Keeping a daily schedule is the simplest way to ensure we are getting things done. People have been doing it for centuries. It consists of writing down appointments, tasks, and 'stuff to do' on a paper, sticky note, or notepad.

Well, now we have tablets. But things haven't changed much. Rather than show off a robust 'digital notepad app' like Things or Evernote - in this post I wanted to illustrate the beauty of a daily schedule in the most simplest way. So I‘m using the default 'Notes' app by Apple. But honestly, you don‘t need an iPad - this guide is truly basic; you can do it the old-school way.

Here's what my schedule looks like this week...

Catch is a neat little app for Android (and iPhone, iPad) that I've been using lately to keep track of receipts that I can later write-off as business expenses. Because nothing annoys me more than having a stuffed pocket full of receipts that may-or-may-not ever make it to the 'shoebox' or wherever the hell you're supposed to keep these things.

The app itself is actually a feature-rich note taking solution - with a simple interface for writing text notes, saving audio recordings, and snapping photos. Plus, it's got the added benefit of 'tags' to help you organize it all.

The 'snapping photos' feature is the way I save these business related receipts. And to think of it - it could probably be done without Catch - but the nice thing is - with Catch everything is timestamped, I can tag it, and also enter a description at the time a particular photo was taken (cause the tax man likes details).

And of course, later on my desktop I can open up a spreadsheet (or accounting software), login to Catch.com and formally save and enter the details of the expense to the records.

Formatting and installing Windows is a routine thing. More so back the days of Windows XP and 98, but even today it's occasionally necessary to format Windows 7 to keep things running lean.

And so - regardless of your OS - it's helpful to have a checklist of programs and tweaks that you use to setup your optimal working environment. It's handy for when you format and do fresh installs. But also, in case of a hardware failure - it's good to have a reference to how you have things setup at any given time.

Here's my list of programs and tweaks I use to get Windows 7 setup the way I want it.
A 'guide' if you will. I'm a designer, so my setup may differ significantly from that of a programmer - but regardless, there may be something here you can add to your own 'fresh install' checklist.

Contrary to the title, Goalscape didn't earn me the bonus - but it was essential in managing the project. Here's how...

My client recently sent me a cool $2,000 USD for completing a project and meeting a tight deadline.

The project objective was to convert a finished iPhone app design to the Android platform. Making sure that every screen and possible action in the app was conceptualized and customized for Android.

The app consisted of 36 user scenarios that all combined to showcase the final product. It was my job to take each one of these scenarios and recreate them for the Android. While for the most part the UI for both of these platforms can be quite similar, it is the the UX that is more significantly different. Particularly given that Android devices have a hardware back button; which gives users a little more physical control of app navigation.

Anyway, it was a big project. Wtih a tight deadline. And a cash incentive for getting it done on time. A perfect opportunity to deploy Goalscape.

Your 'daily focus' is a single area of your life that you will direct full attention to for at least 3 hours; beginning bright and early in the morning.

I've been getting some impressive results using this strategy. For me, as simple as the technique might be - the process of discovery has been a long road. From trying to stuff as many tasks in one day as possible - to chunking out blocks of focus time - and now simply just choosing a single daily focus: I have evolved my time management strategy to near perfection. So if you try my daily focus strategy, as I will break down in this article, I think you'll be delighted with the results. Because if anything, I'm speaking from experience.

When you have just one objective for the day; everything is clear.

And that objective just needs to be really simple: progress. In just one specific area of your life. Whether it's for a client project or a monumental campaign to save your ass - choose a target you can focus on and create progress.

Then, the next day - when you wake up - you'll know exactly what to do.

I've witnessed some really interesting dynamics by following this discipline. Here are some insights; some advantages you might expect from a daily focus routine.

I have a confession to make. After years of being an avid user and advocate of OneNote, Microsoft's note taking software, I have completely switched to an alternative. A superior alternative. And it's called myBase.

The search for a better note taking program began as a result of a desire for more power. It wasn't that OneNote didn't do its job. Far from. OneNote is designed to work like an everyday life notebook; and it does that exceptionally well. But I wanted something more.

Hell, something tells me there should be more to modern day note taking programs beyond the capability to search and paste images. I mean, I get that Microsoft is trying to emulate the concept of a notebook: but this is 2010. I want something dynamic!

And so, the search for a better note taking program led me to myBase. Here is an in depth review. Along with tips on how to effectively use it.

How can you give your goals more meaning? How can you improve the odds of achieving goals? And how can you track progress along the way?

I use Goalscape. Here’s why...

Goalscape is an innovative new ‘goal management’ application. The software is designed specifically to help people set, inspire, and reach goals: more easily & elegantly than ever before. And it’s surprisingly useful - because it visualizes your goals in an utterly simple, yet profound way...

Nikola Tesla said that, "If you only knew the magnificence of the 3, 6 and 9, then you would have a key to the universe."

It starts with a vision of the final outcome.

Achieve that vision by creating a strategy to get you there.

Eecute the strategy with tactics.

Fuel the strategy with ideas.

And constantly measure progress to stay on target.

The set of statements above represent a powerful philosophy that I use to empower success in business and virtually any type of project. By applying this model to your business, your projects, and sub projects - you become a well oiled machine capable of completing even the most monumental of challenges. And I think you can do it by having a lot more fun.

Let's take a closer look.