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lastpass

10 useful things you can do in the next 5 minutes

Sarah · Oct 23, 2017 · Leave a Comment

One of these days is none of these days. – Mark Twain

How often do you have small pockets of time that seem to disappear on you? What if you had a list of easy AND useful things you could do in 5 minutes per day (or less!)?

Lucky you, it’s right here! After all, it’s always easier to have an idea ahead of time what you will do that’s useful or productive in your pockets of time than to try to come up with ideas in the moment.

I just did #2! Great list of easy and useful ways to use 5 minutes per day

1. Write a status update of your written goals.

If you’re already reviewing your written goals every day, take once a week or once a month to write down a written progress report. This can be as simple as 1-2 sentences, and can be written anywhere easy. The purpose is two-fold: To have a record of your progression and to reinforce the value of your goals by physically writing down the current status of each goal.

2. Review your calendar for upcoming meetings, events or appointments.

How many times have you looked at your calendar only to realize that you have a meeting coming up that you forgot to prepare for, forgot to plan childcare for, or wanted to do a few things before it happened? Taking a quick glance at your calendar for the next day (or few days) can make a dramatic difference in how you prioritize your immediate time.

3. Read an article relevant to your professional or personal life.

I use Feedly and keep a list of news sites and blogs categorized by type of information (Business, Parenting, Food, Friends, etc). When I have a few minutes, I can quickly scan categories and/or headlines and read where I need the most encouragement.

4. Do a short workout.

There are a number of different apps with short workouts, or you could simply jog in place or walk up and down a few flights of stairs.

5. Drink a glass of water.

They say it’s good for your heath.

6. Take a series of deep, calming breaths.

I’m no expert, but taking a long, deep breath in and slow-exhale out really does relax and ground me, especially in the midst of busy or stressful times.

7. Text or email three friends.

So easy, and yet one so many of us (myself included!) don’t do if it’s not a conscious thought.

8. Clean out your handbag, desk drawer or any other single surface/drawer/cupboard.

This always takes less time than I think it will. Having clean, uncluttered surfaces is an instant mood lift.

9. Read a few pages in a book.

I keep physical books at my desk and bedside, as well as the Kindle app on my phone to that reading a page or two in pockets of spare time

10. Secure your passwords.

I started using LastPass several years ago, and it’s saved me more time than I can count not having to re-look up or reset passwords. Signing up for a LastPass account is quick (less than 5 minutes!), and you can add passwords as you go, a few minutes at a time – no need for a massive project.

Which useful idea will you take action on today? 

Need more ideas? Read 10 more tips here.

The number one timesaving app that also saves sanity and security

Sarah · Oct 14, 2015 · Leave a Comment

How many times do you have to submit a lost password request when trying to log into a website or app? Or consult a convoluted list of passwords? Or have your list of passwords somewhere entirely insecure?

Lastpass is the best password manager ever!Certain relatives of mine have a tattered small spiral notebook complete with a load of sticky notes with passwords written on it. Not only is this not secure (most of the family knows exactly where it is), it’s not with them when they are out and about.

After far too much time and headache, I broke down and started using LastPass. I wish I had done it sooner.

 

If I could shout from the rooftops just how much this has revolutionized my life, I would.

Go register for LastPass right now!

Seriously, go out and register for this right now. I used the free version for a few years before I realized the time I was wasting when I didn’t have access to my passwords on my phone was ridiculous. Especially when the price tag to upgrade to Premium and have access on my phone is a mere $12 per year.

Get a month of LastPass Premium for free by using this link to sign up.

Top 4 features of LastPass:

  • Only one password to remember (make sure you know it well though, there’s no way to recover it).
  • Automatically generate crazy-long passwords that meet any random criteria (I’m looking at you, ridiculous requirements for one uppercase letter, one lower case letter, one number, three extra symbols)
  • Ability to share passwords with someone else without giving them the actual password – and to lock out access when you’re done. If you do any work with clients or vendors online, you know how huge this is. When helping out blogging friends online, this is a great way to hop right into their website, etc without worrying about password security.
  • It’s secure! The technical bit is a little over my head, but it’s top of the line security, and LastPass gives you all sorts of notifications if you duplicate passwords, have a password that’s not very secure, etc.

Have you used LastPass or another password manager? Why or why not?


This post is part of 31 Timesaving Tools, Tips & Templates, read the rest of the series here.  

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Welcome!

Sarah Parsons Hi, I'm Sarah and thanks for joining me! I believe that as working moms, we don't have to be exhausted trying to have it all. Sure, we juggle a lot. That just makes us expert project managers, problem solvers and simplifiers. And if you feel like you're not an expert at any of that, well, you're in the right place. It is possible to manage our time well and thrive - at work, home and play. Let's do this!
#3 is key.
This has been a game-changer for my afternoons! I'm so much more productive when I manage my energy and don't try to just power through the slump. #workingmom #manageyourenergy #timemanagement
31 Timesaving Tools, Tips & Templates | strategysarah.com

31 Timesaving Tips, Tools & Templates

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The views expressed on this site are those of Sarah Parsons only, and do not represent those of any employer or client past or present with whom I have worked.
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