Tips and Tricks

January 17, 2008 5:09 AM

What's are your most effective life tricks and tips? I seem to spend a great deal of time getting ready in the morning, preparing meals, doing laundry, putting things together, cleaning the house, etc. I also spend a lot of time working in a browser, being a boss, negotiating with my boss, giving presentations, using excel, etc. I am looking for things, be they procedural, philosophical, or psychological that will enhance my effectiveness. This is a stupid example, but my co-worker enlightened me to the fact that I can double click a word in Microsoft Word to highlight it. Eurkeka!. Another example....my friend claims that if your ever in a long line at the bank, if you start pacing and talking to yourself someone will promptly come to your service!?!?! What things do you do to free up more time, exert influence, or look cool in front of friends and family?? Help me get more out of my days, weeks, and months.
posted by jasondigitized to grab bag (8 comments total)

I avoid asking questions on Ask MeFi during working hours..

Try sites like Lifehacker and Zen Habits - they're just two amongst many dedicated to helping people get the most out of life.

Although surfing such sites probably defeats their purpose.
posted by Nugget at 5:24 AM on January 17

my co-worker enlightened me to the fact that I can double click a word in Microsoft Word to highlight it.

Well, you could repeat this experience by investing in a few good guide books for the software you use most. Becoming a "power user" or expert in any application with greatly enhance your productivity...

my friend claims that if your ever in a long line at the bank, if you start pacing and talking to yourself someone will promptly come to your service!?

I carry a book or some other reading material with me everywhere so that when I'm in line some place (or waiting on the bus or train) I can read something that appeals to me rather than acting like an asshole or maniac for attention...

What things do you do to free up more time, exert influence, or look cool in front of friends and family?

I try not to view interactions with other people as a means to an end, but as ends in and of themselves. Thus I don't try to find or make opportunities where I can "exert influence" or "look cool" because frankly that just seems manipulative on several levels.

Not trying to be preachy, but you did ask about philosophy, so that's mine...
posted by wfrgms at 5:36 AM on January 17

The bank thing your friend told you sounds like a bad idea - acting like a mentally unstable person to get your way works sometimes, but will probably hurt you in the long run. Have you looked into online banking? I can do everything except for the most obscure transaction that way, and I can do it on my own time.
posted by fermezporte at 5:37 AM on January 17

This thread might be of interest.
posted by DarkForest at 5:44 AM on January 17

Click three times in MS Word to highlight the entire paragraph.

As far as getting ready in the morning, try to prepare things to be as ritualistic as possible. I can't think too clearly when I get up so always follow a set pattern. Always know the clothes you will wear by the previous night and have them ready. Have everything you need to go to work (or school) ready and waiting so you don't waste time searching for things when you still haven't had your coffee.
posted by JJ86 at 5:44 AM on January 17

Pressing the windows key + e opens windows explorer.

Also the double/triple click stuff works in pretty much any problem (on a windows platform) not just word.

Make food that lasts longer - eg. a large lasagne/shepherds pie/chilli/casserole will last a single person 4 nights - so you only need to cook 2 nights a week and then just reheat when you get home.
Or make meals you can freeze, have a big cooking sunday where you prepare all your week's meals then bung them in the freezer.
posted by missmagenta at 5:52 AM on January 17

"look cool in front of friends and family"

How to Win Friends and Influence People—Dale Carnegie.

Make eye contact. Be charming. There's a strange duality to embrace of knowing you are a great person (perhaps better than some), but also knowing that everyone has something to teach you. Following on from this, be your own person, and don't care overly what others think. While it's easier to be eccentric physically, it's more valuable to be eccentric mentally. However, follow social decorum; Don't talk about money, sex, religion or politics unless you're with close friends. Protect your reputation and your name. It's the easiest thing to create (either good or bad), but it's the hardest thing to change (you can only make one first impression).

For all the rest? Network. Make friends with your IT people (which, if you're on good terms with your boss can be a good way to score a new laptop or even jump a few of the hoops to get a blackberry). They can teach you so many tricks about using your computer, such as simply playing around with it. Look in menus, press button combinations; try and break it (it's harder than it looks!) Get to know 'the little people' in your life; if you smile and throw a few tips at your barista (often times the head is the weakest spot) your coffee will be ready and waiting while there are four people ahead of you in the line. Your PA might say she doesn't like chocolates, but an expensive box will put an extra ounce of enthusiasm into working for you. However don't do these things as blatant bribes for special treatment. Do them because you're a top notch Carnegie-Old Money classy sort of guy.

Specfically? Pack the night before—speeds up your morning routine. For your interwebtube browsing, set up keyword searches in your browser (instead of having to go google, set up a keyword search to you can simply type 'g oxford blue's underwear range' You do one for wikipedia, rottentomato, ebay, or any site you search often). For the top few programs you use, learn a shortcut or a quicker way of doing something a day.

Also, learn how to speak well. Improve your vocabulary. Read the metafilter archives, which answer your question 29 times.
posted by oxford blue at 5:55 AM on January 17

Laundry: wash, dry, fold service. Totally worth the extra money, especially if you would otherwise be doing it at the laundromat.
posted by banjo_and_the_pork at 5:56 AM on January 17