Ilios Digital Organizing Blog

14 March 2019

To Boldly Go

Technology Coaching

Woman achieving goal, success

I had an ulterior motive for starting my business.

Ilios Digital Organizing was first conceived because organizing is my passion. I organized toy rooms when I babysat, the books when I worked at the bookstore, and even the gift cards when I wait in line at Target.

I’ve been blessed to be able to start a business doing what I love. There’s just something satisfying about helping someone put their digital world in order so they can live an easier, more productive life.

But I have a hidden agenda.

A secret reason why I do what I do.

I love to see people’s confidence around tech increase.

Tech can be scary. You know how it feels. Something isn’t working with your tech and maybe there is a solution but you can’t find it online. Or you do find a solution but aren’t really sure you should be pushing those buttons.

What if you mess something up? What if you break something you can’t fix?

What if you crash your computer?

Yeah, that feeling.

My clients feel that anxiety too, and it’s part of my job to help ease it. It’s why I’m not afraid to search Google in front of them. Or try something different to solve a new problem. Or admit that no, I’ve never seen that before but, hey, let’s try to figure out an answer.

I make my clients ‘drive’ the mouse when we’re working on their computers. Not because I’m lazy, but because I want them to experience how to troubleshoot while still having a safety net. It builds their belief that yes, they can do this.

Nobody voluntarily says ‘Hey, April, I feel more confident around tech now, thanks.’ but when I mentioned my hidden agenda to a former client she paused, thought for a moment, then nodded and said, ‘you know, I do feel more confident when I’m working with my computer than I used to.’

And that feeling is one of the reasons I do what I do.

But how about you?

How confident do you feel when it comes to managing your tech?

Would you like to be more self-assured when you’re working on your computer? More courageous when it comes time to troubleshoot? Give me a call and let’s talk about how to make that feeling happen.

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Ilios Digital Organizing Blog

27 June 2019

What to do with a bulging computer

Digital Organizing

I was working with a client the other day on photo organizing. Like so many of us, she had photos on her computer, in various storage places online, and on USB drives. With two teenagers in the house, there were a lot of photos. First day of school photos, birthday photos, photos that show the folly of being the first in a group of teen boys to fall asleep, and more. 

My client was like most of us these days, she’d taken multiple shots of the same thing trying to capture the best image. Easy to do with a digital camera or your phone. But all those images take up space, and who has the time to manually go through and weed photos? Not us.

As we were gathering all these photos in one place to sort them, her computer decided that, nope, it didn’t really have enough room for all those photos. And unlike with a bulging suitcase, when a computer says it’s full you really can’t squeeze one more thing in. Not another photo, document, or file.

So what are you supposed to do then? 

Ilios Digital can help you get your computer back. If photos have taken over your device and left you with no space for anything else, let’s talk about how to take back control.

Schedule your Discovery Call today!

20 June 2019

App Review – Pocket

Productivity

Purpose: A content collection software that allows you to store items/articles/videos you want to read or view until later when you have time. 

Benefits: Pocket is a great alternative to having 50 web browser tabs open because you haven’t had time to get back to reading the article on that page.  It also offers articles that might be of interest to you, just in case your reading list isn’t long enough. In addition, Pocket can be utilized when you are offline, making it great for car trips, plane rides, etc. 

Cost: Free, $5/mo for Premium

Opinion: Pocket is a great content collection software. I highly recommend it for people living with those 50 open tabs and a fear of their browser accidentally closing. However, like with any content collection software, there is always the risk of over collecting and disorganization making it hard to find what you originally wanted to read. Being organized can make the difference between Pocket being a black hole or being a bookmark tool. 

Are you looking for help when it comes to managing your reading list? Ilios Digital is here! We can provide software suggestions and hands on assistance.

Schedule your Discovery Call today!
13 June 2019

Why Inbox Zero Worries is better than Inbox Zero

Productivity

You’ve heard of Inbox Zero, right?

It’s the philosophy of getting your email inbox all cleaned out, zero emails. It’s a great goal, one that a lot of people strive for. Strive and then are disappointed when they can’t reach it. Because to be honest, I think Inbox Zero isn’t realistic for the majority of us.

Picture this. You work and work and work and finally achieve the holy grail of Inbox Zero. You step away from the computer to get a celebratory drink of something tasty and when you return…you have four new emails.

So much for Inbox Zero.

What if instead of trying to get down to zero emails in your inbox, you got to a place where you spent zero time worrying about email? 

Imagine this – you go to your inbox and find a handful of new emails. 
Two minutes later you’ve got them sorted, filed, and ready to be followed up with. You check your Waiting folder to see who is still outstanding, then continue on with your workday. No more worrying about emails getting lost below the fold. No more stressing, wondering if you actually followed up with someone.

Zero worries. Carefree as a child.

It can happen!

If you’re ready to stop worrying about your email and start enjoying the time you’ve reclaimed, Ilios Digital can get you there. Schedule your Discovery Call today and let’s take you to Inbox Zero Worries!

Schedule Your Discovery Call!
6 June 2019

Delayed Decisions Lead to Clutter

Productivity

My husband takes off his socks at night when we’re sitting in the living room playing on our computers and pretending to watch TV.  No big deal, right? Except for the next three days, both of us will walk past those lonely white socks four or five times a day and still, the socks stay where they fell.

Email is like this too. We get a new action email, read it – and decide it would only take a few minutes to complete – then leave it in our inbox while we wander off to do something else. We come back to our email how many times a day, re-read that action message, but still leave it undone until ‘later’. Well, later comes with twenty other action emails waiting for your attention. 

What would have happened if you had taken 2 minutes to respond to the email instead of putting it off till later? Probably the same thing that would have happened if my husband had taken 2 minutes to pick up his socks and put them away.

Less clutter.

Our delayed decisions lead to clutter – both in your inbox and in your living room. David Allen of Getting Things Done says if you have a task that will only take a couple of minutes, you should complete the task then, don’t put it off till ‘later’. Doing those two-minute tasks right away is another way to keep your inbox under control. Sure, some action emails require more effort but don’t ignore those two-minute tasks. 

Too many emails to tackle on your own? Let me know! Ilios Digital Organizing offers an Inbox Detox program that can get you back on track.

Schedule your Discovery Call today!
30 May 2019

The ART of Email Management – Next Steps

Digital Organizing, Productivity

If you’ve been hanging out with me for any amount of time you’ve probably heard me talk about the A.R.T of email management. It’s my key to putting out inbox fires. Kind of like stop, drop, and roll is for regular fires!

The A.R.T. theory can be explained as such: all email is either an Action item, a Reference item, or a Trash item. When you open up your inbox and its full of messages, take a quick moment to decide – what type of message is this? The answer will tell you what to do with it. 

Trash emails are just what you’d expect – spam, coupons and ads, and those networking newsletters. You know the ones. You can’t unsubscribe because you might hurt someone’s feelings, but you have no interest in the contents. Hit the delete button the first time you encounter these trash emails. Don’t waste time going back and re-reading them a second time. 

The best way to stay on top of your inbox? Be diligent about making a choice the first time you read an email. Decide right away, action email or not? If not an action email, then reference email or trash? Move the email to the correct folder and go to the next email on the list. Clutter is delayed decisions, and the more times you delay acting, the more your email is going to pile up. 

Need one on one help with your email? Ilios Digital Organizing can help!

Schedule your Discovery Call today!
23 May 2019

The ART of Email Management – Reference

Digital Organizing, Productivity

If you’ve been hanging out with me for any amount of time you’ve probably heard me talk about the A.R.T of email management. It’s my key to putting out inbox fires. Kind of like stop, drop, and roll is for regular fires!

The A.R.T. theory can be explained as such: all email is either an Action item, a Reference item, or a Trash item.  When you open up your inbox and its full of messages, take a quick moment to decide – what type of message is this? The answer will tell you what to do with it. 

Reference emails are full of interesting information, but nothing that requires you to take action. These are your newsletters, pictures of your sister’s dog, and the bylaws of your professional organization. Read these the first time you open them, then move the keepers over to a reference folder. 

These are great emails to set on a filter. Have them skip the inbox and go directly to their reference folder. Then, you can read them when you have time. By skipping the inbox, you avoid distractions from those important action items.

Next time? Trash emails and next steps!

Need one on one help with your email? Ilios Digital Organizing can help!

Schedule your Discovery Call today!

Ilios Digital Organizing Blog

27 June 2019

What to do with a bulging computer

Digital Organizing

I was working with a client the other day on photo organizing. Like so many of us, she had photos on her computer, in various storage places online, and on USB drives. With two teenagers in the house, there were a lot of photos. First day of school photos, birthday photos, photos that show the folly of being the first in a group of teen boys to fall asleep, and more. 

My client was like most of us these days, she’d taken multiple shots of the same thing trying to capture the best image. Easy to do with a digital camera or your phone. But all those images take up space, and who has the time to manually go through and weed photos? Not us.

As we were gathering all these photos in one place to sort them, her computer decided that, nope, it didn’t really have enough room for all those photos. And unlike with a bulging suitcase, when a computer says it’s full you really can’t squeeze one more thing in. Not another photo, document, or file.

So what are you supposed to do then? 

Ilios Digital can help you get your computer back. If photos have taken over your device and left you with no space for anything else, let’s talk about how to take back control.

Schedule your Discovery Call today!

20 June 2019

App Review – Pocket

Productivity

Purpose: A content collection software that allows you to store items/articles/videos you want to read or view until later when you have time. 

Benefits: Pocket is a great alternative to having 50 web browser tabs open because you haven’t had time to get back to reading the article on that page.  It also offers articles that might be of interest to you, just in case your reading list isn’t long enough. In addition, Pocket can be utilized when you are offline, making it great for car trips, plane rides, etc. 

Cost: Free, $5/mo for Premium

Opinion: Pocket is a great content collection software. I highly recommend it for people living with those 50 open tabs and a fear of their browser accidentally closing. However, like with any content collection software, there is always the risk of over collecting and disorganization making it hard to find what you originally wanted to read. Being organized can make the difference between Pocket being a black hole or being a bookmark tool. 

Are you looking for help when it comes to managing your reading list? Ilios Digital is here! We can provide software suggestions and hands on assistance.

Schedule your Discovery Call today!

13 June 2019

Why Inbox Zero Worries is better than Inbox Zero

Productivity

You’ve heard of Inbox Zero, right?

It’s the philosophy of getting your email inbox all cleaned out, zero emails. It’s a great goal, one that a lot of people strive for. Strive and then are disappointed when they can’t reach it. Because to be honest, I think Inbox Zero isn’t realistic for the majority of us.

Picture this. You work and work and work and finally achieve the holy grail of Inbox Zero. You step away from the computer to get a celebratory drink of something tasty and when you return…you have four new emails.

So much for Inbox Zero.

What if instead of trying to get down to zero emails in your inbox, you got to a place where you spent zero time worrying about email? 

Imagine this – you go to your inbox and find a handful of new emails. 
Two minutes later you’ve got them sorted, filed, and ready to be followed up with. You check your Waiting folder to see who is still outstanding, then continue on with your workday. No more worrying about emails getting lost below the fold. No more stressing, wondering if you actually followed up with someone.

Zero worries. Carefree as a child.

It can happen!

If you’re ready to stop worrying about your email and start enjoying the time you’ve reclaimed, Ilios Digital can get you there. Schedule your Discovery Call today and let’s take you to Inbox Zero Worries!

Schedule Your Discovery Call!

6 June 2019

Delayed Decisions Lead to Clutter

Productivity

My husband takes off his socks at night when we’re sitting in the living room playing on our computers and pretending to watch TV.  No big deal, right? Except for the next three days, both of us will walk past those lonely white socks four or five times a day and still, the socks stay where they fell.

Email is like this too. We get a new action email, read it – and decide it would only take a few minutes to complete – then leave it in our inbox while we wander off to do something else. We come back to our email how many times a day, re-read that action message, but still leave it undone until ‘later’. Well, later comes with twenty other action emails waiting for your attention. 

What would have happened if you had taken 2 minutes to respond to the email instead of putting it off till later? Probably the same thing that would have happened if my husband had taken 2 minutes to pick up his socks and put them away.

Less clutter.

Our delayed decisions lead to clutter – both in your inbox and in your living room. David Allen of Getting Things Done says if you have a task that will only take a couple of minutes, you should complete the task then, don’t put it off till ‘later’. Doing those two-minute tasks right away is another way to keep your inbox under control. Sure, some action emails require more effort but don’t ignore those two-minute tasks. 

Too many emails to tackle on your own? Let me know! Ilios Digital Organizing offers an Inbox Detox program that can get you back on track.

Schedule your Discovery Call today!

30 May 2019

The ART of Email Management – Next Steps

Digital Organizing, Productivity

If you’ve been hanging out with me for any amount of time you’ve probably heard me talk about the A.R.T of email management. It’s my key to putting out inbox fires. Kind of like stop, drop, and roll is for regular fires!

The A.R.T. theory can be explained as such: all email is either an Action item, a Reference item, or a Trash item. When you open up your inbox and its full of messages, take a quick moment to decide – what type of message is this? The answer will tell you what to do with it. 

Trash emails are just what you’d expect – spam, coupons and ads, and those networking newsletters. You know the ones. You can’t unsubscribe because you might hurt someone’s feelings, but you have no interest in the contents. Hit the delete button the first time you encounter these trash emails. Don’t waste time going back and re-reading them a second time. 

The best way to stay on top of your inbox? Be diligent about making a choice the first time you read an email. Decide right away, action email or not? If not an action email, then reference email or trash? Move the email to the correct folder and go to the next email on the list. Clutter is delayed decisions, and the more times you delay acting, the more your email is going to pile up. 

Need one on one help with your email? Ilios Digital Organizing can help!

Schedule your Discovery Call today!

23 May 2019

The ART of Email Management – Reference

Digital Organizing, Productivity

If you’ve been hanging out with me for any amount of time you’ve probably heard me talk about the A.R.T of email management. It’s my key to putting out inbox fires. Kind of like stop, drop, and roll is for regular fires!

The A.R.T. theory can be explained as such: all email is either an Action item, a Reference item, or a Trash item.  When you open up your inbox and its full of messages, take a quick moment to decide – what type of message is this? The answer will tell you what to do with it. 

Reference emails are full of interesting information, but nothing that requires you to take action. These are your newsletters, pictures of your sister’s dog, and the bylaws of your professional organization. Read these the first time you open them, then move the keepers over to a reference folder. 

These are great emails to set on a filter. Have them skip the inbox and go directly to their reference folder. Then, you can read them when you have time. By skipping the inbox, you avoid distractions from those important action items.

Next time? Trash emails and next steps!

Need one on one help with your email? Ilios Digital Organizing can help!

Schedule your Discovery Call today!