It’s been a great week here at Fancy Hands HQ. You know also had a big week? One of our favorite users Veronica Belmont who got engaged :) Check out her thoughts on productivity and how she uses Fancy Hands to stay on track.
Who: Veronica Belmont
Location: San Francisco, CA
Bio: Veronica is a technology and gaming-centric video host. Currently her projects include Tekzilla, (a weekly tech help and how-to show on Revision3.com), and The Sword and Laser, a science fiction and fantasy video show, podcast and community.
-What’s a task that you hate doing but always shows up on your to-do list?
Grocery shopping! I always run out of groceries at the worst possible time (like dinner time, for example).
-Speaking of to-do lists, do you use one or have any other tips/resources to help you stay on track and productive?
I’m a big fan of SimpleNote paired with Notational Velocity. Notational is a really simple text editor that I use for everything, and it syncs with all my devices via SimpleNote. Previously, I used an app called Things on my laptop and iPhone, but keeping that udpated became just one more thing to do!
-If you were going to outsource something that you currently need to get done, what would it be?
I actually used Fancy Hands recently to help plan a work outting to Napa! They helped me find a wine tour that could accomadate 15 people and take us to all the spots we wanted to see. That was more research than I had time to comb through, so it really saved me a lot of hassle!
-What kind of practices/routines help you increase your productivity?
I’m a list-maker. I feel a lot better about my busy day if I can look at it as a list of actionable items. The act of putting a task out of your brain and onto a piece of paper (or text file) is actually pretty therapeutic!
-How did you first hear about us?
My fiance signed us up a while ago, and I’m not sure where he heard about it! Probably TechCrunch. I use the service way more often than he does, however!
-What is your favorite task that we’ve helped you with?
You helped me find an erotic bakery for a joke birthday present for one of my girlfriends!
-If you had an extra hour each day how would you use it?
Reading! The only time I find to read is right before bed, but by that point I’m so exhausted I just fall asleep.
Our friends at Mindsnacks are giving us a try to help with their productivity. Check our chat with Mindsnacker Haley Nehman below.
-If you were going to outsource something that you currently need to get done, what would it be?
Finding out details and different pricing plans for purchasing and keeping a mobile hotspot for MindSnacks!
-What kind of practices/routines help you increase your productivity?
Getting all my to-dos down, and then establishing what I can achieve this week, this day, this hour, and then narrowing my focus.
-What tools do you use?
I use kanbanery.com. It’s an amazing tool that helps track your to-dos and productivity! It helps me mentally shelve to-dos that I can get to tomorrow or next week, without fear of forgetting them.
-If you had an extra hour each day how would you use it?
I would spend it reading. :)
-How did you hear about Fancy Hands?
TechCrunch!
“I’m not saying you should just blow off your communication-related obligations at will, but being omni-available in “real time” should not be your default if you can help it. Let’s be honest: The consequences of ignoring or deferring incoming messages until you’re ready to review them are abstract and vastly overestimated, while the consequences of being that asshole who keeps checking his iPhone at dinner are very real. Yes, certain people should have the authority to interrupt you at will. But do consider this possibility: if the people to whom you’ve extended this privilege invoke it primarily via “things that ding,” your priorities may be seriously fucked.” — Confessions of a recovering lifehacker « John Pavlus (via maxlinsky)
(via maxlinsky)
Happy Friday to All! We always love to chat with users that are using us for work (plug: solution for this is Teamwork by Fancy Hands) Adam has a pretty incredible Job. Check out our chat below.
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Bio: I’m Adam Sirois, co-founder of Underground Eats, a discovery engine for culinary experiences.
Location: Chinatown & Dumbo, BK
What’s a task that you hate doing but always shows up on your to-do list?
Calling Time Warner. Every week it’s something different, and there goes 30 mins of my day.
Speaking of to-do lists, do you use one or have any other tips/resources to help you stay on track and productive?
I’m a list-maker, they bring out my competitive nature. Each item you cross off is a small victory. I use the Wunderlist iphone app and lots of paper and sharpies.
If you were going to outsource something that you currently need to get done, what would it be?
Wedding planning.
What kind of practices/routines help you increase your productivity?
Getting up early. Also, whenever possible, I only book meetings on 2 days out of the week. Meetings are a huge productivity killer.
What tools do you use?
Of course Fancy Hands, good headphones, Spotify, proper espresso, interns.
How did you first hear about us?
A friend sent me the link and I’ve been addicted to it ever since.
What is your favorite task that we’ve helped you with?
Finding the best custom ice sculptor in NYC. I’m trying to make a giant ice lobster.
If you had an extra hour each day how would you use it?
Doing something active. Right now I’m really into handball.
Best 404 page ever? we think so… ;)