Make It Happen

In a departure from my usual analysis and perspective, I thought that I would comment on some of the most useful gadgets that I regularly use. Each of them share one thing in common: they save me time, reduce frustration, and are generally very clever.

Not in any particular order:

The Flip: This is a cell-phone sized video camera that has one-button simplicity, as well as a built-in USB plug that "flips" out of the side. Time from filming to YouTube upload is measured in minutes. The Flip records one hour of YouTube quality video.

Olympus Digital Voice Recorder WS-210S: Like The Flip, this has a built in USB plug. It records up to 138 hours (or a bit less with higher quality) It's great for quickly recording ideas and practicing speeches.

Logitech remote pointer for PowerPoint, model R-R85: This small remote has all of the required functions, but doesn't overwhelm with buttons. Bonus: a count-down timer causes the unit to vibrant at present intervals, to give a sense of timing.

CardScan Executive: This handy device scans business cards, and then synchronizes them with Outlook. While the character recognition isn't perfect on cards with bizarre fonts, it is a truly clever timesaver.

Dymo LabelWriter 400: This printer only does one thing - print labels very well.

Tablet PC: In my case, I use a glacially slow ThinkPad X41T, but to be able to use a stylus to annotate, draw pictures, and highlight existing documents is huge - and cool.

iPod and iTunes: Any model will do; these clever devices allow a relaxing escape while travelling, or greater accessibility to professional development. And the iTunes store, while not a gadget in its own right, has opened up a world of music.

I am writing this as I'm sitting in an airport terminal, enjoying yet another flight delay. In particular, I am sitting in a seat where I can survey all of my fellow passengers. It is very rare that I find an entire three hours (and counting) where I can spend time thinking, writing, and preparing for meetings without interruption. When I need a break, my fellow passengers provide ample entertainment. They fit into several categories:

The angry ones: They pace back and forth, upset at the delay, scowling at the gate attendants, and often raising their voices in anger. Perhaps they haven't realized that weather delays are beyond anyone's control, and no amount of anger can make the incoming airplane land faster.

The time wasters: This group of people are spending their time playing computer games, staring into space, or catching a cat-nap. They haven't realized that once the time is gone, it can no longer be recaptured. And if you spend all of your time waiting, you'll have missed most of the journey.

The cell-phone complainers: This group uses the time to call friends, workmates, and family to complain about the delay. They haven't figured out that most people aren't interested in hearing about their complaints and problems.

The driven do-ers: This is the group that is either using the time to do work, read a journal to actually gain benefit, or spend time on the phone strengthening their relationships. There is a very fine line between this last group, and the first three. It is precisely this difference that determines your success on the job - and in your relationships.

This week's action item: When you are faced with an unexpected delay or a long line-up, how do you deal with it? Why not bring something with you, so that whenever you have the "opportunity" of unscheduled time, you can use it productively.

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Randall Craig
www.RandallCraig.com
www.PersonalBalanceSheet.com/news