There is a good case for the argument that the improvements in technology, especially information technology, has made our lives more difficult. We are now constantly connected to others via our mobile devices, and constant streams of information from the internet can be overwhelming. One of the consequences of the abundance of easily accessible information is the potential to distract us from focusing on high priority tasks. The previous post about the myth of multitasking discusses the inefficiency of switching between tasks.
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There is a common belief that you can do multiple things at once and be more productive. The problem is that your brain can not focus on more than one thing at once, unless they are tasks that require very little thinking. For instance you can chew gum while you work, however your brain can not simultaneously focus on multiple complex tasks at the same time. Instead your brain must switch its attention from one thing to another, and every time you do this your brain undergoes a process …

Cogi is an interesting productivity tool that records your phone conversations and can transcribe your calls into text. Cogi calls your cell or landline, you answer it, then Cogi connects you to a third party. The call gets recorded in a MP3 format so you can listen to the call later, or share it with coworkers. Instead of having to take notes during the call, you just highlight parts of the conversation you would like to have transcribed.
This is a paid service and costs $29.95 a month, which gives you …

I love audiobooks. They have saved me from being bored to tears during many commutes in congested rush hour traffic. If you commute to work 5 times a week, you could be spending as much time in your car as a college student spends in class. You can utilize that time to learn a lot by listening to relevant or interesting audiobooks. If you fly a lot, having several audiobooks in your pocket on your iPod, can make your trip more pleasant.
You can also take advantage of audiobooks to “read” …

It is now possible to use Skype from your iPhone or iPod Touch, thanks to a new application that was just released. This would allow iPhone users to be able to talk free to other Skype users, or get unlimited phone calls to landlines or mobiles for just $5.95 a month. The drawback is that it will only work if you have access to WiFi, 3G, GPRS or Edge.
I am surprised that AT&T and Apple would allow this because it could allow iPhone users, many who have been required to …

Many executives spend more than their share of time checking and answering emails. We often feel obligated to answer emails promptly when we receive them. AwayFind is a brilliant tool that can potentially save you hours of time per day on your email.
How it works is simple. When someone sends you a message they receive an auto-responder message informing them that you only check email a couple times a day, but if it is an urgent matter they can click on a link to fill out a webform. People with …

A smart way to get more things done is to delegate lower level tasks. That’s where a virtual assistant can be a tremendous asset. Written about in books such as The World is Flat and The 4 Hour Work Week, a remote virtual assistant from firms like Brickwork will take care of numerous time consuming tasks that can free up your time to do things that are more important to you. From a business approach, virtual assistants can do data entry, sales support, calendar management, and other administrative tasks. But …

A recent article in BusinessWeek, “Solar: The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow”, discussed factors that could lead to a boom in the solar power industry in the not too distant future. 
“As prices come down, the economics of solar power will look much better” said managing director for renewable energy at Navigant Consulting. Recently prices in the solar panel market have plunged and the outlook for the next two quarters look gloomy. However the article points out that several factors could lead to a strong comeback by solar.
-Congress just passed a …

Jay Leno and George H. W. Bush are two individuals who have recently installed residential wind turbines on their property. A residential wind turbine can lower your electricity bill by 50 to 90 percent, and pay off the initial investment in six to 15 years, according to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) . Bush installed a 33-foot tall Skystream 3.7 at his at his Kennebunkport, Maine home. Jay Leno installed a Delta II by PacWind on his garage and also a MagWind from Enviro-Energies.
The Skystream 3.7 is produced by …

Advancements in photovoltaic cells, which convert sunlight directly into electricity, have greatly decreased the once prohibitive cost of solar panels. Additionally, high costs of energy that are likely to ascend in the future suggest that an investment in solar panels for your home may provide you with healthy returns.
One company that is lowering the barrier of entry into owning solar panels is SolarCity Inc. in California. They offer a 15-year lease for solar panels that includes installation, free repairs and free removal at the end of the lease. They also …