule it or put it on your to do list.
5. Have you signed up for that thing you’ve been wanting to do but haven’t done yet? Yep, put it on your list. =)
Check out the October 2011 Organizing Challenge
*This contest is closed.
Wow! This is our third giveaway in just a couple of months! We hope you like getting FREE stuff that you can actually use to stay on top of things (read: not collect dust!). This time, we’re giving away a sample pack of Bindertek Signature Binders. As with the last giveaway, these products were sent to me free of charge so that I could test them out myself.
So, without further adieu, here’s my review of the binders. If you’re eager to get at your chance to win, scroll down for the rules.
What I Like
Colors. There are LOTS of colors to choose from – 17 to be exact! The colors I have are black and blue, and I’ve got to tell you, the blue is really vibrant. Can you picture your favorite colors on your shelf? Nice, orderly, and pretty? Of course, you can always choose black or the classic Barrister colors. =)
Function.
• Easy to Use. The binder lever (you know, the thingy you pull to open the rings) is not too stiff but is very sturdy. It opens the rings easily. The binder itself also opens easily without the papers flopping around or getting stuck.
• Spine Label. The label area on these binders are shorter than traditional binders, but that seems to be a plus. The label is easy to insert and remove, and I really hate wrestling with binder labels. It takes the fun out of labeling! =) You can write on the labels, type them, or put them in your printer. Use the custom templates to help you create the look you want (Windows users only).
• Durable. The binders are not flimsy and actually feel great. They have a wonderful linen texture and have reinforced bottom edges. So, when you’re pulling them off your shelf, they won’t get warped.
• Finger Hole. So, this binder has a hole in it. It might look a little weird, but it works. Just stick your finger in to pull it from the shelf. I could see this being really helpful if you have lots of binders on shelf. You wouldn’t have to pry the binder out. Instead, you’d simply use the finger hole to retrieve the one you want. Simple but very functional.
What Would Have Made Them Perfect
• Green. The binders I received are not made from recycled materials. The good news is that they do have a green line called EcoBound.
• Durability. So I’m not entirely sure whose fault this is, but I’m willing to take the blame. One of my binders has a small tear in the back. It is possible that I dropped the box or did some damage as it bounced about my office. The tear doesn’t stop the binder from working, but it’s there. I’m glad it’s not visible from the front.
• View Pocket. The binders I received do not have a viewing panel or pocket on the front so the only labeling area is on the spine. The folks at Bindertek did think about this and created the View Binders, but they only come in black and white.
What do you think? Would you give these binders a go? Here’s how you can enter to win a sample pack of Bindertek Signature Binders.
*Disclosure: We don’t give positive reviews for anything we do not believe in, and we’re always honest in our appraisal. Our content was not edited or directed in any way by Bindertek nor were we compensated for this review.
“The holiday season, which begins for most Americans with Thanksgiving and continues through New Year’s Day, often brings unwelcome guests — stress and depression.”
Read More:
Stress, depression and the holidays: 10 tips for coping | MayoClinic.com | 10.20.09
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It’s Thanksgiving Day in the US and we have the day off. If you’re a regular reader, you know that although I’m taking a little break from writing, there’ll still be lots for you read in the coming days. So, check back tomorrow and have a fabulous day, no matter where you are!
How do you feel about letting your kids play with your tech gadgets…aside from the fact that they may break them? Think it’s a good idea? When we use technology – the latest website, app, or tool – we’re usually trying to be productive or trying to find a way to make life easier…and we’re probably trying to have a bit of fun, too.
So, since children are miniature versions of ourselves, should we allow them to play with tech toys? Productivity for them might mean learning a new song or the alphabet or how to count. And, when you have gadgets made specifically for them, like the VINCI Tablet and Leapfrog games, should we stifle that productivity?
Or, are we protecting them from being caught up too soon in a world that’s unable to unplug? …unable to leave home without their iPad…or have a relaxing vacation without checking e-mail? Both VINCI and LeapFrog have gadgets geared toward children 0-36 months. 0 years. Is that too early??
And, should we be concerned about invisible, harmful tech rays that shoot of out these products? Ok, so I’m being a little dramatic, but are there really harmful effects? We keep hearing how cell phones expose us to radiation – so much so, that many people are now plugging in a corded handset to their mobiles to be on the safe side. Overly cautious?
What do you think? Too much fuss? Or, is there a real concern for children using tech?
If you’re struggling with your to do list, take a minute to get to know it a little bit. Understand it’s landscape and what should be on it. And, most importantly, what shouldn’t make it to your list at all.
To help you enhance your relationship with your to do list, I’m sharing this bit of advice from Merlin Mann’s 43Folders.com. This is just a snippet, so click on the link at the end to get more in-depth info.
Anatomy of a To-do
The primary idea of a to-do is that it’s a task that can and should be done–a point that might seem obvious until you start uncovering how many of the items on your to-do list may not belong there (or, conversely, how many uncaptured items do). The best and most useful to-dos share common qualities:
• it’s a physical action
• it can be accomplished at a sitting
• it supports valuable progress toward a recognized goal
• it’s something for which you are the most appropriate person for the job
Glancing at your own to-do list, do you see any potential troublemakers? Notice any items that make you squeamish? Any mystery meat tasks that seem “un-doable” as is?
Normally, our guest bloggers are featured on Thursdays, but since that’s a holiday this week in the US, we’re sharing an interesting piece by Victoria Brown. She thinks there’s an upside to being unorganized. What say you?
I am naturally an organized person, but running my own design business has taught me the merits of taking the disorganized approach from time to time.
Why do today when the goalposts might move tomorrow?
In all walks of life, the best laid schemes go awry. When working with clients, I find that the brief can change frequently throughout the course of a project, which can render previous work redundant. In this case, masterly inactivity is key. If you were to take the organized approach in this situation and do all the work as you receive it, your productivity would decrease, since you would spend more time undoing and redoing your previous endeavours.
Being organized can preclude enjoyment
Think about events and gatherings you have enjoyed, occasions where there was a real positive spirit and everyone had a good time. Were these the best organized occasions? Not necessarily.
An organized approach cannot manufacture a good time and often has the opposite effect. Couples invest thousands of pounds on their wedding day; families organize every minute of their holiday. In both cases, an inordinate amount of pressure is placed on one day or two weeks, which can never hope to live up to the expectations.
More important is that everyone feels relaxed and able to be spontaneous. Sometimes when we try to plan each and every little detail, enjoyment falls by the wayside.
Efficiency can be at the expense of getting things right
We often find ourselves working to a tight deadline so it pays to be organized, right? Wrong. Often trying to be too efficient and get things done too quickly can be the source of errors. If something is important and you need to get it right, it’s better to take the time to do so.
In addition, not everything can be managed efficiently. It takes time to comfort a friend who is upset or to appreciate the finer things in life, such as the arts. The more we live life according to a schedule, the more impatient and stressed we become, and the less time we have to stop and smell the roses.
An organized desk may not be a creative desk
Apparently a messy, cluttered desk represents a more intelligent mind. Certainly, being organized can prevent ideas from flowing freely. So you’re trying to write a book, but you know that there are chores to do. If you take the organized approach, the housework will get done but will you ever get around to writing the book?
Sometimes we need chaos around us to let the left side of our brains – the more creative part – take control.
Sleep on it and let your mind do the work
Sometimes information is organised in the brain in a seemingly chaotic way, but there are important links which the mind establishes in its own way. Taking your time over a task or problem can often allow your mind to forge these links without your “organized”, conscious mind getting in the way and dismissing valuable connections.
The upshot? Everything in moderation. Don’t punish yourself for taking the disorganized route every once in a while. You may find that it opens up new, creative opportunities in your life.
About The Author
Victoria Brown is an experienced, professionally qualified freelance Cambridge web developer committed to delivering bespoke, elegant and affordable web solutions to small and medium-sized businesses.
Connect With Victoria: Email | Web | Facebook | Twitter
“Busyness is the drug of choice for most women. Like any drug, Busyness is not only a downer; it’s a dangerous form of self deception. We fool ourselves into feeling productive…when actually we’re sabotaging our success.”
Read More:
Detox From Busyness | Forbes.com | 9.20.11
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Lauren Brown of Maid Brigade shares a few ways you can make the jump to green cleaning.
No matter where you are on the path to going green, or if you haven’t even started, there are several ways you can implement eco-friendly practices in everyday cleaning tasks. Here are some examples:
Easiest
• Use a high quality entrance mat to keep out dirt, allergens, and other contaminated particles
• Or make your home shoes-free
• Get good quality micro fiber cloths to clean better with fewer (maybe no) chemicals
• Use these cloths in a color-coded fashion, using separate cloths for the kitchen, bathroom, etc. to prevent cross-contamination of germs throughout the home
• Use micro fiber mops, not brooms, to remove daily traffic dirt and pet hair without stirring up more allergens
• Use the mildest cleaning solution possible for the job
• Watch the Signal Words on the product labels, avoiding anything stronger than a Caution! label
• Spray cleaners on the cleaning cloth, not the surface to be cleaned; overspray is a leading cause of unnoticed residues and airborne chemicals
• Wear rubber gloves to prevent absorption of chemical solutions and vapors through the skin
Medium
• Select products designed to work in cold water
• Select products with low or no VOC content
• Find products with a moderate pH, from 4 to 11
• Purchase products that come in recyclable containers
• Purchase green cleaning solutions in concentrated form and dilute into re-useable spray bottles
• Avoid products containing pesticides, organochlorines, formaldehyde, or APEs
• Avoid products containing known or suspected carcinogens, neurotoxins, reproductive toxins, developmental toxins or endocrine disruptors
Hardest
• Get a high filtration vacuum (preferably a HEPA filter) with a closed canister system to trap and remove 99.7% of particles 1 micron or larger (including dust, dirt, pollen, dust mites, pet dander, hair and mold – really tiny stuff)
• Go to a chemical-free dry steam vapor system to clean, deodorize, disinfect and kill mold, mildew and dust mites using water alone
• Purchase a water-ionizing system for a chemical-free portable device that effectively tackles just about everything (you may need something stronger on heavy grease and soap scum)
• Make your own natural cleaning products – like baking soda, lemons, vinegar, borax and vegetable-based oil soaps for ultimate knowledge and control of what is in your home
• De-clutter your home to make a more enjoyable environment for recharging and to make routine cleaning easier and faster
Take baby steps! Choose a few items here and there that seem doable and see and feel the difference.
About The Author
Lauren Brown is the Grass Roots Marketing Specialist with Maid Brigade. Lauren has been with Maid Brigade for three years, educating the community on the importance of going green for the health of the environment and our families. She emphasizes the value of using safer alternatives and how easy and affordable it can be to go green!
Maid Brigade is a residential cleaning service that uses only Green Seal certified cleaning solutions and green methods to clean homes. This ensures a safer work environment for their employees and a safer, healthier home for their clients.
Connect With Lauren: Facebook | Twitter | E-Mail | 703.823.1726
Connect With Maid Brigade: Facebook (DC Metro) | Web
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