Ellen Hankes

Help Conquer CyberOverload

A new book by Your Mind on Media founder and self-described “recovering cyber-addict” Joanne Cantor, PhD, provides insightful and valuable strategies for living and working in today’s media rich world. Conquer CyberOverload: Get More Done, Boost Your Creativity, and Reduce Stress goes a step further than many books by describing in lay language how the brain, and thus our behavior, is affected by the constant barrage of media in our everyday lives. According to Census Bureau statistics, Americans consume 8.5 hours of media (television, internet, radio and more) each day outside of work.

Given the incredible drain on time that media causes, it is no wonder that multi-tasking is needed. Cantor devotes one whole chapter to convincingly explaining why multi-tasking is counter-productive. If we were handwriting a letter or document, we would never think of writing one word with a pencil, and the next word with a pen, continuing to alternate tools until the letter was finished. This is similar to what we ask the brain to do when we attempt to multi-task. The brain has to switch back and forth between the two tasks. Multi-tasking is inefficient, time-consuming and error-prone.

 
This easy-to-read book is full of convincing ways to deal with cyberoverload with sound life-balance principles. While each strategy is explained in easy-to-understand language, each chapter ends with a bulleted list of Practical Steps. With additional features such as quotes and statistics, glossary, index and resource list, the book appeals to various learning styles.

 
As a professional organizer specializing in chronic disorganization, I observe people in their work and home environments who are affected by the time constraints and stress of cyberoverload. In addition, some individuals have physical space issues related to electronic gadgetry. Outdated and unused computer hardware, obsolete software boxes and other unused media-related equipment and supplies takes up valuable space. We have become adept at learning to use the media of the moment, but the obsolete or seldom used media may be relegated to a growing clutter and disposal problem.

Are you affected by cyberoverload? I would like to hear from you.

The Mighty Binder Clip

Have you discovered the wonders of binder clips? Since they were invented nearly a century ago, binder clips have been used primarily for clipping together bundles of paper. Here's a few more ideas for your binder clips:

• Corral cords. Remove one of the wires from the metal clip. Arrange it around unsightly computer or phone cords and replace it on the metal clip. Attach the clip to an out of sight portion of the desk or other convenient place for an effective cord corral.Check this demonstration video.
• Bundle your to-do's. Affix a printed or handwritten label on the black metal area. Some examples are To Call, To Do, Day Off Dreams, or other topics for which you have multiple pieces of paper. Use the labeled clip to bundle all items that fit in that category. The benefit is fewer lost papers and clearer direction on what needs to be done.
• Focus on important things. Clip the agenda, calendar, goals or whatever needs to be kept front and center to your planner or notebook. You can keep it more visible on the front or place it discreetly just inside the front cover.
• Complete your outfit. Larger clips can be used on clothes hangers to hold scarves, undergarments, or pieces of jewelry to complete a special look.

The possibilities are endless for uses for these handy binder clips. How have you used binder clips to increase your productivity and organization? We would like to hear your ideas!