Get Everything Done

Hello everyone!

I'd like to thank Mark for this little bit of real estate on his site. May his generosity be an inspiration to us all.

I'll create a first post with all the info to the basic questions I often get and then post updates from the videos when they arrive. Please feel free to comment or ask questions!

The Basic Website can be found here: http://www.eriklorrain.com/
It's called Sources.
I can be reached at: webmaster@eriklorrain.com
You can follow my updates on Twitter: http://twitter.com/iSources
The Videos are all in a Blog that is here: http://www.eriklorrain.com/Sources/iVideoBlog/iVideoBlog.html
It has an RSS feed for those who like updates that way.

The basic format is "Google Waves" so Internet Explorer will not see the videos.
If you are in that situation and don't want to try another browser,
all the videos are hosted on Vimeo here: http://vimeo.com/user4254877/videos
But we would not be able to benefit from your comments and contribution.

If you want to participate to the discussions, you have 2 options.
Subscribe to Google Wave and the Group (the way to do that is shown in the video on the Main Page).
Or leave comments on the video pages themselves (anybody can do that easily like here). But since it is not like here (a forum), you will have to go back to that particular page to see if there are comments.

The next Video is up and running.
It is part 3 of the series "Of Lists and Habits" and it concentrates on Habits.
I'm a little disappointed with the result but I think it's fair enough.
Hope you like it.
Oh, and sorry for the shock... I transformed rather suddenly!

Thank you Erik. Another great input on habits. I will start applying it right away.

I was trying to use colored time blocks for years but I was putting them in a time-grid (schedule) and it gave me much lower feedback than your system.

Now I realize that seeing well where the time goes is better to knowing when it happened. But maybe for a while I will use the schedule as my crutch.

And the transformation is great. You look younger.

Have a good time on your vacation.

+AJPM+

Naah, your haircut looks nice. Kinda reminds me of Vegeta ^___^

I have been following your posts and blog for the past week, gonna watch the rest of your new video. Keep up the good work!

+AJPM+

Erik, you mentioned in your last video that you have a teleprompter with an outline that you read during each of your videos. Why don't you upload the said outlines for all the videos for us to read and guide us when we are watching them?

I take notes when I watch Erik's videos, same as when I read a book. I fold a piece of paper in half, write notes on one side and my own thoughts or questions on the other side. I also use index cards. When I write things down they seem to go in better.

@nuntym

This is actually a very good idea. What format do you think people would prefer. I personally like PDFs. But there is the gnawing feeling that it could potentially distract people instead of help them...

@ Erin

I like this way of taking notes. I never saw it before. I'm gonna steal it and use it from now on ;)

HTML

I have only IE and cannot see Erik videos... Can anybody (when not Erik) make only very, very small explanation of "My System" for us, who cannot watch these videos...?

Pavel,

You can watch the videos on Vimeo:
http://vimeo.com/user4254877/videos

@smileypete

Thanks for the help!


@Pavel

Also, know that Firefox and Safari to name but a few are all FREE and install in a snap.
They all import your bookmarks and passwords if you want.
And they all provide the full experience of the net (they can see HTML5).

Firefox: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/firefox.html
Safari: http://www.apple.com/safari/
Chrome: http://www.google.com/chrome
Opera: http://www.opera.com/

I use and prefer Safari :)

Added a Google Calendar for you to see what is happens when. You can also take Appointments of 1 hour to talk about my System or your Projects!
http://www.eriklorrain.com/Sources/iCalendar.html

+AJPM+

Erik,

Sorry for the late reply.

I concur with Alan, HTML might be the best outline format. PDF is a pain to read online, especially when viewing a video, and I am too lazy to print.

I would however suggest to not make the outlines TOO detailed; we lurkers like to read more than watch, especially concerning how-to's. Very detailed outlines would tempt us to ditch your videos and just print the outlines and read them at our leisure :p

I forgot my book (system) the other day. I thought of Erik's idea about a watch, maybe my system was a crutch. I ended up using some big colored stickers on a piece of blank paper and just kept track of what kind of energy I was using. It ended up a productive day.

@nuntym
Exactly my thoughts!
I decided on an image and I'll explain about it on the next video.

@Erin
Great!

New Video Out!
"Of Lists and Habits: Recap"
Last in the series...
I released it a day early because I will not be home tomorrow ;)

+AJPM+

I've just finished your new video. Thanks for the call-out ^___^

And an "Official Declaration of Procrastination..." LOL! Nice concept, I think I'm gonna use that regularly.

@nuntym

Call-out -> Don't mention it!
And thanks for the reaction: "LOL" was what I wanted out of this idea.
I find it works great for me :)

The site has been revamped a little for better access to everyone.
From now, anyone with ANY browser can access the videos and
everyone can post comments.

The real discussions are still on Google Wave but they are hidden behind the scenes for now.

The site is also GORGEOUS on the iPad!

But iPhone says no good, you need vimeo plus to make bids for iPhone :(

Yes, I know...
I can't afford a subscription to their "Plus" account.
I wanted iPhone videos bad but it will have to be for when/if the website creates revenue.
The thing is that, it is not my goal so... might take a while before I get a paying account at Vimeo ;)

New Video Up: "Thank You!"
To all those who have supported me.
Also, the Future of the Website and Food for Thought.
http://bit.ly/b7X8Ec

Added a Main Wave where you can access all the other Waves on the site for better navigation In and Out of Google Wave. http://bit.ly/bUYwoL

A new Video is Up!:
"The Pareto Principle"
This video is the first in the Series of: "Concepts & Ideas".
It touches on "The Pareto Principle" more commonly known as the 80/20 rule.
http://bit.ly/aczaHp

This is an amazing amount of effort you're putting into this Erik! How long does it take to plan, write, record these weekly videos? I expect it's a lot more than a written blog.

I'm just starting to watch these videos, and that's also a big effort. The thing is you need to stop and think how to apply ideas to your own life if you want the value.

@Alan

Thanks for noticing :)
It takes about 6 - 8 hours total to do the research, brainstorm the synopsis, prep the prompter, film, edit and publish. You are right in saying that it probably takes more time then a written blog but I never did those so I couldn't say for sure. Fortunately, I know that if I spend about 2 blocs per day on it, I should get by for one video a week.....! (We'll see) One thing is certain though; I'm getting better at it and more comfortable in front of the camera so it's taking less time each time and the end result is nicer too I hope.

Thanks for watching by the way. I understand that especially in the first ones, there was a lot of stuff embedded in them. I also find that there is a kind of interaction that is needed from the part of the listener.

I don't believe there's a tool that will do everything for you automatically. The only thing we can do is understand the nature of time, attention and such and come up with our own solutions. I also think that most of the people coming up with systems are right in their own way so I try to incorporate their way of doing things at the best places in my Life Management. ex: Energy for Currency, Kanban for Flow and Pomodoros for Value Blocs, etc...

I try to give some of my ways of using that knowledge but then again, don't feel forced to follow them. But if you have specific questions about some of the ideas I talk about, feel free to ask or even try to get a conversation with me online on Skype for example. A few people did already :)

+AJPM+

<<I don't believe there's a tool that will do everything for you automatically. The only thing we can do is understand the nature of time, attention and such and come up with our own solutions. >>

Exactly how I have treated your videos, Erik. I first tried to copy your own brand of time management, but I realized that my own circumstances and personality mean that I will not be able to. So I shifted gears and just tried to take home what I could from your videos and applied them to my own TM. Suffice to say, it has worked wonders ^___^

Thank you very much for all of your efforts, Erik. At least for my part, it was not all in vain.

God bless.

A new Video is Up!: "Bucketing"
This video is the first in the Series of: "The Nature of Actions".
IIt concentrates on the Basics of those plus the Bucketing concept.

Length: 21:02min
Permanent Link: http://bit.ly/avqH8n

@nuntym

It's such a great feeling to know that it helps at least one other human being.
And from the looks of it, there seems to be a few around.
"Thank you"s like this go a long way in keeping me motivated :)

Erik,

I saw the video, but I am not sure how to apply it or use it. Maybe the next video will explain that.

Wow, now I'm really flattered!
Thanks for watching Mark!!!

The first video I ever made created some wave over the fact that it was long and I thought that it was a valid argument... So I started to break the series into smaller chunks and trickle them out.

You are right in assuming that the upcoming videos on the subject will cover the actual use of it (or at least that's what I'll try to do). The first one is only an entry into the topic and creating a level field where everybody can be somewhat clear about the topic, the vocabulary and the inherent differences in the subject matter.

But there is also something that I should point. It's that I don't give that many tactical advice (tricks you can actually do or use). I give some but I think I give more information about the nature of some of the stuff that comes up often in time and life management. Look behind what we believe is true and show it for what it is. From there, everyone can use their preferred system and put to use the knowledge they gained... That's my hope at least :)

Just out of curiosity, did you look at any other video?

@Ilse

Oh! I just noticed your post way up there in the beginning of this thread.
Thanks for the kind words! You also made me think quite a lot about using colored blocks as scheduled items but as you said it doesn't give as much feedback then a budget...

@Erik

You're welcome. I watch all your videos the moment they're up. They let me reflect on my "system" in small, non-overwhelming bites.
Thank you for your great work.

There will unfortunately be no video this week...
It's my wife's birthday and we will be going to Seaworld.
Don't worry, I'm not forgetting about you all!

Ok, I said there would not be any video this week and I'm sorry to report that I lied ;)

I wanted to present this video because it shows why I have an interest in making a video blog instead of a written one. I discovered it a few days ago and I thought it might interest you. I also highly encourage you to visit the TED website for a lot of great concepts and ideas!

TED's Chris Anderson says the rise of web video is driving a worldwide phenomenon he calls Crowd Accelerated Innovation -- a self-fueling cycle of learning that could be as significant as the invention of print. But to tap into its power, organizations will need to embrace radical openness. And for TED, it means the dawn of a whole new chapter ...

Length: 18:53 min

Permanent Link: http://bit.ly/a01rty

Erik, I'd like to give your system a try. Could you provide the steps for the initial setup?

Thanks in advance

@Jim

Hello Jim and thanks for the interest!
The first you should probably do is look at the video on My System:
http://bit.ly/dhA1qB
But I gather from your question that you probably already saw it and you are looking for more specifics on the implementation of it.


So, here is how to bootstrap in my "I" system:

1 - The very first thing you need to do is figure out how much time you usually have to manage each day. So take 24 hours and subtract the time you want to sleep, the time you take to eat comfortably and the time it takes for you to groom yourself each day. These are things you want to, should and have to do. What's left is the number of hours you have to manage.

2 - Take these hours and divide them by 2 to get the number of Pomodoros (or blocks) you get each day. And for every 4 put one aside for a big break. Just keep a total of the breaks to get an idea of how much slack time you'll have each day. But what we really need is those Blocks that are actually providing you value :)

3.1 - Then we start to budget. I figured that for me I had 21 blocks in a day putting aside all that I mentioned above. Your number will probably be different. I also have to point out that I am recovering from an illness so my budgeting is probably on the real safe side.

3.2 - Define broad categories of activities you do each day considering the type of energy you use to do them. I have these:
- Rest and Relaxation: Real relaxation where I take time to smell the roses if you will.
- Health and Exercise: Almost purely physical stuff because I have a limited amount of that.
- Creativity and Learning: Use of high mental energy and growing yourself (Projects)
- Maintenance and Review: Rolling the ball up the slope each day (not difficult but not inspiring)
- Fun and Entertainment: Escape from reality for a while.
To what you define as categories, add the "Miscellaneous" category because theres always stuff happening that you don't exactly know where it goes like transport or the like...

3.3 - Budget your blocs in those categories as you see fit but keep at least 3 blocks for "Misc."
If you want a template, here is mine and it works great for me. Feel free to tweak it as you see fit:
They are listed in the same order as above:
3, 3, 4, 5, 3, 3

4 - Create yourself a Kanban that can accommodate those blocks. You can see mine in my video.

5 - The first task you should assign is "System Review" as maintenance and use it each day, it will make sure you look at your stuff and Plan & Review a little but also forces you not to take more then 30 minutes each day for that! Then start to populate as you work each day. You'll soon figure the stuff that comes back often and this is your Life Maintenance stuff (not to confound with Maintenance as a type of energy based task...). The rest are your Projects.

That's all I think you need for bootstrapping your system but if you have more specific questions, feel free to ask ;)

Another benefit of using an entire Pomedoro for Plan and Review is you don't get to short-change it. It's very easy to "remember" what you need to do and tackle the loudest. It's like journalling or brainstorming -- the best stuff happens after the top-of-head stuff is done. It may not be necessary to do an entire Pom every day, but two or three times a week works for me.

New Video Out: Rocks!

This video is the second in the series: "The Nature of Actions". It concentrates on the "Rocks" kind of tasks you encounter in Life and how to best address them.

Length: 19:27 min

Permanent Link: http://bit.ly/8XVmTV

Really had fun doing this one because of the outside part. I’m sorry for the wind sound in the mic so I have put text where my voice is difficult to hear. The two policeman in the back where real curious and came to see what I was doing. When they noticed they where in the shot, they said: “Cool!” and went away happy :)

Also, made a big revamp on the Dashboard page.
Take a look: http://bit.ly/bUYwoL