Let technology do the heavy lifting!

I’m on vacation now. Really. In fact, the last several posts by me were all set up before I left on vacation, and published automatically on the dates I chose. And if you’re reading this in your email, you can thank AWeber for letting me queue it up before I left.

So I get to enjoy my vacation, while various web servers are doing my work for me. And I love it!

I’m betting that there’s something in your life that technology can ease for you, too. Something you find yourself doing over and over again, some computer function about which you catch yourself thinking “There’s got to be an easier way.”

Listen: If you think there should be an easier way, there’s a great chance that a tech geek somewhere had the same thought, and then went out and built a solution. Just search Google for how-to tips — and then search YouTube for easy-to-follow video instructions on just about anything. You’ll be amazed.

Why the photo of the factory floor? Two reasons. One, it’s a picture of the interior of the Tillamook creamery, which makes delicious cheese and ice cream (and which we just might be visiting on our vacation). Two, it’s a reminder that behind the scenes, there’s a whole factory set up, filled with workers and machines, just so I can enjoy my fabulous Tillamook Extra-Sharp Aged Cheddar anytime I want. Just like my computer (and the Internet) are filled with software, algorithms, and code that click away invisibly and make amazing things possible, including the fact that you’re reading these words on this screen right now. Incredible when you think about it for a minute.

This week’s heart of the matter: Let technology do the heavy lifting! Pick something that your computer can help you with, invest a few minutes to set it up, and enjoy! Here are some examples to get you started (these are all free, and I’ve used all of them):

Set up an email filter to automatically file messages (say, from a specific person who sends you a lot of email) in a folder just for them.
Use your calendar or clock to create a weekly reminder that pops up on your screen and tells you to back up your stuff.
Put some appointments into Google Calendar and set up automatic email reminders.
Need a to-do list that travels with you? Check out Remember the Milk, an online to-do list (also integrates with Google Calendar).
Do you ever send voicemail to yourself to remind yourself of something? Check out Jott, a free service that lets you set up email reminders by phone
You get the idea. If you have a problem, chances are there is a nifty service or application that was created just to solve that problem. Have fun with your solution(s)!

Until next week!

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