November 30, 2020 | Comments Closed |
“Since we cannot change reality, let us change the eyes which see reality”
Nikos Kazantzakis
This has been a year like no other. The global pandemic has had an impact on every business and industry, regardless of size.
My business is no exception. I’ve been busy – innovating, launching new services and expanding my reach to assist clients in Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Asia.
I’m grateful to all my clients for trusting me to help them navigate difficult landscapes and chart new courses during these uncertain times.
In this final newsletter for 2020, I will share a list of my favourite tools for business and pleasure – things that helped me get things done and provided some relaxation. I have no vested interest in any of these products and services: they simply work for me.
My tools for getting things done
Zoom: Virtual meetings have been a game-changer
AWeber: Managing email lists and sending out this monthly newsletter
Dropbox: Organising, backing up and syncing my files and folders
Notion: Capturing my notes and managing my database and contact list
Janette Parr: My editor in Adelaide, South Australia; she keeps me looking good in print
Apple Reminders: Capturing my great and not-so-great ideas
Writing tools
Fable Castell Jumbo Grip: My favourite writing instrument, which fits my hand like a glove
Moleskine: Diary and notebooks
iThoughts: Mind mapping software
Newsletters I read
Austin Kleon: I enjoy his weekly top 10
Dan Pink: The Pinkcast
Robert Middleton: Action Plan Marketing ideas
Alan Weiss: Balancing Act and Monday Morning Memo
Dave Pell: NextDraft
Best’s Review (Digital): Industry news and updates
PropertyCasualty360.com: Financial services news and trends
Everyday reads
The Wall Street Journal
USA Today
Apple News
CNN
ABC News
Memorable books I’ve read
Hunter Prey, Saint Sinner, and Finders Keepers: The Allie Krycek Series Box Set, by Sam Sisavath
White Trash: The 400-Year Untold History of Class in America, by Nancy Isenberg
DNA USA: A Genetic Portrait of America, by Brian Sykes
Atomic Habits, by James Clear
The President is Missing: by James Patterson and Bill Clinton
Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup, by John Carreyrou
The Innocent Man, by John Grisham
Becoming, by Michelle Obama
Music favourites
Oscar Peterson: Greatest Hits
Buddy Rich: No Funny Hats
The Temptations Live at The Copa
James Brown Live at The Apollo
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
Michael Jackson: Off The Wall
The Very Best of The Spinners
Natalie Cole: Anthology
The Essential Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes
The Best of Sam Cook
Streaming service: Amazon Music
Momentum noise-cancelling headphones
Games on my iPad
Wordscapes
Dots
Flappy Dunk
Paper Toss
Angry Birds
Thank you to all my readers, clients and friends for your continued support and interest in my work. I look forward to bringing you more ideas, tips and insights, to help you get from here to there faster in 2021.