Peace of Mind, or zen and hippies

I do a lot of my work on an iPad, instead of a "proper" computer. Many of the advantages of an iPad can be recreated on those other computers - you can run apps full-screen, you can tether to your phone to get a connection, you can touch the screen to move things around. And you can do lots of other things as well.

And that's the problem.

The iPad is simple. It's limited. By taking those options away, it means you don't have to think about them. It's very much a first world problem, but all those tiny things weigh on your mind, even slightly. And when your work depends upon the clarity of your thought processes (and no offence to those of you who work with your hands, but that's who this is aimed at), that extra focus can make the difference between good and great.

It's the same when you put in standardised systems. When I receive an enquiry from someone, do I think about the best response to their question, draft an email and send it out? Or do I pull out our standard template, fill in the blanks and send that out. Which takes the most time? Which takes the most thought? Which lets you get back to whatever you were doing more quickly?

Take action: What can you take away from how you do things? What can you say no to? How can you simplify your working life?