We're the makers of Daycast—a planning and time-tracking tool for makers. This is where we write about the cultures of distributed teams, working remotely, maximizing the value of our creative process, and how we navigate common challenges that arise on the road from nothing to something.
The rock: It can’t possibly matter if I do [annoying task] today. Aren’t we temporary? Brief ripples on the river of time? Why bother? The hard place: I feel bad about myself when I fail to do simple, if dreaded tasks. There is a path between these two, and an app called Finch helps me find it.
Read MoreMonitoring your hardware with the Raspberry Pi and a temperature sensor is more straightforward than you might think. This guide shows you how to leverage open-source tools and technologies to create a simple, cost-effective solution to monitor the environment in any server closet.
Read MoreAre you using a password manager? Do it; it’ll make your life easier and your passwords more secure. We recommend KeePass—it’s free and open source. And by syncing your KeePass database with the cloud service of your choice, you’ll have no excuse for not regularly updating your passwords.
Read MoreIn a productivity-obsessed environment (hi, USA), it’s easy—it’s even applauded by the rank and file of hustle culture—to put your own self-care dead last. But if gold standard productivity is your goal, you’d do better to give yourself your best, not your leftovers. Reader, heed my cautionary tale.
Read MoreWhen we started using FreshBooks, our whole invoicing process got easier. Now we spend less time billing clients and more time serving them. Here’s our full review, including a breakdown of how we use FreshBooks for client billing and what you can expect if you give it a try.
Read MoreIt’s a rare individual that takes to remote work right away. Most of us need to adjust to working from home and to build new habits if we want to be productive. Here are my 6 best, just-about-anyone-can-implement-them tips for becoming a pro at productively working from home in 2 months or less.
Read MoreFor all the noise about the harm of always-on working, very little ink is spilled on how individual professionals can realistically reclaim their time and attention. Leave the talk of digital detoxes and Big Tech reform aside for the moment… here’s something you can easily start doing today.
Read MoreA new year is underway, and you’ve got goals to crush. With these six proven tools in your personal productivity arsenal, you’ll enjoy greater focus, sharpened mental clarity, and sustained momentum—all of which you’ll use to stay committed and moving towards your targets. Come December, you’ll thank yourself.
Read MoreBecause managers are uniquely positioned to shape team culture through both everyday interactions and long-range choices, any move toward empathy will be more successful with intentional leadership. We’ve identified five things leaders can start doing right now to nurture empathy.
Read MoreSome things—like frying eggs, like planning your days—seem pretty self-explanatory but in fact yield far better results with the application of real technique. When it comes to day planning, we recommend a method that’s simple, easy to use, and helps you get more satisfaction out of your workday.
Read MoreEmpathetic cultures don’t arise by default; they must be deliberately cultivated. And while leaders that value empathy give their teams a better chance of developing it, everyone plays a role in growing an empathetic culture. Here are five things we all can do to engender empathy in the workplace.
Read MoreThe ways and contexts in which managers review creative work can reap great rewards or cause great harm. I've failed in this area enough that I'm now qualified to write (a little) about it. So here’s a baker's dozen of hard-learned lessons gleaned from 20 years observing and managing creatives.
Read MoreConfession: a packed schedule doesn’t just leave me feeling rushed; it also makes me feel important. Necessary. And in a world where busyness is the newest status symbol, I’m certainly not the only one. But it’s a trap, diminishing our ability to deliver real value. Fortunately, there’s a way out.
Read MoreSometimes all it takes to achieve my goals is a little planning, a little persistence. Other times it seems the harder I try the further my goal recedes into the distance. Then I found a planning technique that helped me understand why some goals are so elusive and what to do about it.
Read MoreDistractions can degrade productivity no matter where we work, but I find them harder to resist and recover from when working remotely. Interestingly, accountability tactics don’t solve the problem. Daily productivity requires that I know my limitations and work with them instead of against them.
Read MoreCulture is critically important, but requires some out-of-the-box thinking to evolve intentionally in distributed workforces. We believe the right kinds of perks can help. And we don't mean free stuff. We mean activities and surprises that unify dispersed workers across miles and time zones.
Read MorePicture a day-planning tool of some kind. Imagine using it. Do you feel inspired? Or does the very thought dampen your creative fire? If you're like many makers, it might just be the latter. Now, what if we told you that—with the right approach—planning your days can actually aid your creativity? It's true. We'll explain how.
Read MoreThese three books have helped shape how we work here at Open Door Teams. Using the suggestions and insight they offer, we deliver greater value for our time. Maybe you will too.
Read MoreThe way teams deal with errors is a fundamental building block on which corporate culture rests. Are errors toxic things to avoid and deny, or do you embrace them and reward bravery in addressing them?
Read MoreThe Open Door Teams blog explores topics related to remote teams—especially teams of makers—and their management. We are the creators of Daycast, the day planner and time tracker for remote makers.
Meet Daycast: the team-aware day planner and time tracker. Plan your day, track your time, and update your team all in one place.
Daycast is the time-tracking, day-planning app that improves team transparency. We use it every day. Learn more.
Get your free copy of our time management eBook here.
Reach the article from Porch here.
