Author: Susan Johnston
Where Do You Work Best?
Some people need absolute, morgue-like silence to get real work done. Others are content to type away amidst chaos like chattering coworkers or screaming kids. As a work-at-home freelancer, I love being able to vary my work environment. It was tough when I had roommates who watched TV in myRead More
6 Tips for More Effective Email
We’ve covered tips for managing email overload, but the reality is that many of us are partially responsible for our own email insanity. If we sent fewer email messages and made sure that the ones we do send are clear and effective, then we’d have fewer incoming messages to read,Read More
Cool Technology Fantasies: What’s Your Wildest Tech Wish?
If you could wave your digital wand and create any time-saving, productivity-boosting tool or web app (never mind if it’s technically possible), what would it be? I’d love to find some kind of automatic attachment suggester. Sure, there are some useful email features, like the one in Gmail that willRead More
How Do You Track Deadlines?
Some people keep a giant calendar listing all of their deadlines. Others use online tools like Google Calendar or ReminderFox to keep track of important dates. Whatever your strategy, I think we can all agree that deadlines are pretty darn important. I use an Excel spreadsheet that lists all myRead More
What’s Your Favorite Work-Themed Movie?
One of the things I like to do in my spare time is catch up on movies. In an art-imitates-life fashion, there are oodles of office-themed movies in case you haven’t gotten your fix of life in the workplace. The classic workplace comedy is, of course, Office Space – whichRead More
Multitasking: Friend or Foe?
Recently, Harvard Business Review blogger David Silverman wrote a piece in defense of multitasking. Studies have shown that constant computer use, jumping back and forth between email and news sites and Facebook can lower our attention spans, decrease our productivity, and stress us out. But Silverman argues that multitasking isRead More
How Do You Handle Distractions?
Some people use headphones or a closed door to tell office mates when they’d rather not be disturbed. Some resort to web plugins to block certain websites that are just too good to resist (I’m looking at you, Facebook and ApartmentTherapy!). Others could work just fine with the TV blaring,Read More
5 Incredibly Useful Gmail Features
Most Gmail users are aware of its superior search capabilities, but there’s a whole lot more to love about this email program beyond that. Did you know it can save you from forgotten attachments or emailer’s remorse? Read on to discover some of Gmail’s little known, but incredibly useful features.Read More