There is a good chance to contribute your idle computing time to fight diseases. It takes only couple of secs to join.
You can join a world-wide computing grid. Then you can pick-up your favorite team to contribute together. There is advanced settings panel you can configure you connection time the way it does not hamper your daily work.
When idle, your computer will request data on a specific project from World Community Grid's server. It will then perform computations on this data, send the results back to the server, and ask the server for a new piece of work. Each computation that your computer performs provides scientists with critical information that accelerates the pace of research!
Here is the link to learn more about World Community Grid.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Friday, June 13, 2008
Being rich
When I ask myself what I want, an answer usually is: "To be rich."
But what means to be rich? I would like to share one of my favorites articles on the issue. Here it is: "Being rich" by David Wygant.
But what means to be rich? I would like to share one of my favorites articles on the issue. Here it is: "Being rich" by David Wygant.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
15 ways to raise your personal productivity
15 ways to raise your personal productivity
Dr. John McFerran
Not so coincidentally, that is also the principle behind the following practical tips for boosting your personal productivity. An ounce of efficiency is worth a pound of freedom.
By getting more done in less time, you can improve your quality of life -- in theory, working less for the same amount of money. You'll likely discover more time to take an invigorating walk, acquire a new skill, work on a personal project that's been on the back burner, tidy up and organize your workspace or simply bask in the glow of a job well done.
In fact, saving five minutes a day over a 35-year career adds up to 17 bonus weeks for you to spend any way you please. Finding an extra half an hour each day could equal two entire years of free time.
While there will always be obstacles -- unscheduled meetings, unexpected visitors or an unforeseen shift in priorities -- attempting to prevent you from accomplishing what you need to get done, most of us have the power to steer the workday in the direction we want it to go.
Here are 15 tactics to help you become more productive:
Triage your day: Like an emergency room short on time and resources, set up a system of sorting out daily tasks according to life-or-death urgency.
Activate deadlines: Give yourself a definitive deadline and use the clock to ensure you stay focused and force out any unnecessary distraction.
Be an early bird: Grab a coffee and get to work before anyone else. You'll be amazed at how much you can get done without people talking and phones ringing.
Make the worst first: Beat procrastination by immediately getting your most unpleasant task out of the way instead of delaying it until later in the day.
Seek out a cone of silence: If possible, pack up your portable computer and find a quiet place to park and work without interruption. If it's not possible to change location, try working with a headset on -- people will think you're on the phone, listening to music or unable to be disturbed.
Toss in something random: In the midst of a complex project, throw your brain a curveball by completing one small task: return a phone call, pay a bill, write a grocery list.
Be punctual: Always be on time for meetings and appointments. If possible, show up five minutes early so that you can get on with it then get on with your day. If the other party keeps you waiting, bring a planner that needs updating or an article you've been wanting to read. Use found time wisely.
Follow your gut: Indecision can suck time and energy out of your day. Rely on your gut instinct to make a decision, then stick to it. It's usually right anyway.
Ginsu the big projects: Slice, dice, chop and julienne intimidating projects into neat, bite-sized tasks. You'll feel more confident about managing the big picture once you realize that you're able to get things done and review the progress.
Get oxygen: Studies have shown that exercising for 30 minutes a day boosts your metabolism and your mental clarity, which improves your ability to concentrate.
Make a dent: Commit to completing something you've been putting off by getting it done little by little. Take five minutes to purge your inbox. On Fridays, devote 10 minutes to decluttering your desk. Put in the time, then stop.
Tack new tasks onto existing habits: If you always take lunch at 12:30, follow up your daily meal by immediately checking e-mails or putting files away. By regularly adding something to your routine, it quickly forms a good habit.
Delegate: Convince a co-worker to get it done for you.
Work in batches: Group together tasks that you can knock off in a single session. If you're going to the food court to grab a bite, drop off overnight courier packages and buy a 2008 office calendar on the way.
Plan tomorrow's first task: What is the first thing you want to accomplish tomorrow? Decide tonight and then set out all the materials you will need to get it done first thing. You'll be positioning yourself for another productive day.
John McFerran, PhD, CMC, C. Psych., F. CHRP, is founder and president of People First HR Services Ltd. For more information, visit www.peoplefirsthr.com.
Dr. John McFerran
Not so coincidentally, that is also the principle behind the following practical tips for boosting your personal productivity. An ounce of efficiency is worth a pound of freedom.
By getting more done in less time, you can improve your quality of life -- in theory, working less for the same amount of money. You'll likely discover more time to take an invigorating walk, acquire a new skill, work on a personal project that's been on the back burner, tidy up and organize your workspace or simply bask in the glow of a job well done.
In fact, saving five minutes a day over a 35-year career adds up to 17 bonus weeks for you to spend any way you please. Finding an extra half an hour each day could equal two entire years of free time.
While there will always be obstacles -- unscheduled meetings, unexpected visitors or an unforeseen shift in priorities -- attempting to prevent you from accomplishing what you need to get done, most of us have the power to steer the workday in the direction we want it to go.
Here are 15 tactics to help you become more productive:
Triage your day: Like an emergency room short on time and resources, set up a system of sorting out daily tasks according to life-or-death urgency.
Activate deadlines: Give yourself a definitive deadline and use the clock to ensure you stay focused and force out any unnecessary distraction.
Be an early bird: Grab a coffee and get to work before anyone else. You'll be amazed at how much you can get done without people talking and phones ringing.
Make the worst first: Beat procrastination by immediately getting your most unpleasant task out of the way instead of delaying it until later in the day.
Seek out a cone of silence: If possible, pack up your portable computer and find a quiet place to park and work without interruption. If it's not possible to change location, try working with a headset on -- people will think you're on the phone, listening to music or unable to be disturbed.
Toss in something random: In the midst of a complex project, throw your brain a curveball by completing one small task: return a phone call, pay a bill, write a grocery list.
Be punctual: Always be on time for meetings and appointments. If possible, show up five minutes early so that you can get on with it then get on with your day. If the other party keeps you waiting, bring a planner that needs updating or an article you've been wanting to read. Use found time wisely.
Follow your gut: Indecision can suck time and energy out of your day. Rely on your gut instinct to make a decision, then stick to it. It's usually right anyway.
Ginsu the big projects: Slice, dice, chop and julienne intimidating projects into neat, bite-sized tasks. You'll feel more confident about managing the big picture once you realize that you're able to get things done and review the progress.
Get oxygen: Studies have shown that exercising for 30 minutes a day boosts your metabolism and your mental clarity, which improves your ability to concentrate.
Make a dent: Commit to completing something you've been putting off by getting it done little by little. Take five minutes to purge your inbox. On Fridays, devote 10 minutes to decluttering your desk. Put in the time, then stop.
Tack new tasks onto existing habits: If you always take lunch at 12:30, follow up your daily meal by immediately checking e-mails or putting files away. By regularly adding something to your routine, it quickly forms a good habit.
Delegate: Convince a co-worker to get it done for you.
Work in batches: Group together tasks that you can knock off in a single session. If you're going to the food court to grab a bite, drop off overnight courier packages and buy a 2008 office calendar on the way.
Plan tomorrow's first task: What is the first thing you want to accomplish tomorrow? Decide tonight and then set out all the materials you will need to get it done first thing. You'll be positioning yourself for another productive day.
John McFerran, PhD, CMC, C. Psych., F. CHRP, is founder and president of People First HR Services Ltd. For more information, visit www.peoplefirsthr.com.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)