ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL!

My editor Bryan Chaffin says one of the best (and most unique) things about Working Smarter for Mac Users is that I don’t try to convince you there’s only one way to do things, or that my way is the best or only way. Rather, one of the hallmarks of my eBook is that I offer you tips, hints, and techniques that have worked for me, as well as tips, hints, and techniques that may not have worked for me but may very well work for you. 

Bryan Sez (in WSMBook).jpg

One of the things I hated about the myriad productivity and time management books I’ve read (not to mention the workshops, seminars, and courses I’ve attended) is that they’re so rigid about the right way to do things.

“This is what you must do. Now, here’s how to do it the right way,”

In other words, they make you believe their way is the one and only right way. 

Working Smarter for Mac Users, on the other hand, is chock full of tips like the one below, a tip Bryan felt was so important he urged me to typeset it in both bold and italic: “That’s what works for me. If you prefer all-digital, all-analog, or any combination of the two, that’s excellent. The important part is that you make a plan, and then use it.”

In this case I was talking about my SuperPlan Daily Productivity Planning Worksheet, which you can download for free, so please do. I must say it’s one of the most powerful tools I know of for keeping me on track and avoiding procrastination.

Now, the reason I mentioned it here is that I posted a note in social media recommending an article by Brian Tracy about setting priorities using the ABCDE method: .

Original post.jpg

Brian Tracy’s method is similar to my SuperPlan worksheet but different. Where I define up to three “Most Important Tasks” each day and make them my priority, Tracy’s method asks you rate all of your tasks with an ABCD or E and then use those ratings to sort them accordingly.  

I tried it, and while I still prefer my method of storing and managing all of my tasks in Reminders and Calendar and then hand writing my daily plan, (on a SuperPlan worksheet, of course) every morning,

That being said, I definitely understand that the ABCDE Method might be valuable to others. So, I recommended this article everywhere I could think of.  

The best part is reflected in this series of comments on my Facebook post. 

This is exactly what (I think) my editor Bryan is talking about… And precisely the kind of thinking I want Working Smarter for Mac Users to foster. 

Please help continue the conversation by posting your favorite tips and tricks for getting more work done in less time in the comments section below. (And don’t forget to check out the free SuperPlan Daily Productivity Planning Worksheet here.)

ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL!

APRIL 17, 2017 
BY BOB LEVITUS

My editor Bryan Chaffin says one of the best (and most unique) things about Working Smarter for Mac Users is that I don’t try to convince you there’s only one way to do things, or that my way is the best or only way. Rather, one of the hallmarks of my eBook is that I offer you tips, hints, and techniques that have worked for me, as well as tips, hints, and techniques that may not have worked for me but may very well work for you. 

Bryan Sez (in WSMBook).jpg

One of the things I hated about the myriad productivity and time management books I’ve read (not to mention the workshops, seminars, and courses I’ve attended) is that they’re so rigid about the right way to do things.

“This is what you must do. Now, here’s how to do it the right way,”

In other words, they make you believe their way is the one and only right way. 

Working Smarter for Mac Users, on the other hand, is chock full of tips like the one below, a tip Bryan felt was so important he urged me to typeset it in both bold and italic: “That’s what works for me. If you prefer all-digital, all-analog, or any combination of the two, that’s excellent. The important part is that you make a plan, and then use it.”

In this case I was talking about my SuperPlan Daily Productivity Planning Worksheet, which you can download for free, so please do. I must say it’s one of the most powerful tools I know of for keeping me on track and avoiding procrastination.

Now, the reason I mentioned it here is that I posted a note in social media recommending an article by Brian Tracy about setting priorities using the ABCDE method: .

Original post.jpg

Brian Tracy’s method is similar to my SuperPlan worksheet but different. Where I define up to three “Most Important Tasks” each day and make them my priority, Tracy’s method asks you rate all of your tasks with an ABCD or E and then use those ratings to sort them accordingly.  

I tried it, and while I still prefer my method of storing and managing all of my tasks in Reminders and Calendar and then hand writing my daily plan, (on a SuperPlan worksheet, of course) every morning,

That being said, I definitely understand that the ABCDE Method might be valuable to others. So, I recommended this article everywhere I could think of.  

The best part is reflected in this series of comments on my Facebook post. 

This is exactly what (I think) my editor Bryan is talking about… And precisely the kind of thinking I want Working Smarter for Mac Users to foster. 

Please help continue the conversation by posting your favorite tips and tricks for getting more work done in less time in the comments section below. (And don’t forget to check out the free SuperPlan Daily Productivity Planning Worksheet here.)

Thanks!

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About the Author

Bob Levitus

Bob LeVitus, often referred to as “Dr. Mac,” is a well-known authority on all things Macintosh, OS X, and Apple devices including the iPad and iPhone. One of the Apple community’s most trusted advisors for almost thirty years, he’s known for his trademark humorous style and unerring ability to translate “techie” jargon into usable and fun advice for regular folks. He's written more than 80 books including macOS Sierra For Dummies, iPhone For Dummies, and iPad For Dummies. And, for the past 20 years, he's written the Dr. Mac column for the Houston Chronicle (which he still does). He's also been writing for The Mac Observer for almost as long (he still does that, too). Bob has been published in more than a dozen computer magazines over the past thirty years including: a three-year stint as Editor-in-Chief of the irreverent and unpredictable MACazine and four different columns in MacUser magazine: Beating the System, Personal Best, Game Room, and the Help Folder (with Andy Ihnatko, and later, Chris Breen). Though best known for writing, he’s also dabbled in broadcasting with a radio show (Inside Mac Radio, CNET Radio, 2001-2002) and hosted a popular television series (Mac Today, Syndicated, 1992–1993). Another of Bob’s loves is teaching, which he's been doing at University of Texas Informal Classes for over a decade, with well-loved courses including, iPhone for Smart People, Making Music with GarageBand, and soon, Working Smarter for Mac Users. Always in-demand as a speaker, Bob has presented more than 200 seminars, workshops, conferences, and training sessions in the U.S. and abroad, and given Macworld Expo keynotes in three countries, He's also done presentations at countless Apple Stores, and at least three world-famous Geek Cruises. Last but not least, Bob won the Macworld Expo MacJeopardy World Championship three times before retiring his crown. He did not, however, return the Rocket J. Squirrel Memorial Cup, which is still displayed prominently in his office. Prior to giving in to his obsessions with Apple technology and productivity, Bob worked in advertising, producing television commercials, radio spots, and print ads for Kresser & Robbins and SelecTV, in Los Angeles. Bob holds a B.S. in Marketing from California State University and lives in beautiful (and over-crowded) Austin, Texas with his beautiful wife, Lisa, and Zeke the Wonder Vizsla, with occasional visits from now-adult children Allison and Jacob.