The Simplicity Habit

KISS: Keep It Simple, Stupid or Keyboards In Simplicity Success

Posted by Jered | Filed under Recommended

Michael and I started the Simplicity Habit to break through the “top 10 list” syndrome that permeates the lifehacking ethos. While this post will have numbers and will be a list, it is only because these are programs which have been very helpful in my quest for productivity. Please consider this not a “top 10 list” but a series of personal recommendations.

Mail Act-On
I am a keyboard shortcut guy. The less mouse work I can do, the better. As a Mail.app user, I want a way to manipulate my messages without having to drag-and-drop them to my Archive folder (yes, just one folder).

Mail Act-On, from indev software, allows me to hit the ` (reverse tick, just below the Escape key), followed by a letter or other key and my mail is moved, colored or added to my GTD application.

Setup is simple, just create Mail.app Rules with special prefix and best of all, Mail Act-On is free.

There is a difficult Windows work around using Outlook and some scripting, if you want to try it out, go here: http://justgeeks.blogspot.com/2007/04/outlook-keyboard-shortcuts-or-button-to.html.
Quicksilver
Being a keyboard shortcut guy, Quicksilver is invaluable. I can get to or do most of the things I need to do on my computer by simply invoking Quicksilver by a two key combination, start typing and abracadabra, I’m getting that though completed.

Quicksilver can / is a huge program, it feels like I am continually just scratching the surface. The best way to learn about it is to read some of Merlin Mann’s posts or go to the developers website: http://www.blacktree.com/

Quicksilver is free and now open-source.

Launchy is a Windows alternative: http://launchy.net/
OmniFocus
Michael and I went back and forth a little bit about the use of a dedicated Getting Things Done application. OmniFocus, from the OmniGroup is my application of choice. I have tried a lot of them. GTD Apps are like breakfast cereals, every person likes a different one. I could write about why I like OmniFocus, but it all depends on how you want your system to work. The ability to invoke a “Quick Add” window with a keyboard shortcut, makes it very convenient.

OmniFocus is $79.99 from the OmniGroup: http://omnigroup.com.

The closest windows alternative to OmniFocus would be David Allen’s Getting Things Done Outlook Integration from davidco.com.
1Password
I have hundreds thousands of passwords to remember, email, logins, etc. A password manager is really useful and for the Mac 1Password is the best. 1Password allow me to automatically fill and sign into sites with a single keyboard shortcut (sensing a theme?).

The added ability to fill forms, sync to multiple computers and putting those same passwords on my iPhone in a simple list and login script makes 1Password in valuable.

1Password costs $34.95 from http://1password.com/.

Roboform is the suggested Windows alternative: http://roboform.com