This is a guest post by Ashlee McCullen of Apron Addicts, find out more about Ashlee at the end of this article
I suppose I’m what some would call a “digital native.” I turn to computers for just about everything. At least I did until not too long ago.
Recently, I’ve found inspiration and productivity by occasionally turning off all the screens in my life. Try going low tech now and then if you’re the type whose eyes never veer from the glow of LCD. Here are some low-tech tools and tips that help me think differently in a high-tech world.
Index Cards
Index cards turn out to be a surprisingly flexible and handy way to record and manage tasks. They fit in your pocket like a smartphone, but they’re tangible like a pen-and-paper list. And by writing out each task on a different card, you can organize and rearrange tasks just as easily as you can with sophisticated task management software. Check out the hipster PDA for ideas.
Whiteboards and Glassboards
In addition to index cards, I find great inspiration from whiteboards. And while we’d all love fancy Krystal glassboards, any bootstrapping business owner can create her own glassboard or find cheap alternatives. I love that a well-placed whiteboard is “always there.” Project maps, task lists, and reminders can be a little too easy to ignore if they’re tucked away in software or buried under desktop windows.
Ergonomic Furniture
I don’t know about you, but I spend gobs of money on computer hardware, business software, smartphones, and apps. Yet, that stuff needs to be replaced in a year or two. By comparison, decent ergonomic furniture can last decades. By finding what works for you, you can save yourself strain and be more relaxed at work.
Nature Walks
I sometimes joke to myself that boredom is “dead.” I mean, you can be standing in a long line at the DMV and just pick up your smartphone to entertain yourself. But sometimes, it can be a great thing to put those screens down and to just be with your thoughts, such as with a nature walk. Or meditation. Or even just by getting up and walking around your office. You’ll feel refreshed and reenergized.
Books
As an entrepreneur, you’re in the “idea business.” So keep your mind sharp and open to new possibilities by reading books. And not just books for entrepreneurs, either. Try reading the classics, or bestsellers. Read fiction and non-fiction. Famed Texas lawyer Racehorse Haynes, for instance, swears by his daily regimen of reading classics for an hour.
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Ashlee McCullen is a staff writer for Apron Addicts, a website about kitchen fashion and home style. She also writes about mobile technology and self-improvement.
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The whiteboard idea is great for kids, thanks for the tip on the Ikea hacks website….I love it!