Blog

I post on a variety of subjects. However, the common theme is tech simplicity for business and needing less to live a fulfilling life.

After months of thinking about it, endless days trying to figure out what it should be about and countless Red Bulls, cigars, shots of whiskey, bars of chocolate, (some of that is a lie, I’ll let you figure out what ones), I’ve managed to put together a great Tech Minimalism Video Course!

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Being 'productive' doesn’t mean what you think it means

The word ‘Productivity’ is not something I like to use, not because I don’t think people should be productive, but I think it’s being overused and for the wrong reasons.

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The killer features that help

When I’m using an app, or better still, when I’m searching for an app to use, I always look for that killer feature.

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Things can always be improved

There is this tendency to just work, work, work and not step back to understand why we’re working 27 hours a day!

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Do workshops work?

Simple answer: YES!

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You get what you pay for

I often hear from my clients that adding yet another subscription to use a tool for their business is getting to a tipping point, and to an extent, I agree.

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Now is the time to work on your business

If you’re working in your business and find you have no time for anything other than client work, then you might need to start thinking about working on your business.

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Should you use Basecamp or Notion?

Both Basecamp and Notion are amazing apps. However, they do things quite differently, and if you’re thinking between the two, I know what I would choose.

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This helped me overcome one of my fears

Overcoming your fears is not an easy thing to do, but there are always people who can help you with whatever you’re fighting with.

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Having 15 spoons isn't necessary

A few weeks ago, I made a ‘Reset’ video going through and resetting my tools and the apps I use to run my business.

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My thoughts on online courses & 'help' articles

Online courses and ‘help’ articles are all over the internet. However, they don’t always help (at least 99% of them) are virtual ’stings’ to sell you something else.

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Do you have back up tools?

Backing up is vital to make sure you don’t lose any data but have you thought about a backup of the tools you use in your business?

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Your clients should not jump through hoops

If you’re running a business, you need to make sure that your clients and prospective clients, can get a hold of you without having to jump through hoops.

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Too much choice can be a burden

The amount of times I’ve seen a client with a bunch of duplicated apps is insane.

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Why black and white? It's all about simplicity

To do things quickly, efficiently and well, I like to do things simply. Recently I was asked why I make my videos in Black and White, so I thought I’d respond in the best way I know how by making a video explaining it all.

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Beware of people selling snake oil disguised as 'remote work' advice

In times of desperation and needing expert advice, you need to worry about the credentials of the person giving you the information.

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If you need Tech or IT help through this crisis, just ask

The weekend is upon us, and the situation around the globe isn’t getting any better. There are a ton of businesses feeling the pinch, by either lack of work or having to stay home and remote working.

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Don't follow the 'remote work' hype blindly

So the newfound ‘hype’ or remote work is getting out of hand with this coronavirus (COVID-19) issue the world is having.

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What’s on my iPhone

I was asked to do an episode on the apps I use on my iPhone and how it’s all set up, so here you go.

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The importance of being poor

The more we have, the more problems we have to deal with. This is true in all areas of our lives.

Just because your technology is the newsiest, the one with the most features or has won awards, doesn’t mean it will work for you.

In today’s episode, I share a personal story, about how the experience helped me understand the importance of being poor, having nothing, and how it helped me realise that less is more.

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Reset

If you’re like me, you probably have pushed the reset button a few times.

Doing a reset, personally or professionally, is one of the best things you could do to help you find clarity.

So for my 100th video, I want to share what I have reset in my work and personal life so that you can see how freeing it can be.

Want to simplify?

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Be your own client, then simplify

When you’re your own client, you often find things within your tool stack you never use or need.

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Start paying attention to the remote work conversation

Remote Work isn’t a fad, it’s one area of your business that you need to start paying attention to. The talent you’re employing could be of much better calibre if you start casting your net wider.

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Perfectionism is not your friend

I’ve been a perfectionist for as long as I remember and it’s not been a great asset to have.

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Email is not the problem

After reading a post in a group I’m involved with, it got me thinking about email and the services out there trying to help you organise.

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Don't be Norm

In the TV show Cheers, there was Norm, he sat on the same stool, drank the same beer, and did the same thing day after day.

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Do you use a password manager?

The number of times I have a client who gets annoyed they have a virus, been hacked or have malware infecting their Macs is getting beyond stupid.

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Remote work can help your business thrive

In recent times ‘remote work’ has become vital to the smooth running of a business.

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Beware of the 'Digital Transformation' buzzword

The latest buzzword is Digital Transformation that’s going around and being used as a marketing tool for selling technology that businesses don’t need.

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Stop losing business due to lack of communication

Communication is one of the significant parts of your business! If it breaks down, either with your staff or your client, then bad things will happen.

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I've had enough! I'm just WAY too busy!

Yep, sorry, I just don’t have the time! How many times have you said that to yourself, a colleague or a friend? I bet it’s way more than you think it is.

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How to organise files and folders with tags on your Mac

After analysing my folder structure, I found there was something I wasn’t able to do.

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Using a calendar vs a task manager

I’ve started seeing a ton of videos online about using a calendar and ditching your task manager by so-called productivity gurus, and it’s annoying the hell out of me.

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People confuse simple with easy

It’s funny to think people confuse simple with easy. I’ve said this before, but trying to be simple, is very hard to accomplish.

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How to organise your iCloud files

I’m often asked about file organisation on iCloud and on my client’s Macs, so in today’s epidote, I walk through my system and show you my personal framework on file organisation that should help you get more organised.

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iCloud and how to backup your data properly

I’m still seeing people use iCloud as a backup solution and it’s a big mistake!

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Things 3: My task manager of choice and how I use it

Finding the right tool is paramount to getting things done thought your life or business, so when it was time to re-organise my workflow and framework, I stripped it all back and decided to go back to simplify.

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Will doing the opposite of what you're currently doing work?

If doing the same thing over and over again isn’t giving you the results you need, maybe it’s time to do the complete opposite!

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Stop forgetting things, use a task manager

If you’re not using a task manager to help you throughout your day, then you’re missing out!

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Choose your tools wisely

Having a bunch of wrong tools, apps and services, won’t only waste your time, but it can also be a pain to organise.

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Simplify your Mac

If you’re fighting with your Mac and fed up with not having a good system that just works, then this is going to help. In this 2-hour session, we’ll go over your current system together and issues and find a way to minimise your tech frustrations and maximise your Mac organisation!

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Can this new tool from Basecamp help with your email organisation?

Yesterday Jason Fried, the Founder & CEO of Basecamp, Tweeted about a new email service called Hey which will be released in April.

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Trust your workflow, not the app!

WOW! Ok, here goes… This episode is a rant!

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Getting out of your comfort zone

It’s not an easy task to leave your comfort zone, but you’ll be glad you did and wish you did it earlier.

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Failure is not something you should worry about

You don’t start a task or project because you’re scared of failure not because of the outcome.

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Are you wasting time with your Mac?

A lot of my clients tend to get frustrated with their Macs and the Tech they have, but often it’s self-inflicted.

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How to create a simple filing structure that works

Having a workable system or workflow is hard to come by.

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Asking for help is never a bad thing

It should be evident that asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It’s a quest for information to find a better way, no matter the subject.

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What's the NoCode movement and how can it help you?

Doing things simply and efficiently is pretty much intertwined with anything I do. Finding shortcuts, tips and tools to help me accomplish my tasks quickly is like Christmas!

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So how safe is your data?

In a conversation with a friend of mine yesterday the topic of data storage and how cloud services like iCloud Drive, G Suite & Dropbox should be used.

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What not to do when choosing the right tools

There’s always a moment of weakness, a voice in the back of your mind saying; ‘go on do it!’

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Fewer complications lead to more time

It’s mathematics, pure and simple. If we complicate things, we end up having to deal with so much crap that we end up wasting time.

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You're not alone, everybody hates change

In this episode, I share a personal story of how I faced one of my fears and overcame it, and it helped me understand that change, however big or small, can be a great thing!

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Why use the cloud and not dedicated servers?

In the past I, and other IT Consultants, installed dedicated servers for businesses, and even freelancers and professionals.

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Is it possible to only work 3-4 hours a day?

Personally, I think it is. But it does depend on a few things; Your work, your mindset and your workflow.

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Just because it’s simple, doesn’t mean it’s easy

I find people complicate ‘simple’ with being ’lazy’ or ’easy’ and that’s FAR from the truth.

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How often do you check your email?

What if I told you that only checking your email mailbox once or twice a day will get you more productive and your world won’t burn to the ground?

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Yes, it is possible to have email inbox zero

After yesterday’s video, I got a few messages and emails asking me how is it possible I have a clean inbox with nothing in it, they didn’t understand how that was possible.

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How to organise your email mailboxes

How nice would it be to have an email mailbox that’s always organised, simplified & easy to use?

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Fixing your complicated and messy email

We all use email, we all need email and want to have our email setup correctly. Right?

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So, what's Tech Minimalism?

In this video, I want to talk about what Tech Minimalism is to me. After running a few businesses over the years, I’ve found a way to minimise and simplify every aspect of my business.

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Back up your Mac and stay happy

Just got back from a client where his ‘data’ hard drive with his Photo library has an issue.

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Want to stay hyper focused?

Ever think that the app or service you’re using is not what you expected?

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How to have a happy and productive day

The difference between saying you have a ‘busy day’ and a ‘full day’ is enormous when it comes to calming your mind.

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How do you keep your Mac data safe?

Today’s video comes to you from a client’s location. They’re having issues with their iMac, so call me to help them resolve it.

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How many inboxes do you actually need?

Do you find yourself bouncing from one inbox to the other all day every day, trying to find out what needs to get done? Well, it’s time to cut your inboxes!

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Why the need for complications?

Have you ever found that people overcomplicate things and can’t figure out what they’re saying?

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Is this the wrong platform?

I’m often asked what the best platform or tool is for a workflow or business, and as a Tech Minimalist, I get to work to find the simplest, easiest to use (for my clients and myself) and most cost-effective solution possible.

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New tools and the new Dojo

Stop looking for new tools that you think will ‘automagically’ help you do more this year. It’s not out there!

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2020

A new year, a new decade and a new beginning, I hope the coming year will be as fantastic for you as it will be for me!

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Yearly review

Doing a yearly review is a great way to look back and see how far you’ve progressed (or failed) to make the coming year ten times better!

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Don't fall into the trap!

Do you have ‘shiny object’ syndrome? I for sure know I have!

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Do what you want

Wouldn’t it be great to be able to do what you wanted all year round and not just in the holiday season(s)?

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Last Christmas

It’s the last Christmas of the decade, and today I look back on the reasons why I don’t celebrate this time of year.

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Technology for good

Use technology for good to bring your loved ones closer over the holidays.

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The right environment

Creating the right environment for your surroundings when you work is a great way to stay healthy and productive, but do you also give the same amount of thought to your apps and tools?

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Learning all the time

Learning something new every day should be on top of your todo list.

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Gut feelings

Gut feelings are good, but it has to be an informed ‘gut feeling’ otherwise you’ll pay dearly to change that decision later on down the line, and that’s never a good thing for you, your time, or your clients.

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I’m sorry

I messed up, and I’m genuinely sorry. Just a selfish video to myself.

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Choose wisely

Do you keep bouncing from app to app for your business?

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Stay ahead of the game with your IT and Tech

We all get annoyed when we need our things fixed, but it’s especially annoying if the tool we need to run our business will be out of action for days.

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How many subscription services do you use?

There are so many software/service subscriptions that it can get annoying having to pay for more and more of them.

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Do you keep leaving things to the last minute?

Are you someone who tends to leave things to the last minute?

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Why I'm no longer using Todoist

There was a question regarding my last video about using the right tool for the right job and why I don’t use Todoist anymore.

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Are you using the right tool?

If you’re not happy with your workflow and getting frustrated with your IT & Tech, it might be because you’re not using the right app or tool to help you through your workday.

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How I work with Basecamp and my calendar

Earlier this week I spoke about my workflow and an experiment I was working on with my agenda.

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The importance of not being busy

If you’re always working and being ‘busy’ then you have no right to complain when others are too busy for you.

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How to focus better with hard borders

Having ‘hard borders’ with your apps and tools help you concentrate and focus on what you’re doing, that way you don’t get distracted by things on the screen that are within your view.

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Create more time by allocating it better

Do you allocate time to the day-to-day running of your business tasks?

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How much more simpler can you get?

Is it possible to make my workflow, even more, simpler than it already is?

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Man flu and business

Good, it’s Friday. I need to recover and shake off my ‘man flu’ over the weekend.

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What’s on my iPhone

Yep, my iPhone and the apps I use on it are just as simple as everything else I do.

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Hustle porn

Have you noticed recently how people post articles about only having 4-6 hours of sleep, getting up early, and making sure you work, work, work and close that deal?

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Headaches and goals

When you set a goal, no matter what, you have to stay focused on the goal to achieve it.

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Setting goals

Do you ever set goals for yourself or your business? I never did until recently. I obviously set some ‘sort of’ goal, but never committed to them religiously.
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That has changed recently, and over the weekend something so extraordinary happened, that I just had to set this massive goal for myself.
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Yes, I ordered the Tesla Cybertruck!
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If you’re about to buy a Tesla, maybe use my referral code. You’ll get 1000 free supercharger miles and it’ll help me out too: https://kia.pm/tesla

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