| As an independent consultant you must be | | | | your little used icons into it. |
| constantly concerned about personal development | | | | Reduce the number of Auto Starting Programs. Go |
| and continuous growth. If you aren't you will be | | | | to "Run" type in msconfig, go to Startup and |
| passed by those who are. In this mission, the | | | | uncheck all the program you don't want to be loaded |
| personal computer remains an essential tool in the | | | | during Startup. |
| independent consultant's toolbox. If you were | | | | Update your Programs regularly. Go to Control Panel. |
| actively working in this occupation during the 70's and | | | | Look for Update and click to see what programs |
| 80's, you realize how arduous it was in maintaining | | | | need to be updated. |
| contacts with your clients, preparing individual | | | | Clean up your Registry. CCleaner is one of the best |
| proposals, letters, and articles as well carrying out | | | | programs for cleaning up your registry and is another |
| other related activities. The effective use of | | | | one I highly recommend. |
| technology has made your work a lot easier and | | | | Both RevoUninstall and CCleaner are free programs. |
| allowed you to become more productive. However, if | | | | If you use Gmail (and if you don't, you should |
| you are new to this occupation, be thankful that you | | | | consider doing so), here are some Gmail shortcuts: |
| didn't have to experience that state of affairs. | | | | Shortcut Key, /, search - puts your cursor in the |
| In becoming more productive, three things are | | | | search box |
| essential in using your personal computer: learn to use | | | | Shortcut Key, g then c, - lets you go to "Contacts" |
| the keyboard effectively and cease being a slave to | | | | Shortcut Key, g then d, lets you go to "Drafts" |
| the mouse; learn to keep your computer fast and | | | | Shortcut Key, g then i, lets you go the "Inbox" or |
| clean, and therefore minimize the possibility of | | | | returns you to the "Inbox" |
| instability and crashes; and learn shortcuts for your | | | | And finally, here are five tips for saving time when |
| commonly used programs and operating system. | | | | using Vista: |
| For your operating system, here are three keyboard | | | | CTRL + ESC - Opens the Start menu |
| shortcuts for the Windows key: | | | | CTRL + Shift + ESC - Opens Windows Task |
| Winkey + F - To search for a file | | | | Manager`. |
| Winkey + R - To open the Run window | | | | ALT + TAB - Switch between open windows |
| Winkey + E - To open the computer | | | | ALT + SPACEBAR - Opens the shortcut menu for |
| Keeping your computer fast and clean is also a | | | | the active window. |
| necessity. Here are five strategies for doing so: | | | | These are just a few of the keyboard shortcuts and |
| Uninstall Unneeded Software. RevoUninstall is one of | | | | strategies that allow your computer to be friendlier |
| the best programs for doing so. I highly recommend | | | | and help you in your personal development and |
| it. | | | | growth as an independent consultant. There are |
| Declutter and organize your desktop. Set up an Icon | | | | many more, but these are just a few of the ones I |
| labeled "Extra Icons" on your Desktop and sweep all | | | | use regularly. |