That is a bit of a strange title for a Top 10 list, I admit. Yet as I looked back on the year, these tools had the most profound effect on my work and personal life, with the exception of one. As we come to the end of the year and gift giving season, some of these may make planning for next year simpler or provide that last minute gift idea.
- iPhone 5s and Siri: I did not intend to upgrade my iPhone 4, yet the release of iOS 7 forced my hand as it slowed my 4 to a crawl or worse, a freeze. What I didn’t have with the 4 was Siri, and though often made fun of, she is actually very helpful. The more you utilize her the better she gets to know you. The most productive use I have found is for “dictating” rather than typing emails or notes. One of my clients uses Siri to document client meeting notes and follow-up items or tasks. The note is emailed to the assistant for final touches and sent to the client. Tasks and follow-up items are then assigned. Speaking rather than writing notes can be highly efficient and far safer when driving!
- Microsoft Office 365: Do you want to sync your iPhone and iPad with Outlook on your PC? Then this is the tool for you. For a mere $6 per month, this tool does that and more. For non-exchange users, did you ever wish you had “out of office” email reply capability? This does it for you. It also includes SkyDrive for storage and retrieval of documents whether on your PC, phone or tablet.
- Track My Mileage App: I just knew there had to be a better way to track my business miles than the old paper log I was using and yes, indeed there is. TMM is available for free and helps you record your mileage in a manner that would stand up to IRS scrutiny should you ever be audited. Worried that an app and the data it contains might suddenly disappear? You can have the app email the data to you and it comes in a format ready to prove those business miles you drove.
- Audible: Since many of us do spend an incredible amount of time in our cars, why not turn it into a university of learning? Audible (Audio Books) has an extensive library of books to keep you safely occupied during drive time. I have significantly increased the number of books read this year simply by utilizing time that was otherwise unused. This tool led to the discovery of the following two titles, which have also served to shift my thinking and way of doing things.
- Do the Work by Steven Pressfield: This is a brilliant book on breaking through the resistance that we all encounter when we do something different, which can include acting on our dreams. If you want a kind, gentle and encouraging message to move you along your way, this book is not for you. If you want someone to call you on your reluctance, your inactivity and your excuses, then listen to (or read) this work.
- Business Brilliant by Lewis Schiff: Do you like knowing what has made other people successful? Successful as measured in dollars and lots of them? This book is packed with research, conducted by both Lewis Schiff and a well-known name to financial advisors, Russ Alan Prince. You will be astounded to learn many of the misconceptions held around achieving financial success. Some of you may not like what you hear. Yet a good book or education will challenge your thoughts and beliefs, giving a firmer conviction to what is true for each of us. I have listened to this book twice, the same as with Do the Work, and am also reading it. Amazon’s Audible and Kindle have a unique WhisperSync app that allows you to pick up where you left off, either reading or listening.
- UP Band and App by Jawbone: I exercise most days and considered myself an active person, until I got the UP band, a gift from my family. Do you know how detrimental sitting is to the human body? Do you realize how much you sit and are inactive in a given day? I surely didn’t and the UP band makes that crystal clear. The primary functions of the band are to track your daily steps and your sleep, two of the most critical aspects in maintaining good health. It does so much more, from tracking food intake to waking you at the lightest part of your sleep cycle. Get the UP band and get up!
- KettleWorX®: Two years ago, I provided a review of this DVD workout utilizing kettlebells. Two years later I am still faithfully doing my KettleWorX® workouts. Fast, fun and easy is the tag line for the workouts. I am not sure I agree with easy as I am challenged every time I do a KettleWorx® workout. A six-week program leads you through varied exercises that give you cardio, resistance and core training in addition to increasing your flexibility. All in a work-out that requires a commitment of only 20 minutes, 3 times per week. Who can’t manage that?
- Amazon: What can I say? This company is the beneficiary of much of my household spending as well as my investment in continued personal growth. Kindle and Audible are both part of Amazon supporting my reading habits. Oh, but you like immediate gratification? They have not yet figured out how to “beam” a physical item but they are working on something close. Check out this 60 Minutes interview on the future of Amazon. If you elect for a Prime membership ($79 plus tax), “free” two-day shipping is available on many items. For many of my household goods, such as laundry detergent, bird seed and cosmetics, I can afford to wait two days. Actually, it pays me to wait, as it is one less errand to run and less opportunity to buy things at the store that weren’t on the list!
- Workflowy: This is the one item that I have not used extensively. It has gotten great reviews from those with many projects and “to-do’s” to organize. I am giving the app a test run for my holiday gift planning, not a large task in my world, but something “to-do” and manage. It has ease and simplicity in its structure which makes it productive, rather than a time-suck right off the bat. Support for the use of the app is also simple and the how-to emails are welcome rather than annoying. I admit that I am not the best test candidate for an app to manage a “to-do” list, as I don’t have one. Once Amazon figures out grocery delivery, that list will be gone for me, as well! Coaching and my own personal development have made a to-do list obsolete. Would you like the same? Contact me to learn more.
Disclaimer: The tools mentioned above do much more than what I have described. I’ve simply highlighted the features that have made my life better and fitter! Other tools and apps can likely perform similar functions. These are the ones that have worked for me.
This is our last message for the year. I wish you and yours a wonderful holiday season!