This version was prepared for Tech in Motion OC for a presentation given on June 7, 2012

1. Personal Productivity for
Developers
Presented by Elmer Thomas
Developer Evangelist at SendGrid
@thinkingserious

2. Summary

3. Summary
Frameworks (GTD, Agile, Pomodoro)

4. Summary
Frameworks (GTD, Agile, Pomodoro)
Techniques (Checklists, Outsourcing, Getting in the Zone)

5. Summary
Frameworks (GTD, Agile, Pomodoro)
Techniques (Checklists, Outsourcing, Getting in the Zone)
Tools (Apps, Services, etc.)

6. Summary
Frameworks (GTD, Agile, Pomodoro)
Techniques (Checklists, Outsourcing, Getting in the Zone)
Tools (Apps, Services, etc.)
References (Podcasts, Blogs, Books, etc.)

7. The Goal

8. Frameworks - RPM

9. Frameworks - RPM
Specific and Measurable Result

10. Frameworks - RPM
Specific and Measurable Result
Motivate yourself with Purpose

11. Frameworks - RPM
Specific and Measurable Result
Motivate yourself with Purpose
Create a Massive action plan with specific actions

12. Frameworks - GTD

13. Frameworks - GTD
Main Elements of GTD

14. Frameworks - GTD
Main Elements of GTD
Projects

15. Frameworks - GTD
Main Elements of GTD
Projects
Next Actions

16. Frameworks - GTD
Main Elements of GTD
Projects
Next Actions
Contexts

17. Frameworks - GTD
Workflow

18. Frameworks - GTD

19. Frameworks - GTD
Weekly Review

20. Frameworks - GTD
Weekly Review
Captured, but unprocessed items

21. Frameworks - GTD
Weekly Review
Captured, but unprocessed items
Review projects & next actions

22. Frameworks - GTD
Weekly Review
Captured, but unprocessed items
Review projects & next actions
Review calendar

23. Frameworks - GTD
Weekly Review
Captured, but unprocessed items
Review projects & next actions
Review calendar
Review checklists

24. Frameworks - GTD
Weekly Review
Captured, but unprocessed items
Review projects & next actions
Review calendar
Review checklists
Review someday/maybe lists

25. Frameworks - GTD

26. Frameworks - GTD
Natural Planning Technique

27. Frameworks - GTD
Natural Planning Technique
Purpose / Guiding Principles
Why are we doing this?

28. Frameworks - GTD
Natural Planning Technique
Purpose / Guiding Principles
Why are we doing this?
Mission / Vision / Goals / Successful Outcome
What does success look, sound or feel like?

29. Frameworks - GTD
Natural Planning Technique
Purpose / Guiding Principles
Why are we doing this?
Mission / Vision / Goals / Successful Outcome
What does success look, sound or feel like?
Brainstorming
How will we accomplish it?

30. Frameworks - GTD
Natural Planning Technique
Purpose / Guiding Principles
Why are we doing this?
Mission / Vision / Goals / Successful Outcome
What does success look, sound or feel like?
Brainstorming
How will we accomplish it?
Organizing
When will we do these things?

31. Frameworks - GTD
Natural Planning Technique
Purpose / Guiding Principles
Why are we doing this?
Mission / Vision / Goals / Successful Outcome
What does success look, sound or feel like?
Brainstorming
How will we accomplish it?
Organizing
When will we do these things?
Next Actions
Where do we start?

32. Frameworks - GTD

33. Frameworks - GTD
High Level Analysis

34. Frameworks - GTD
High Level Analysis
Areas of Responsibility

35. Frameworks - GTD
High Level Analysis
Areas of Responsibility
1 - 2 year goals

36. Frameworks - GTD
High Level Analysis
Areas of Responsibility
1 - 2 year goals
3 - 5 year vision

37. Frameworks - GTD
High Level Analysis
Areas of Responsibility
1 - 2 year goals
3 - 5 year vision
Life purpose

38. Frameworks - Agile

39. Frameworks - Agile
Get Focused

40. Frameworks - Agile
Get Focused
3 outcomes for the year

41. Frameworks - Agile
Get Focused
3 outcomes for the year
3 outcomes for the month

42. Frameworks - Agile
Get Focused
3 outcomes for the year
3 outcomes for the month
3 outcomes for the week

43. Frameworks - Agile
Get Focused
3 outcomes for the year
3 outcomes for the month
3 outcomes for the week
3 outcomes for the day

44. Frameworks - Agile

45. Frameworks - Agile
Work/Life Balance

46. Frameworks - Agile
Work/Life Balance
Define Hotspots
e.g. Career, Family, Health, Personal Growth

47. Frameworks - Agile
Work/Life Balance
Define Hotspots
e.g. Career, Family, Health, Personal Growth
Set minimums for each Hotspots
e.g. 3 hours of exercise time per week

48. Frameworks - Agile
Monday Vision, Daily Outcomes, Friday Reflection

49. Frameworks - 18 Minutes

50. Frameworks - 18 Minutes
Day Begins: (5 Minutes) Set Plan for the Day

51. Frameworks - 18 Minutes
Day Begins: (5 Minutes) Set Plan for the Day
Throughout: (1 Minute / Hour) Refocus

52. Frameworks - 18 Minutes
Day Begins: (5 Minutes) Set Plan for the Day
Throughout: (1 Minute / Hour) Refocus
Day Ends: (5 Minutes) Review

53. Frameworks - Pomodoro

54. Frameworks - Pomodoro
Five Steps
decide on the task to be done & estimate the # of Pomodoros

55. Frameworks - Pomodoro
Five Steps
decide on the task to be done & estimate the # of Pomodoros
set the pomodoro (timer) to 25 minutes

56. Frameworks - Pomodoro
Five Steps
decide on the task to be done & estimate the # of Pomodoros
set the pomodoro (timer) to 25 minutes
work on the task until the timer rings; record with an x

57. Frameworks - Pomodoro
Five Steps
decide on the task to be done & estimate the # of Pomodoros
set the pomodoro (timer) to 25 minutes
work on the task until the timer rings; record with an x
take a short break (5 minutes)

58. Frameworks - Pomodoro
Five Steps
decide on the task to be done & estimate the # of Pomodoros
set the pomodoro (timer) to 25 minutes
work on the task until the timer rings; record with an x
take a short break (5 minutes)
every four "pomodoros" take a longer break (15–20 minutes)

59. Techniques

60. Techniques
Create a digital “Truth” dashboard

61. Techniques
Create a digital “Truth” dashboard
It’s the Dashboard to rule all Dashboards

62. Techniques
Create a digital “Truth” dashboard
It’s the Dashboard to rule all Dashboards
Central point of all your “stuff”

63. Techniques
Create a digital “Truth” dashboard
It’s the Dashboard to rule all Dashboards
Central point of all your “stuff”
Either link to resources or describe where they are

64. Techniques
Create a digital “Truth” dashboard
It’s the Dashboard to rule all Dashboards
Central point of all your “stuff”
Either link to resources or describe where they are
This dashboard should be easy to use and available
most anywhere

65. Techniques
Create a digital “Truth” dashboard
It’s the Dashboard to rule all Dashboards
Central point of all your “stuff”
Either link to resources or describe where they are
This dashboard should be easy to use and available
most anywhere
Automate it if possible using RSS & APIs

66. Techniques
Not this zone!

67. Techniques
Avoiding Distractions / Getting Into the Zone
Not this zone!

68. Techniques
Avoiding Distractions / Getting Into the Zone
Hideouts
Not this zone!

69. Techniques
Avoiding Distractions / Getting Into the Zone
Hideouts
Schedule appointments with yourself
Not this zone!

70. Techniques
Avoiding Distractions / Getting Into the Zone
Hideouts
Schedule appointments with yourself
Noise canceling headphones + music
Not this zone!

71. Techniques
Avoiding Distractions / Getting Into the Zone
Hideouts
Schedule appointments with yourself
Noise canceling headphones + music
Signage
Not this zone!

72. Techniques

73. Techniques
Checklists

74. Techniques
Checklists
Daily routines (morning/night)

75. Techniques
Checklists
Daily routines (morning/night)
Weekly routines

76. Techniques
Checklists
Daily routines (morning/night)
Weekly routines
Monthly routines

77. Techniques
Checklists
Daily routines (morning/night)
Weekly routines
Monthly routines
Anything you will do more than once

78. Techniques
Checklists
Daily routines (morning/night)
Weekly routines
Monthly routines
Anything you will do more than once
Create checklists as you work

79. Techniques
Checklists
Daily routines (morning/night)
Weekly routines
Monthly routines
Anything you will do more than once
Create checklists as you work
Perfect, then automate

80. Techniques

81. Techniques
Templates

82. Techniques
Templates
New Projects

83. Techniques
Templates
New Projects
Think scaffolds

84. Techniques
Templates
New Projects
Think scaffolds
Active checklists (scriptable)

85. Techniques
Templates
New Projects
Think scaffolds
Active checklists (scriptable)
Perfect, then automate

86. Techniques

87. Techniques
Outsourcing
99Designs.com / LogoBids.com
eLance.com / Guru.com / oDesk.com
CraigsList.com
TemplateMonster.com / Genesis Themes
4 Hour Workweek
Jack Bicer - http://www.septium.com/10tips.pdf

88. Techniques

89. Techniques
Attend Hackathons / Hackdays

90. Techniques
Attend Hackathons / Hackdays
Find partners / Barter services

91. Techniques
Attend Hackathons / Hackdays
Find partners / Barter services
Upgrade your skills

92. Techniques
Attend Hackathons / Hackdays
Find partners / Barter services
Upgrade your skills
Practice and sharpen existing skills

93. Techniques
Attend Hackathons / Hackdays
Find partners / Barter services
Upgrade your skills
Practice and sharpen existing skills
Directories:
APIHackDay.com, APIEvangelist.com,
EventBrite.com

94. Tools
Alternatives to the apps I recommend:
http://alternativeto.net

95. Tools

96. Tools
Google Reader
Most RSS apps can sync with it

97. Tools
Google Reader
Most RSS apps can sync with it
Lightweight

98. Tools
Google Reader
Most RSS apps can sync with it
Lightweight
Use Folders to segregate

99. Tools

100. Tools
Email
Filters

101. Tools
Email
Filters
Incoming Parsing

102. Tools
Email
Filters
Incoming Parsing
Event triggers

103. Tools

104. Tools
MindNode Pro / XMind
mind mapping

105. Tools
MindNode Pro / XMind
mind mapping
brainstorming

106. Tools

107. Tools
Jing Project / Skitch
quick videos

108. Tools
Jing Project / Skitch
quick videos
image capture

109. Tools

110. Tools TextExpander / Active Words
avoid typing common items

111. Tools TextExpander / Active Words
avoid typing common items
faster than a clipboard or text file

112. Tools

113. Tools
Google Apps
docs for quick collaborative sharing

114. Tools
Google Apps
docs for quick collaborative sharing
sites for a centralized dashboard

115. Tools
Google Apps
docs for quick collaborative sharing
sites for a centralized dashboard
calendar for shared time mangement

116. Tools
Google Apps
docs for quick collaborative sharing
sites for a centralized dashboard
calendar for shared time mangement
google hangouts for quick video meetings

117. Tools
Google Apps
docs for quick collaborative sharing
sites for a centralized dashboard
calendar for shared time mangement
google hangouts for quick video meetings
google talk for IM

118. Tools
Google Apps
docs for quick collaborative sharing
sites for a centralized dashboard
calendar for shared time mangement
google hangouts for quick video meetings
google talk for IM
gmail for easy implementation of inbox zero

119. Tools

120. Tools
Twitter / Facebook / Google+
filtered news via lists

121. Tools
Twitter / Facebook / Google+
filtered news via lists
alternative to RSS

122. Tools

123. Tools
Delicious / Pinboard
global bookmarking

124. Tools
Delicious / Pinboard
global bookmarking
crowd validated reference

125. Tools

126. Tools
Instapaper / Readit Later
defer your reading

127. Tools
Instapaper / Readit Later
defer your reading
“offline” reading

128. Tools
Instapaper / Readit Later
defer your reading
“offline” reading
reference / social material

129. Tools

130. Tools Evernote / Onebox
everything box across all platforms

131. Tools Evernote / Onebox
everything box across all platforms
multimedia notes

132. Tools Evernote / Onebox
everything box across all platforms
multimedia notes
offline access

133. Tools

134. Tools
Dropbox / Box.net
easy synchronized storage

135. Tools
Dropbox / Box.net
easy synchronized storage
keep your larger files at bay

136. Tools
Dropbox / Box.net
easy synchronized storage
keep your larger files at bay
automated backup

137. Tools

138. Tools
1Password / RoboForm / Keepass / LastPass
save time and be secure

139. Tools
1Password / RoboForm / Keepass / LastPass
save time and be secure
don’t use the same password everywhere

140. Tools

141. Tools
Launchbar / AppRocket
fast application launcher and file finder

142. Tools
Launchbar / AppRocket
fast application launcher and file finder
stop dealing with clicking icons

143. Tools

144. Tools
Join.me / FreeConferenceCall.com / Google Hangouts
free and easy screen sharing and conference calls

145. Tools
Join.me / FreeConferenceCall.com / Google Hangouts
free and easy screen sharing and conference calls
save commute time

146. Tools

147. Tools
Kindle / iBooks / GoodReader / Audible / Downcast
read or listen on the go

148. Tools
Kindle / iBooks / GoodReader / Audible / Downcast
read or listen on the go
take advantage of down time

149. Tools

150. Omnifocus / Toodledo
Tools GTD implementation

151. Omnifocus / Toodledo
Tools GTD implementation
GTD everywhere

152. Omnifocus / Toodledo
Tools GTD implementation
GTD everywhere
See what you want, when you want

153. Tools

154. Tools
Pivotal Tracker / Assembla
Agile implementation

155. Tools
Pivotal Tracker / Assembla
Agile implementation
A structure for practicing agile

156. Tools
Pivotal Tracker / Assembla
Agile implementation
A structure for practicing agile
Great for collaboration

157. Tools

158. Tools
Hardware
Laptop / Desktop
SSD

159. Tools
Hardware
Laptop / Desktop
SSD
RAM

160. Tools
Hardware
Laptop / Desktop
SSD
RAM
Keyboard / Input Device

161. Tools
Hardware
Laptop / Desktop
SSD
RAM
Keyboard / Input Device
Tablet

162. Tools
Hardware
Laptop / Desktop
SSD
RAM
Keyboard / Input Device
Tablet
Smart Phone

163. References
Blogs / Websites
thinkingserious.com
asianefficiency.com
timemanagementninja.com
lifehack.org
news.ycombinator.com
dzone.com
stackoverflow.com
github.com

164. References
Books / Audiobooks
Getting Things Done, Ready for Anything, Making it All Work
18 Minutes: Find Your Focus
ReWork, Getting Real
Do the Work, The War of Art
Upgrade Your Life
Creating Flow with OmniFocus
Safari Bookshelf Online

165. References
Podcasts
Back to Work
The Big Web Show
Mac Power Users
Mixergy
GTD Study Group
*iTunes U
Your Niche

166. Key Takeaways

167. Key Takeaways
Be action oriented towards measurable specific goals

168. Key Takeaways
Be action oriented towards measurable specific goals
Find how to achieve zone time more often

169. Key Takeaways
Be action oriented towards measurable specific goals
Find how to achieve zone time more often
Move towards balance

170. Key Takeaways
Be action oriented towards measurable specific goals
Find how to achieve zone time more often
Move towards balance
Create your own system and iterate often

171. http://www.hollywoodhackday.com

172. Thanks!
elmer.thomas@sendgrid.com
@thinkingserious