In this newsletter:•Getting through your “to do” list
•Valerie's tip: Evernote – I love it!
•Paul's shortcuts: Instantly grow your font and zoom your screen
•Your perfect productivity and time management solution
•Life hack: the art of labelling
•Become an Excel guru in one day

Hi everyone,

Welcome to Productivity Plus, your weekly newsletter on how to get things done in less time.

When you have a giant to do list, it can seem overwhelming. Or maybe you haven’t even itemised your to do list yet. Perhaps you have so many projects on the go that you’re overwhelmed and you don’t know where to start.

If that’s the case, remember the old saying:

1. Just get started
In other words, just get started. And get started with a small chunk. Most people are paralysed because they don’t know where to start. If you’re in that situation, then simply start anywhere. Once you get going, it won’t seem so daunting.

2. Pick a small task
So instead of shuffling papers, reorganising the stationery cupboard or reading the interoffice memo, take a small five minute task - and complete it. Then “rinse and repeat” so to speak.

3. HOT TIP: Write down your tasks
The best way to ensure you get things done is to write down what you need to do. If you think you're going to keep everything you need to do in your head, you're in for some pretty crowded brainspace. This will only make you anxious.

Outlook 2007 is a great way to order your tasks. Many people only use it as an email application, but savvy Outlook users know that it’s now a time management and communication tool that can skyrocket your productivity - if you know how to get the most out of it.

You can schedule your own calendar, coordinate multiple calendars for other members of staff, manage meetings and even work in various time zones. You’ll learn how to use advanced search functions so that you are not constantly scrolling through calendars or task lists to find what you’re looking for.

Importantly, you'll learn the smart and safe way to archive old messages so that you don’t slow Outlook down - but can access the messages easily when you want them.

You’ll learn how to use rules to manage your emails efficiently, create hyperlinks within messages and customise stationery.

Most importantly, this course is not just about showing you the features of Outlook, it will equip you with effective time management skills that will supercharge the way you work.

We recommend:
What: Outlook 2007 – Your productivity, communication and time management solution
Presenter: Paul Neale
Course: Outlook 2007
Date: Wednesday 5 November 2008
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Fee: $325 (includes GST)
You will receive a comprehensive take-home manual which is a handy reference for the future.

Click here for more information or to enrol

Here's what people say about Paul's courses:
"Excellent presenter who had a good knowledge of the subject. Very patient and willing to answer all questions asked."
- Andrew Taylor

"Paul is the master of all things technology. Not only is he extremely knowledgeable, but he has the wonderful quality you want in a teacher - patience. He shares his expertise of Microsoft Office applications in a way that gives you confidence to go back to your office and use them like a pro. You have to attend one of his courses - if not all!"
- Catriona Pollard

Sometimes, you just want to increase the point size of the font you are using in Word. Here’s a shortcut of how you do it. Just highlight the section you want and press:

When you want to zoom in on anything you are working on - whether it’s a document, spreadsheet or slideshow - all you have to do is:

Have you tried Evernote? It’s a very cool application that can help you organise your notes. I used to have notepads all over the place - at home, in the office, of all different shapes and sizes. (And no, I never converted to Moleskines - I just used regular notebooks).

As a result, I had bits of paper at home, scribbled bits at work and notes written on my computers. Now I take everything down on Evernote - their tagline is “Remember
everything” and that’s exactly what it helps you to do.

Evernote helps you capture information at any time, whether you are using your computer at home or at work, at an internet café or on your iphone. If I see a great billboard that I want to remember, I take a pic with my iphone and record and tag it in Evernote. Everthing you note down is synchonised, so regardless of whether you are searching for your information at home, at work or while travelling, it’s all there.

It’s free - so give it a go!
www.evernote.com

Both Paul and Valerie are big fans of Excel. In one day you can upskill in Excel for work - or play. Whether you are creating spreadsheets to handle multiple currency portfolios, forecasting budgets, modelling scenarios, (or determining a winner at footy tipping!) this course will help you solve problems in a fraction of the time you're used to.

When it comes to using software, Paul's mantra is: "If it's slow and tedious, then there MUST is a better way ... Not only will we show you the better way, we'll teach you the fastest way to find it!"

 
Instead of wasting your time using Excel inefficiently, you can become an Excel expert. Paul's students invariably leave the course amazed by the shortcuts they have learnt and are excited about how much time they will save.

We recommend:
Course: Microsoft Excel 2007 Advanced
Date: Wednesday 29 October 2008
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Fee: $325 (includes GST)
You will receive a comprehensive take-home manual which is a handy reference for the future.

Click here for more information or to enrol.

Since you are a subscriber to Productivity Plus, you receive special offers that others don’t.

An EXCLUSIVE offer only to subscribers of this newsletter
Only available from now until November 2008
If you enrol in a course before 30 November 2008, you will receive 10 per cent off your enrolment fee if you:

Valerie’s friend Kylie got her hooked on labelling. Yes, we know it sounds really dorky but it’s a very effective, time-saving tool. You can get a Dymo labeller like the one pictured from Officeworks. We label the drawers that our software is stored in, batteries, stationery, glue, you name it.

It may sound like we go overboard, but we can assure you that we can easily find things (and put things away) when we need them – because of our trusty labeller!