Take the hassle out of tough tasks: Make shortcuts to your action steps

A good filing system includes not only the files you need but the action steps, all in one place. Earlier this week, I talked about<a href="http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/2013/01/create-checklists-in-evernote-to-save.html"> recording checklists and action steps</a> in <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.evernote.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Evernote">Evernote</a>.<br /><br />But what happens when you go to a folder and don't remember where you put those action steps? I create shortcuts to the evernote notecards for that action step.<br /><br />Wherever you put your checklist, you should link to it so it is bundled with the files that will be used. Here's how. But know this, checklists will save you time, mistakes, and I've found they curb my natural desire to procrastinate hard tasks because I know that it is all in one place.<br /><h2>Step 1: Copy the Note Link</h2><div><i>If you can get a shortcut to anything, websites, <a class="zem_slink" href="http://docs.google.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Google Docs">google docs</a>, <a class="zem_slink" href="http://office.microsoft.com/onenote/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Microsoft OneNote">one note</a>. This process will work in other apps, if you just replace the step 1 with however you copy from that resource. I'm an evernote fangirl, so we're using Evernote.</i></div><div><br /></div>a. Go into Evernote and open the card that you want to link to.<br />b. Click on Note<br />c. Click on Copy Note Link as shown in the graphic.<br /><i>The link is now on your clipboard. Immediately do the next step. If you copy anything else. it will write over this link.</i><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoJxSs2P5qLTzWKlz-LlWUjSZ2t6SA3WwWVfAeH6OL8dMt_fmUnFE0dSwUg8wgTSz-5-2U1G0j6prZZhqa6BfPgV0WdXH2uVzBCCg70-r8Csh3-qtlsYLKMkaCs9uAx_HbVGYExI49ELil/s1600/evernote-note-copy-note-link.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoJxSs2P5qLTzWKlz-LlWUjSZ2t6SA3WwWVfAeH6OL8dMt_fmUnFE0dSwUg8wgTSz-5-2U1G0j6prZZhqa6BfPgV0WdXH2uVzBCCg70-r8Csh3-qtlsYLKMkaCs9uAx_HbVGYExI49ELil/s400/evernote-note-copy-note-link.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click Note --> Copy Note Link </td></tr></tbody></table><i><br /></i><i><br /></i><br /><h2>Step 2: Create a Shortcut in the appropriate folder (PC Instructions)</h2>a. Go to the folder where you want your shortcut<br />b. Right Click and select New and click shortcut with the left click button<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2sf3SuJvVxPfSfE5Xojihxv2wnotGeL_rrrvvUpRtTsurzd1qEYFnqUCNj5btkHVhToge0ZkEznCps4oXFNbJmRmdB3_cvzzyrEhwXpKd0a2-FwrvXhDYed5ZT4byi5lQKr0LWHjCsQ-p/s1600/evernote-create-shortcut-step2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2sf3SuJvVxPfSfE5Xojihxv2wnotGeL_rrrvvUpRtTsurzd1qEYFnqUCNj5btkHVhToge0ZkEznCps4oXFNbJmRmdB3_cvzzyrEhwXpKd0a2-FwrvXhDYed5ZT4byi5lQKr0LWHjCsQ-p/s400/evernote-create-shortcut-step2a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Right click in the folder --> New --> Shortcut</b></td></tr></tbody></table><br />c. Click in the "Type the location of the item" box and press the Ctrl key on your keyboard and the letter "V" at the same time. Click Next.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYPMRpMUGiMI1F5R8Ko2sjW8hyphenhyphens9m31aha-iWB-UCyFt-vsEPn4yezdbonNRzs7JD3CFBcCCzrmilCaU0ekEj3_ZrvKL7OZKQwdEhxMCPFBFEBzXkbDgScYSW374JSQG-jO-YPULdcEU0n/s1600/evernote-create-shortcut-step2b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYPMRpMUGiMI1F5R8Ko2sjW8hyphenhyphens9m31aha-iWB-UCyFt-vsEPn4yezdbonNRzs7JD3CFBcCCzrmilCaU0ekEj3_ZrvKL7OZKQwdEhxMCPFBFEBzXkbDgScYSW374JSQG-jO-YPULdcEU0n/s400/evernote-create-shortcut-step2b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Press the Ctrl key on your keyboard and the V key simultaneously to paste in the link.</b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />d. Type a name that will make it clear what this routine is. Click Finish.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdExv-dzUgam7msIkczwAF7h7pY8MxVSI-bVQginl3TUCpozZdVpr5vBU-ua3wF2KL1JZf-oNmArRXsfZMtIW3Oyqc_QHBOCXrsCbwMoMs4iEsXiHUHzcgW0pNixNRhRzbtnpXVEIrh9SE/s1600/evernote-create-shortcut-step2c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdExv-dzUgam7msIkczwAF7h7pY8MxVSI-bVQginl3TUCpozZdVpr5vBU-ua3wF2KL1JZf-oNmArRXsfZMtIW3Oyqc_QHBOCXrsCbwMoMs4iEsXiHUHzcgW0pNixNRhRzbtnpXVEIrh9SE/s400/evernote-create-shortcut-step2c.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Add a descriptive name</b></td></tr></tbody></table><br />e.You now have a nice shortcut to an evernote notecard for the routine.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn2XrPQRgUnMAS-FHFeg7U6EuvTlnrzIOxlnw3g-YQ1PDkYlglUCf98AcDIQ9qFPYqg0eiDHPh1BLy_6RXcyeYd-AIkQFJFsHikPJjzF5apDSQuxoQTO2jm-jgBqyKC5aPmGlOn5GMihVY/s1600/evernote-create-shortcuct-step2d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn2XrPQRgUnMAS-FHFeg7U6EuvTlnrzIOxlnw3g-YQ1PDkYlglUCf98AcDIQ9qFPYqg0eiDHPh1BLy_6RXcyeYd-AIkQFJFsHikPJjzF5apDSQuxoQTO2jm-jgBqyKC5aPmGlOn5GMihVY/s320/evernote-create-shortcuct-step2d.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>It is now in the folder. You could begin the instructions with a <br />special character to put  it at the front of the folder like a period.</b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />Remember that you can use this for wherever you have the routines. The reason that I like using evernote instead of lots of tiny documents is that within evernote or any notetaking app, you can search and have routines. If you look back at the original card, the tags I use will prompt me for what happens in January and I can lay my hands on it, for example, if I need information or instructions.<br /><br />This is an example of something I do once a year. It took me 2 hours today. I'll be interested next year how much time it takes me when I don't have to dig deep and remember what I did last year.<br /><br /><div class="zemanta-related" style="clear: both; margin-top: 20px; overflow: hidden;"><h4 class="zemanta-related-title">Related articles</h4><ul class="zemanta-article-ul zemanta-article-ul-image" style="margin: 0; overflow: hidden; padding: 0;"><li class="zemanta-article-ul-li-image zemanta-article-ul-li" style="background: none; display: block; float: left; font-size: 11px; list-style: none; margin: 2px 10px 10px 2px; padding: 0; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; width: 84px;"><a href="http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/2013/01/create-checklists-in-evernote-to-save.html" style="border-radius: 2px; box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px #999; display: block; padding: 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.zemanta.com/137480794_80_80.jpg" style="border: 0; display: block; margin: 0; max-width: 100%; padding: 0; width: 80px;" /></a><a href="http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/2013/01/create-checklists-in-evernote-to-save.html" style="display: block; height: 80px; line-height: 12pt; overflow: hidden; padding: 5px 2px 0 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Create Checklists in Evernote to Save Time</a></li><li class="zemanta-article-ul-li-image zemanta-article-ul-li" style="background: none; display: block; float: left; font-size: 11px; list-style: none; margin: 2px 10px 10px 2px; padding: 0; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; width: 84px;"><a href="http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/17/dolphin-browser-adds-evernote-clipping-and-one-stop-sharing/" style="border-radius: 2px; box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px #999; display: block; padding: 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.zemanta.com/138807605_80_80.jpg" style="border: 0; display: block; margin: 0; max-width: 100%; padding: 0; width: 80px;" /></a><a href="http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/17/dolphin-browser-adds-evernote-clipping-and-one-stop-sharing/" style="display: block; height: 80px; line-height: 12pt; overflow: hidden; padding: 5px 2px 0 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Dolphin browser adds Evernote clipping, one-stop sharing and syncing</a></li><li class="zemanta-article-ul-li-image zemanta-article-ul-li" style="background: none; display: block; float: left; font-size: 11px; list-style: none; margin: 2px 10px 10px 2px; padding: 0; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; width: 84px;"><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/cool-ways-to-use-evernote-2013-1" style="border-radius: 2px; box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px #999; display: block; padding: 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.zemanta.com/138568337_80_80.jpg" style="border: 0; display: block; margin: 0; max-width: 100%; padding: 0; width: 80px;" /></a><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/cool-ways-to-use-evernote-2013-1" style="display: block; height: 80px; line-height: 12pt; overflow: hidden; padding: 5px 2px 0 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">7 Unusual Ways People Use Evernote</a></li><li class="zemanta-article-ul-li-image zemanta-article-ul-li" style="background: none; display: block; float: left; font-size: 11px; list-style: none; margin: 2px 10px 10px 2px; padding: 0; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; width: 84px;"><a href="http://lifehacker.com/5973033/how-i-turned-three-years-of-paper-into-a-highly-organized-searchable-document-database-in-two-days" style="border-radius: 2px; box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px #999; display: block; padding: 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.zemanta.com/136391528_80_80.jpg" style="border: 0; display: block; margin: 0; max-width: 100%; padding: 0; width: 80px;" /></a><a href="http://lifehacker.com/5973033/how-i-turned-three-years-of-paper-into-a-highly-organized-searchable-document-database-in-two-days" style="display: block; height: 80px; line-height: 12pt; overflow: hidden; padding: 5px 2px 0 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">How I Turned Three Years of Paper into a Highly Organized, Searchable Document Database in Two Days</a></li></ul></div><div class="zemanta-pixie" style="height: 15px; margin-top: 10px;"><a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://www.zemanta.com/?px" title="Enhanced by Zemanta"><img alt="Enhanced by Zemanta" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/zemified_c.png?x-id=6e910508-12d2-474f-b639-41a7a1f4f692" style="border: none; float: right;" /></a></div>

evernote productivity Take the hassle out of tough tasks: Make shortcuts to your action steps

A good filing system includes not only the files you need but the action steps, all in one place. Earlier this week, I talked about recording checklists and action steps in Evernote.But what happens when you go to a folder and don't remember where yo…

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IdeaConnection: Open Innovation success story: Open Innovation: Goldcorp Challenge

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>"The Goldcorp Challenge was launched in March 2000 and 400 megabytes worth of data about the 55,000 acre site was placed on the company’s website. Everything that the company new about the Red Lake mine was a mouse click away. Word spread fast around the Internet and within a few weeks submissions came in from all over the world as more than 1,000 virtual prospectors chewed over the data." There were 100 sites identified, 50% of them unknown to the company based upon this data. Goldcorp became one of the most profitable in the industry. This is an example of open data and collaboration. This type of challenge is being used increasingly as people "crowdsource" as they outsource their problem solving and R&D through the use of challenges. Challenges are also a way for the great, but unnoticed and unrecognized, to rise to the top. What if we opened up data that we collect on students for problem solving?<br/><br />via Diigo http://www.ideaconnection.com/open-innovation-success/Open-Innovation-Goldcorp-Challenge-00031.html</div>

blogger Collaboration EDUCATION evernote opendata tumblr IdeaConnection: Open Innovation success story: Open Innovation: Goldcorp Challenge

"The Goldcorp Challenge was launched in March 2000 and 400 megabytes worth of data about the 55,000 acre site was placed on the company’s website. Everything that the company new about the Red Lake mine was a mouse click away. Word spread fast around…

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IdeaConnection: Open Innovation success story: Open Innovation: Goldcorp Challenge

<br /> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><br /> "The Goldcorp Challenge was launched in March 2000 and 400 megabytes worth of data about the 55,000 acre site was placed on the company’s website. Everything that the company new about the Red Lake mine was a mouse click away. Word spread fast around the Internet and within a few weeks submissions came in from all over the world as more than 1,000 virtual prospectors chewed over the data." There were 100 sites identified, 50% of them unknown to the company based upon this data. Goldcorp became one of the most profitable in the industry. This is an example of open data and collaboration. This type of challenge is being used increasingly as people "crowdsource" as they outsource their problem solving and R&D through the use of challenges. Challenges are also a way for the great, but unnoticed and unrecognized, to rise to the top. What if we opened up data that we collect on students for problem solving?<br/><br />via Diigo http://www.ideaconnection.com/open-innovation-success/Open-Innovation-Goldcorp-Challenge-00031.html<br /> </div><br />

blogger Collaboration EDUCATION evernote opendata tumblr IdeaConnection: Open Innovation success story: Open Innovation: Goldcorp Challenge

"The Goldcorp Challenge was launched in March 2000 and 400 megabytes worth of data about the 55,000 acre site was placed on the company’s website. Everything that the company new about the Red Lake mine was a mouse click away. Wor…

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