Mike Song - ZIP! Tips: The Fastest Way to Get More Done

OTHER BOOKS BY THIS AUTHOR

The Hamster Revolution

The Hamster Revolution for Meetings

Mike Song
Edited by Rachel Metzger

ZIPs for Outlook, iPad, iPhone, Gmail,
Google, and Much, Much More!

Zip! Tips

Copyright 2013 by Mike Song

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First Edition
Paperback print edition ISBN 978-1-60994-915-0
PDF e-book ISBN 978-1-60994-916-7
IDPF e-book ISBN 978-1-60994-917-4

2013-2

Cover/Jacket Designer: Pemastudio

Cover Art: Chris Volpe Photography

Interior Design: George Whipple

For Emily, Evan, and Ethan
You can do it!

The age of ZIP! has arrived and will forever change the way we work and succeed. ZIP! is a new business philosophy that takes the view that the fastest way to boost performance is to focus on technology skills versus time management. I developed this idea as a result of analyzing five powerful business trends:

The Tech-Immersion Trend The average knowledge worker now spends more than 80 percent of the day using technologies such as Outlook, the web, IM, iPad, and smart-phones. Even meetings are scheduled via e-calendars and are more virtual than ever. As a result, the value of learning tech tips has soared.

The Scratch-the-Surface Trend Today, were handed a computer, tablet, or phone and are expected to magically master all its features. Heres your iPad. Good luck! of busy professionals only discover the most superficial tech features. The most common thing I hear when teaching ZIP! Tips is Wow! I never knew I could do that!

The Tech-Obsession Trend Lets face it; were obsessed with our devices. In fact, 80 percent of all professionals get mad at colleagues who pay more attention to their smart-phones than to them!

The Use-It-Forever-Everywhere Trend Initially, my publisher worried that new software releases would make this book obsolete. Not so! Most of the Outlook tips, such as creative ways to drag and drop e-mails to convert them into contacts, tasks, and calendar items, have been present in the last five software releases. Also, most ZIP! Tips now work on products from many different manufacturers including Microsoft, Apple, and Google. The trend is toward software and advice that lasts and is flexible.

The Time-Crunch Trend We are constantly being asked to do more with less time and resources. This increases the need for short and effective learning experiences and solutions that are quick to learn and easy to use.

I hope youll join me on an extraordinary journey to a better, smarter, and faster you, who feels more relaxed and in control.

Enjoy your success!

. Mike Song, The Tech Opportunity: How Everyday Tech Skills Can Boost Performance, Productivity, and Profits, GetControl.net/blog, 2013.

. Ibid.

R ELAPSE
Harold Gets Hamsterized

I couldnt believe my eyes. Harold had relapsed! Hed turned back into a two-foot hamster and was pacing to and fro on his little rodent legs, dragging his microsized briefcase behind him.

You did this to me! he shouted, pointing a furry finger at me.

Okay, lets back up a bit. Im a productivity coach, and a few years ago I helped Harold with, um a delicate little problem. He had become so overwhelmed with e-mail, interruptions, and tasks that hed turned into a hamster. Why a hamster? Because, these days, most professionals are running in place at work like hamsters on never-ending, exhausting wheels.

Today, Harold was back, as one very frustrated rodent. He dropped his briefcase and spun toward me.

Look at me! Im supposed to be prepping for a huge press conference.

Press conference?

Yes! Ive got to address the entire Foster and Schrubb executive teamand the mediain less than three hours. Were launching a new customer service app, and I am so far behind! I still need to create handouts, brief my team, polish my speech

Wow! I said. When did you start feeling so overwhelmed?

It started a month ago and yikes!

Harold stared down at his arms in horror.

Its getting worse. Im getting furrier, shorter, and more hamsterish. Good grief!

As he buried his head in his paws, gasping for breath, I bent down to place a hand on his heaving shoulders.

Quick, Harold, I urged, have you changed anything about the way you work since we last spoke?

Harolds furry brow furrowed as he considered my question.

Yes! I attended a full-day time-management class exactly one month ago when this all started. They taught me all about daily lists, prioritizing my tasks with four codes, and getting my inbox to zero but somehow, its only seemed to make me busier and busier.

Aha! I held up my hand.

I know whats wrong, and Ill explain later, I said urgently. But right now, weve got to stop the hamsterization processstat! Harold, you need to discover a powerful new concept called ZIP!

Whats zip? Harold asked.

ZIP! is lightning in a bottle a hurricane in a can. ZIP! is rocket fuel for your career and a spa day for your stressed-out soul!