One of the benefits of working at home is that you have a lot of control over your workspace. You can establish the space you need, and then design it consciously to suit your work style.
For example, I need a soothing, flexible workspace. My desk sits in a corner next to bookshelf that has a place for burning incense or oil. The books I need most often while sitting at my computer are at my fingertips, and I can change the scent to evoke the mood I need to get through a project. I also have my music loaded onto my computer and sorted into categories so I can choose the right playlist to help me get through my work.
For any non-computer work, I have a plush sitting area with access to a lot of natural light. Here I can work on my writing (I tend to handwrite first, and type second becasue I find it soothing.) and my jewelry designs. I keep telling myself I’m going to appropriate a baker’s rack and turn it into a jewelry design station, but I find I really enjoy stretching out, spreading my components around me and keeping the tray I work in on my lap.
I’ve created my space with relaxation and motivation in mind becasue those are what keep me moving. Consider what keeps you moving and design your work space around that.
Posted by Rebecca as Uncategorized at 11:04 AM EDT
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I like connecting people to information.
I suppose this is why I went into teaching. I love watching someone’s face light up when they make a connection. I love watching my students look a tme funny when I share some random tidbit of information. They assure me they love it when I volunteer what I know, but they do think I’m freakishly smart.
I think this love of connecting people and information is also what has driven me to nearly live online. Through my websites, I can share what I know, along with links to information I enjoy or find useful.
When I was younger, I thought for a bit about information brokering, but I’m thinking I’d really be happier as an information architect.
Posted by Rebecca as Uncategorized at 7:51 AM EDT
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A few years ago, when I had my first computer, I used the clip feature included with Microsoft Binder to get work done. It got me through grad school, but wasn’t really conducive to getting much else done.
Over the past several months, I’ve experimented with both Backpack and Pageflakes, trying to create a workspace. While each had their strengths, neither ended up having any staying power with me!
Recently, Google released their Notebook. I added it to my cadre of Google products I already use, installed the extension for Firefox, and over the weekend created my first Notebook!
So far so good. It clips more easily than anything I’ve used, including EverNote (which, for some unknown reason, is no longer in my menus on Firefox). It’s simple to organize into groups. Moving items around, even between groups is fairly painless. I’m pleased!
If I can get through this project without losing my cool with Google Notebook, then it might just have to join the list as one of my favorite tools!
Posted by Rebecca as Uncategorized at 8:07 AM EDT
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I’ve decided brainstorming is a lost art. I can remember being a child in elementary school, being given a specific topic, and given a time limit to write down as many things as we could think of relating to a topic. This was often before starting a project to help us come up with ideas for what we wanted to do.
Over the course of my life, I’ve brainstormed for everything from curriculum development to entries for artistic competitions (the most common use of brainstorming for me). I’m trying to teach my writing students to brainstorm as they begin each paper to help them get started and get focused. SOme take to it. Some look at me like I’ve grown another head.
Brainstorming of any sort is a wonderful exercise, espeically if you just let yourself relax into it. It’s creative. It’s problem solving. It’s applicable to so many areas of our lives.
Inspired by this post at LifehackerÂ
Posted by Rebecca as Personal development at 7:39 AM EDT
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