Offline is good

1. Don't want to pay for extra data plan.
2. Don't need to be always connected.
3. Don't want to spend 16h a day in front of computer with browser always open.
4. Don't want worry about privacy and data protection.
5. Don't want to be depended on availability of services or internet connection.
6. Don't want to be distracted by pings and beeps from online services.
7. I like to have my stuff on the desktop.
8. My stuff is always there whenever I need to use my computer.
9. I try to divide life between computer and non computer activities.
10. I try to limit my focus to a single thing.
11. Nothing beats the “screen resolution” of paper.

Success is not a one way street.

Just watched great presentation by  Richard St. John about a success as a continuous journey.

Check it out yourself here

Areas of Responsibility as development tool

Recently I've been thinking about creating new opportunities looking at new things to explore and learn. At the same time I was moving some parts of my GTD implementation to Freemind. This was highly influenced by the interview with Michael Deutch who's a chief evangelist for Mindjet's Mind Manager. I'm using Freemind only because it's free although I'm amazed by the functionality of the Mind Manager is just too high  program.
One of the element I've been looking at was the Areas of Responsibility.
In the original approach these are used as trigger list, reminder of things that are important in your life but are not projects or actions. They are ongoing activities that don't have end or completion status. Typically they include stuff like personal finance, family, friends, home, work and many more. A regular use of Areas of Responsibility can help you establish where you are, what are the areas that were neglected and need some action.

This approach serves as tool to maintain status quo, to keep your self on the ball with various facets of your life. Recently I've realised that this can be used as tool to establish yourself in the new areas and develop new behaviours, learn new skills and perhaps reshape your life.

The idea is very simple. Add new areas of responsibility to your list and follow the process of regular review of it. New element may not be concrete enough yet and still may require clarification but by placing it in your system you give yourself a right to look at it regular basis and generate some projects and actions which will lead you toward full incorporation of the new role.
To maintain proper balance there is a need to eliminate one or more roles that are no longer valid. Although it may not be possible to drop them completely at once it’s important to remember that it’s not possible to add new roles with out impacting (damaging?) others.

Here is little example of how I see the areas of responsibility can work.
Let say you want to become a podcaster. You add this to your list of roles. From that point this will work as described in the GTD book.

You can generate images of how it's to be a podcaster. Envision what are the traits of podcasters, how they work, what they do, etc. It's purely visioning exercise that you can do in your head or on paper. This way there is an image(s) which will show up every time you look at your list.

Then you can start with generating projects that will help you become who you want. In the case of a podcaster this can include recording some trial podcasts, learning voice editing, etc.

Then you can dig deeper and create action for your projects.

As you can see this is not a great departure from the getting things done methodology in terms of the process. But instead of on focusing what is here and now you can move to looking at your future. By adding roles/areas that aren't there yet you can initiate the necessary shift and begin process of change. 

New Live of the old Pocket PC

Couple years ago I got the Dell Axim X3 PDA. I've used it for couple months in hope to expand my productivity and get organized. Since nothing remarkable happened it landed in the back of the drawer for a long time.

I've thought about putting it on e-bay but that never happened. I guess it doesn't make sense now as I've seen some auctions selling it for €20-30, roughly 10% of the original cost.

Recently I got really hooked up by the iPod Touch, well really it was the iPhone but decided it's too expensive so I focused on the Touch. I've been looking at different online shops and wasn't happy either, it's cheaper than the iPhone but still costs a good €200.

After looking at all the features of the Touch I realised that my old Dell Axim has almost the same. I may not look as cool as Apple’s product but it's good enough.

Both devices have WiFi so it's possible to use internet on the go.

There is touch screen with similar size although the image quality isn’t as good.

The Touch has a bigger memory but that's not a major issue as the Axim has SD card slot.

Battery life may cause some problems as the device is three years old but I think I’ll be fine.

The real power of Axim lies in it's ability to be expanded through free software. In fairness iPod Touch can also be expanded this way but you are limited to offer of Apple Store. After couple hours of search I come up with a list of apps that turn my old Axim into a solid device.

1. Thumb typing – I found a Happy Tapping Keyboard. This allows me to type with my thumb fingers and not use the stylus.
2. E-book reading – I downloaded free Mobipocket Reader and uBook. Both programs have similar functionality but the Mobipocket Reader has a nicer user interface.
3. Audio & video - I generally use the standard Windows Media Player. It's sufficient for my needs and I can easily sync podcasts or video with my laptop. 
4. Writing - I have Stowaway portable keyboard so after installing drivers this makes perfect "on the go" writing companion.
5. Internet – the standard Pocket Explorer is enough but it can always be replaced with something more powerful if needed (I look forward to release of the Fennec if it will work on Windows Mobile 2003).
6. Calendar & tasks – this is  supported natively and with use of Outlook all your appointments are with you. Although it's nice feature I don;t use it as the primary purpose of this device is media and text consumption.
7. RSS  -  the potable version of the FeedDeamon – this way you can keep up with your favourite blogs and news.

Overall result is that I have small device that I can use for reading and writing whenever I want with out a need of spending money for latest and greatest gadgets.

For some more inspiration on how to put life into your old laptop see post on The Simple Dollar.

Personal ID Card

Do you carry any identification document when running or cycling?

Is it easy for others to help you in case something happens?

As runner and cyclists I have a limited amount of space where we can carry important bits and pieces. Usually mp3 player, keys, water/food are on the top of the list. In the summer when you are running in shorts and a t-shirt there is even less space.

Recently I realised that there is one element which I find important but often over looked. Therefore not always with me. It's ID card.
Why ID card is important?

First of all if you train alone there is no one to identify you or call family in case of any emergency. Even if you have a phone there is a great chance that you need a pin to unlock it. If someone needs to find out who you are and call your wife or mother it will not be possible.

Secondly you can provide some information about yourself that will help identify you. The standard government issued ID will be helpful but it's will give only basic details.That's why you I suggest to create your own ID card.

Advantages

There are two advantages of such card over the official ID

• You can put much more relevant information on such card:
  • The usual name and address (the later not really necessary)
  • Details of a person to contact in case of emergency.
  • Some medical information. I wear contact lenses on daily basis so I would like to have them removed properly. Others are allergic or use some special medicines.

• You don't have to carry your official ID and limit chances of loosing it. (Unfortunately in some countries you do need to have ID on you by law) 
  • This may not be that obvious but for me this actually important. If I loose my ID or driving licence I will cost me some money and couple visits to embassy to get the replacement.

Creation

There are many formats you could use but I suggest to stick with standard credit card size. This way it can be easly attached to the back of your phone or put into your shoe or sock.
I've used an old medical insurance card where I scrapped all data. Then I attached index cards on both sides (any paper will do fine) and trimmed the excess.
This way each side has around 5 lines of text that you can fill.
Last element is is to protect it from the element - which means mostly from sweat.

The card is easy and simple to do but hopefully it will never have to be used.