I’ve been swamped with work over the past couple of weeks, so I’m playing catch-up in NetNewsWire.
What follows is a sampling of some of the better posts I’ve read from the past couple of days.
1. __[Michael Hyatt gives 12 reasons to start Twittering](http://www.michaelhyatt.com/fromwhereisit/2008/05/12-reasons-to-s.html)__
I’ve just joined the Twitter nation. I did so because of a client. I’m managing a political race, and I’m hooking him into several online communities. But in the process, I’ve started Twittering myself.
Hyatt gives a good read, and brings up some interesting points. My favorite:
> It will make you a better writer. Twitter only allows you to post 140 characters at a time. As a result, you are forced to be concise. In my opinion, this is one of the hallmarks of good writing. Short messages. Short paragraphs. Short sentences.
2. __[Get Rich Slowly: From spender to saver](http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/05/03/making-the-move-from-spender-to-saver/)__
This is one of my favorite Websites. With my last job, it was a bit easier for my wife to stay home with our two children on my salary. Still, we had to watch our spending.
Now that I’m freelancing, things are a bit tighter, but we still manage pretty well. Where we struggle — and always have — is putting more away for savings and spending less on “luxuries”.
The last two points are the best ones:
> Consider alternatives to buying new stuff. If I find myself in a mood where I have to shop, I make a trip to Goodwill. For $20, I can fill a basket of books and clothes, and I don’t feel guilty. Better yet, take time to go through the things you already own.
>
> Don’t spend your time looking for ways to spend your money. Instead, spend your time finding ways to save and invest it. Over the past few months, I’ve learned there are all sorts of things I’d rather do with my money than spend it. I want to max out my Roth IRA. I want to learn about rental properties. What about re-investing some of my cash into Get Rich Slowly?
3. __[ReadWriteWeb: What time to post](http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/new_study_shows_best_and_worst.php)__
Not sure what time it is on the West Coast, but I’m betting the late-night Sunday post isn’t in the wheelhouse of great times.
Interesting post at ReadWriteWeb, though.
4. __[Work Happy Now: 8 leadership lessons from a football coach](http://www.workhappynow.com/2008/05/02/8-great-leadership-tips-from-the-dallas-cowboys-assistant-head-coach/)__
In all seriousness, never discount the leadership and organizational abilities of coaches, especially football coaches. For whatever reason, I’ve heard countless leadership seminars arranged around the wisdom of a football coach.
This post may not be the best example, but it’s got some good nuggets in it.
5. __[LifeHacker: Free Wi-Fi from AT&T](http://lifehacker.com/386168/get-free-wi+fi-access-on-your-laptop-at-starbucks-barnes-and-noble)__
As a general rule, I hate AT&T. Therefore, any way to take advantage of them, I will henceforth pass along.
That said, I must say that their cell phone division is the only one with which I’ve had no trouble since their purchase of BellSouth/Cingular.
Still, I hate them. To the point that on my recent trip to North Carolina, which was via Atlanta, I cursed the tall building as I drove by. (Yes, I am aware of a hostility issue here.)
6. __[Productivity501: Virtual Assistants](http://www.productivity501.com/remote-assistants/716/)__
I’ve considered this, especially with the campaign. I’ve got tons of research that would be best farmed out, but I’ve never bitten the bullet.
I may have to do so. [Great post here at ZenHabits.](http://zenhabits.net/2008/01/tips-for-working-with-a-virtual-assistant-and-why-you-might-want-one/) The comments are priceless.
7. __[LifeHacker: Best Text Editors](http://lifehacker.com/385929/best-text-editors#poll_=ETO3QTM)__
OK. Old post. Nothing great here. It’s just that anyone on a Mac who does the slightest bit of coding should be using [TextMate](http://macromates.com/). Nothing comes close to this editor. Nothing. Pay for it. Use it. Enjoy it. Never regret it. TextMate. Really.
8. __[LifeHacker: Del.icio.us plugin for FF3](http://lifehacker.com/385841/delicious-extension-beta-plays-nice-in-firefox-3)__
Nice to know. [I've tested FF3](http://samrhall.com/2008/03/26/firefox-3-versus-safari-31/). [Gone back to Safari](http://samrhall.com/2008/04/12/and-the-winner-is-safari/). But I really hated not having the del.icio.us plugin.
9. __[LifeHacker: Top 10 Memory Hacks](http://lifehacker.com/384954/top-10-memory-hacks)__
If it’s a memory hack, I’ll try it. Especially for names. I’m horrible at remembering names.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey Sam, thanks for the link love. It’s always nice to see my websites getting a little nod of appreciation.
Learning from coaches, teachers, and managers is the best way to improve oneself. Jason was a well spoken man with some great tidbits about making his team better. It’s was a great opportunity to hear him speak, even though I’m not a Cowboys fan.
@Karl: I’m reminded of the old stereotype of football coaches teaching history in high school, and how history classes were a second study hall.
But in Tupelo, MS, I had a lot of great teachers who were coaches: one AP American History, one AP chemistry and one advanced creative writing and literature.
They were some of my best teachers, and all three were some of the most respected coaches around.