douglasmkelly's posterous

So, I started writing this blog post 21 days ago - I guess I've been too busy again. This is the final post in the "Too Busy" series. (I might just do a prequel ala CS. Lewis, though.) One of the primary things I've added to my life since a month ago, when I was so busy I couldn't see straight, was cross syncing software for iPhone, iPad and Laptop. Collaboration is extremely valuable to me as well. SimpleNote is one such app, that is open source. Open source makes it so others can write apps using their API (code) - adding new functionality that the drafters might not have envisioned.I've not started sharing SimpleNote yet, but once I'm comfortable using it - the functionality is there to allow for increased collaboration. Dropbox is becoming my favorite, can't-live-without collaboration app. Dropbox, as mentioned in a previous post is where you can drop files into the cloud and share them with other computers or people. That's been awesome for sharing files with affiliated partners as we work to quote new projects together.

EasyTask is another app that is cross device syncable. EasyTask has an app for the iPhone as well as a free web interface. You can setup projects and assign tasks. It does not have an SSL site so be careful in public WiFi. One more app that allows for some syncing is PaperDesk. It's a note taking app for the iPad that can sync online. The app has use of the keyboard or optional stylus. It also allows for voice memos. The Lite version is robust, but only allows for a limited amount of memos/notes.

I had really hoped that several of you would have added some thoughts of your own on the types of technology that you use to help you manage your lives better. So here's the appeal to the audience: Please comment below on some of the things you use, day to day, that make life easier. Give it to me full swing!

The biggest thing for me is ensuring that all my clients are taken care of in a timely fashion. As I add more and more clients to the funnel, I want them all happy. For instance, being able to access my email from anywhere is key. Luckily both Google Mail (GMail) and my hosting server allow for IMAP which leaves all my mail on the server to be access via web apps or browsers.

Something else I'm reviewing is SurgarCRM. One of my Affiliated Partners uses it and loves it. I'd love to hear if any of you are utilizing this Customer Relationship Manager, or if there is another open source app you like.

These changes giving me access to my information and files from anywhere haven't alleviated my busy-ness, but do make it so I can remain this busy but not let things fall through the cracks.

This post is meant as a followup to last week's post on having too many things pulling at my time. I discussed that I really wanted to see more of ArtPrize, but had conflicting time constraints not allowing me to experience as much as I'd like. Since that last post I've had even more requests of my day. I had to turn down invitations to political fund raisers and networking events as they just couldn't fit into my schedule.

So how have I started to better manage my time in the last week? For starters, I added Mozilla's Sunbird Calendar Thunderbird extension. It's called Lightening and it allows you to accept calendar invites in your email. Next, I synced up all my calendars including my iPad, iPhone, iCal, GCal and Lightening on the laptop. There's a great article for how on LifeHacker. I love LifeHacker. If you have a spare hour, just go peruse all the cool time saving, computer tweeking, and awesome apps out there that will help your life.

So allowing all my calendars to automatically sync themselves, cuts about 1/2 hour out of my day as I only need to sync the iPad with my laptop, or use google's calendar from the app, and make changes there.

Next I started using DropBox more. If I need to work on a particular file remotely or am delivering a look I drop the file in a DropBox folder and it's accessible from anywhere. That way I don't need to haul around the laptop for every little thing like my last AimWest Board Meeting. I could access to all my agendas right on the iPad. Google Docs works for most all docs, spreadsheets, images and PDFs. Those are all accessible on the iPad as well, and just as easily shared with groups and individuals. I don't need to pull out the lappy, wait for boot, get out a hard drive and locate the file. Instant access on the iPad! No Internet connection? No Problem! iPhone to the rescue with Google Docs and DropBox I can view all the files loaded there. This means that I don't need to perform an aRsync as I'm tring to run ou the door, late, to a client meeting. Next I need to locate some technology that automagically syncs my NAS, an attached HD and DropBox. Any suggestions?

One thing I could really use is a teleportation device, so that I don't have to spend so much time driving downtown, to the soccer fields, home, clients... Ooo ooo, and if Google Goggles was actually something you wore, where you could drive and access your documents, maps, contacts and other files.

Also as a followup - I was able to make it downtown to view some more of the ArtPrize pieces. I took in about 20 pieces at the B.O.B., outside the GRPM and on the Blue Bridge. That was only about 3 of the top-10, but 3 more than I had to that point. If you have a chance to do it with kids, you'll find out what's cool and what's not - if you need help with that.

Look for my next post on more technologies and tricks I'm implementing to help me better manage my time, tasks, thoughts, projects and overall life.

ArtPrize initial voting wraps up tonight at midnight. I've only physically been to 3 of the venues, but have seen some of the other pieces in a walk by or drive by. If you aren't from 'round here, ArtPrize is the largest art contest based in Grand Rapids MI. Artists from all over the world have come to win the $250K prize. I met one artist from Florida. I saw one guy from Tibet. Another from Israel. I'm sure there are lots more I didn't meet from many other countries.

I love art. I used to be a graphic artist. Three pieces that I created, in my early life, hang in my house. I create websites that I try to make works of art. I've not been to all 250 venues or even 10 because of all of the other things I'm doing. I belong to 5 networking groups, and have attended 2-3 others. I have been asked to join the board or leadership of 3 of these groups. I once told the president of one of the other organizations that I generally end up running groups that I join. It's been that way since High School. I don't know if it's because I'm opinionated or if I can just see new and better ways of doing things. What do you think?

One of the boards is for AimWest, a group I joined when I needed to get back into the sales game - I'm now their secretary. I believe they asked me to join their board because I'm opinionated, a technology geek and have growing ties in the community. If you've been reading this blog for a while, you know that I've become, essentially, a professional networker. I say professional because I've won a $100 golf outing and an iPad in the last year. But it's pretty bad that when you network so much they actually ask you to help run a group.

The other two groups aren't formally non-profits or are organized with actual boards (president/vice-pres/secretary/treasurers/etc) yet, which is why they've asked for my help. They want to be better organized, get speakers 3-5 months out and provide their membership more benefits to joining and attending meetings. GRAPE is having me do their website... which, yes it taking a while to get done - see the title of this post. Group management is looking for how we can grow the group, expand the membership to more types of professionals like doctors, lawyers, CEOs, CFOs... so we're looking to bring in different types of speakers that will promote that growth. GRSM, the third one, was started by a couple guys from ArtPrize. It's primary focus is on Social Media education. People can network too, but the prime reason for attendance is learning. This last month GRSM held a tweetup at the GR Public Museum, which had more than 70 ArtPrize entries. That's one of the 3 venue's I graced with my presence - but solely because I was working a group. I did get to see many of the pieces and use a new iPhone App called Scavenger Hunt (SCVNGR).

So, lets see, that's 5 groups I attend meetings of, 3 which I help manage - AND - I run a business that helps companies get found on google, look good, and have an easy time managing their websites. If you're just tuning in to me: Essentially Evolve can provide any solution from Website Design to Social Media Strategizitation (new word - check Doug's Dictionary), from content writing to branding, eCommerce, Content Management and even logo design. I have a bunch of resources that I use for these jobs, so my primary role is sales and project management of Evolve Solutions. That's a lot of work, in and of itself, so helping run all these groups is further draining me of time. The upside is that it is driving business my way. The downside is that I don't have as much time for fun.

Lastly I'm coaching 2 soccer teams. That takes about 8+ hours per week. My lawn looks like crap. The leaves are down. The grass could be mowed again before winter, and I don't have, but, 9 logs next to the house for the wood stove. I've not ridden either of my bikes more than 3 times since Spring.

If I've not called, written, IM'd, DM'd, or FaceBook Messaged/Commented you in a while, it's not because I'm ignoring you, it's because you didn't hire me, don't go to any of the groups I attend, or your kid doesn't play Y soccer in Lowell. Over the next couple weeks I'm going to try some new time, technology and life management tools. I plan on blogging about them over the next month. Yeah - something more to add to my schedule: blogging.

So all this being said, I'm still hoping to carve out some time to get back down to ArtPrize to see the final voting portion and see more pieces. If you see me down there this weekend say "Hi" and perhaps Bump with the SCVNGR app on your iPhone.