lifehacking.....

Lifehacking....

Computer enthusiasts effectionally wear the badge of "hacker" proudly.  Contrary to popular opinion, hacking is not breaking into other people's systems, setting off nuclear bombs, and crashing financial systems.  The hackers that I know use their knowledge to help find innovative, unique, or interesting ways to perform random tasks with technology.

From "overclocking" their processor to gain more speed, to "modding" their Tivo to hold a larger hard drive....hackers often find a way to gain productivity that was not possible under conventional methods.

An article in the Economist brought to be the popular blog Lifehacker (www.lifehacker.com) a few years ago.  The premise of lifehacker was simple, using the hacker ethics to work and life more productively.

My random visit to Lifehacker drove me into more research....reading David Allen's "Getting things done", to other sites like zenhabits, lifehack.org, and 43folders.com

As a result of my interest in lifehacking, I've become a slave to my "hipster pda"....a moleskin notebook and nice pen.  My friends have seen me writing in it, and I constantly write down to-dos and random notes to myself.

also, through lifehacking, I have become devoted to "better living through measurement".  I've started slowly, measuring my progress in jogging.  A few weeks ago, I widened my measurement net, and started measuring my caffeine consumption, with the ultimate goal of quitting caffine.  Once I get that under wraps, I plan on logging my food.....and hopefully finding peace with a healthier diet.

While I'm still not organized, and as my coworkers can attest, still incredibly unproductive...I'm making baby steps towards my personal and professional goals....and I thank lifehacking for lighting a fire under me. 

Some resources to getting started:

Online -
Lifehacker - my original foreay into this concept.  While it is more technology driven, there is occassionally a great article written there.

Lifehack.org - Doesn't provide specific systems for productivity, but I've come to rely on this site for interest quotes.

43folders.com - utterly devoted to David Allen's concept of "Getting Things Done".  newbies might find it to be a little too much, but, I like it.

Books -
"Getting Things Done" by David Allen
"The 4 Hour Work Week" by Timothy Ferris

Tools-
Moleskin notebook - i know its just a notebook...but I love mine, and I'm completely lost without it...

Parker pen - yes, its a $5 pen, but since I knew that I spent $5 on it, the pen is always next to my moleskin

Quicken (or MS Money) - the ultimate for data geeks.  I use it to track credit cards, investments, and plan for my financial future.

I know that this list is nowhere near exhaustive, so....what have you guys found helpful?  Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments.