Busy Like A Boss... With Cabin Fever

I've been quite busy these last few weeks. And for that, I'm crazy grateful. But I'm also crazy crazy. As in, it is tough to keep your wits when you can't find time to do anything but work. And when you work from home, there's a good chance that there are times that you don't leave the house for days. However, I've found several ways to make the time much more bearable while in the ol' domicile.

Keeping Time With Shows & Movies

Of course I always keep time with an actual timer. But I also like to keep time with shows and movies. On one of my monitors I'll have a movie or a tv show playing, depending on how much time I need to work on a project. If I need to work 3 hours on a project, I'll que up two movies that are about 1.5 hours per. So, while I'm being entertained by listening (and occasionally looking at the screen), I lose time easier. Hey, it works. Put your Netflix account to work!

Taking Walks & Mini Workout Sabbaticals

Yuppers, that's right. I like to take small 20 or 30 minute walks and bike rides outside when the weather is nice. If it is cold or nasty out, I use the treadmill in the basement. Hey, the basement beats doing nothing. But the reason to do this, is because it gets you out of the working mindset, along with giving you more appreciation of not seeing the exact same surroundings for hours on end. Getting away will also get your creative juices flowing again, if you just allow yourself to forget about everything for a bit. So, if you get a chance, get up and out of the house at least twice a day. It is more important than you think.

Cherish Your Errands

Yes, I said it. Everyone hates errands, and so do I. But, if you time them over several days per week, it will get you out of the house even more. For instance, I consider it a good thing that I have to go pay the water bill, because I have to leave and get some fresh air. Luckily, I'm fairly close, and can even ride my bicycle on occasion. So take action to spread your errands out. Your sanity will appreciate the favor.

So yes, although working from home is fantastic in many ways, it can also close you off from the big world that is out there. But as stated above, there are several easy ways to get you out workville, and into reality again. So take a few of these tips, and quit wasting away in your office!

Learn New Things About Design Every Day

That's right. I said it. Well, perhaps not every day, but at least 5 days a week, you should learn something new regarding design. That could be some new jQuery tricks, a new Photoshop design skillset, a new 3D software or just practicing your typeset. The more you learn, the further you end up ahead of the curve.

I personally take 15 minutes a day to learn something new. That's it. And just like anything else, if you do it in steady and consistent intervals, you will be surprised at how much you get done. It adds up super quick. And before you know it, you'll be oh so proud of your accomplishments. What a concept, right?

What works best for me, is I set a timer for my 15 minutes of learning. I don't go over whatsoever, unless I'm in the absolute middle of something that I have to save or note. I've found that it gives me a a reason to come back and finish the lesson the next day. No burnout, and no boredom. And all the while, I'm officially learning something that will be oh so useful. Win, right? Right!

Remember to be consistent. If you miss a day during the week, make it up during the weekend. You can't give 15 minutes of time to your future? Exactly, so do it. You won't be disappointed.

Box Store Cable Ripoffs

Ok, so you're at Best Buy, and the awesome sales person sells you on 98 inch Plasma with built in butler service. Pretty cool right?

Right, actually. Good for you. But then, you'll certainly need an HDMI cable to go from your tv to your blue-ray/dvd/vhs/betamax/laserdisk combo right? Of course you will! And somehow you are convinced that it is a good idea to buy a "Monster Cable" for over $170. Really, I just saw a cable on Best Buy's website for $169.99. There are tons of articles about why you are being ripped off buy buying cables from box stores, so I won't bore you with that. Basically, just don't do it.

I'll make this really simple. Go to newegg.com, and buy your cables there. It's that easy. You'll save 75 to 90 percent in some cases. And these cables have been proven to be the exact same thing, just not at a gouged price.

And this goes well beyond HDMI cables. This can and does include cat5, component, s-video, audio, adapters, splitters and a whole plethora of other cables and devices you've never heard of.

Stop getting ripped off. Questions? Ask, I've got time.

3 Monitors and Some Production Please

I remember back in the day, when I used to have one monitor. It feels like ages now. I'm still amazed at how many freelancers only have one, or maybe two. But at least 3 is a minimum for me. And it should be for you too! I'll tell you why.
Having a 3 monitor setup with your essential software and such is quite a great time saver, and more important, an easy way to keep your sanity. Doesn't it get daunting going back and forth between programs over and over again? No? Well, I wish I had your patience. Or perhaps, you've just never experienced the benefits of 3 monitors. I'm thinking this is the case.

For sake of ease, we'll call the left monitor number 1, the middle monitor number 2, and the right monitor number b. You weren't even paying attention were you? I can't believe you.

Monitor 1: Browsers & Tabs, Oh My
On this monitor, I like to have up several browser windows.

On one browser window, in tabs, I'll have Gmail, Google Voice, Google Calendar and Google Docs. That would be my communications and info browser. Gmail and Google Voice are smart enough to put a number badge in the tab section to show you if you have any new emails or text messages. And did I fail to mention that you can talk via Google Voice as well? I've got a usb microphone that let's me talk hands free. Ok, back to it.

On another smaller browser window, I'll have an online timer. I use a very simple one named Online Egg Timer. It's easy and simple enough.

And on yet one more smaller browser window, in tabs, I'll have my Springpad documents, and a thesaurus.com page open. Hey, if you aren't using Springpad to take notes, you might be a crazy person. There are some great options, and you can take your notes with you anywhere, as long as you have access to the web, an Android operating system, or an iPhone/iPad. Again, you should start now. You'll thank me later. And of course thesaurus.com is essential in writing to clients and copy for projects. Well, if you have a superb vocabulary, perhaps you don't need it. However mine is barely adequate, so there is no shame in some help. Use it!

Monitor 2: Photoshop & Secondary Production Browser

On monitor dos, I like to have Photoshop open at full screen. Obviously, Photoshop takes a huge proportion of my time when designing, so it deserves my full attention on the middle screen. You forgot that the middle screen was screen number two, didn't you? Pay attention!

Ok, so along with Photoshop, I like to have one web browser page available for general searching and such. It is always right behind Phtoshop, and there if I need to do general searches, references and more. Alt+Tab will get you right there quickly. If you aren't using Alt+Tab, please tell me why. I'm waiting...

And of course, the middle screen is where your explorer folders are located. Windows 7 does a pretty decent job of letting you preview your open folders, by simply clicking on the explorer icon in your quick bar. With the integration of Live Preview, you'll have no worries seeing exactly what you have open. 

Monitor 3: Dreamweaver, Music Player & Alternative Browsers

On my far right monitor, which we decided minutes ago was number 3, I like to have Dreamweaver open. I don't full screen it however. I leave some space at the bottom of the screen.

Underneath, I like to have my mini music player (iTunes at the moment - hey don't judge me, I hate it too) and several alternative web browsers to make sure that my code and images look correct on multiple formats. I'm officially a Google Chrome guy now, but I'll have open Firefox, IE & Safari for testing purposes.

Monitor 4 (bonus): Video Out

I hadn't planned on even mentioning it, but I do actually have a 4th screen. It's actually my television, which I s-video out as a video screen for watching shows, movies and such. It's pretty sweet to be able to watch what you want on demand from your local pc library. Yeah, I dig it!

Start Using 3 Monitors NOW!

Again, I can't express to you just how much more you can get done, and in less time. And that's not even mentioning the sanity it saves. Just ask around. Anyone using multiple monitors will tell you the same.