Praj's Blog

Firefox Keyword Bookmarks

If you like having a number of bookmarks available to you, then how about using keyword bookmarks in Firefox?

Here’s how it looks:

With the use of favicons, its enough in most cases just to use just one letter, e.g. w for wikipedia. This gives you heaps more real estate to fit in your favourite bookmarks. Of course if you have conflicting bookmarks with the same first letter, add a second letter, e.g. fb = facebook, fl = flickr.

What’s more, you can specify keywords that correspond to each bookmark name, e.g. the letter w for wikipedia or the letters lh for the lifehacker site.You simply type the letter(s) in the address bar and you are automatically taken to your bookmark. You also don’t need to remember the shortcut letter(s) – just look at your bookmarks toolbar, find the favicon and pick out the right one. Too easy!

Here’s how to add keywords in Firefox (note the convention, name = keyword):

Pomodoro Technique

The pomodoro technique is a time managed technique based on 25 minute time boxes with a 5 minute break. You can read all about it by visiting the web site and downloading the free ebook (PDF format). Its simple and very effective, particularly if you tend to procrastinate.

Focus on actually doing stuff with a timer

Try just doing short intervals of work, for example 20 minutes, spaced out with adequate breaks. Use a timer. Any timer will do, but if you want an online one, E.gg Timer does a good job.

I think too much effort is spent on being productive rather than just doing stuff. Once you know a task is important and should be completed, the only thing left is to actually complete it, right?

Basically, I’ve been taking the approach of, listing anything I want to do in a big task list. Keep this list simple – paper based or a single text file. Then go through the list and pick out things that are important. Important generally means the task will help towards accomplish a worthwhile goal OR is something you need to do to keep things going (e.g. pay the bills). Then use a timer to chip away at the task. Some tasks can be completed in 20 minutes, others require a number focused attempts to complete.

Remember:

• Focused effort for 20 minutes (no distractions)
• Do things that are important

This is the stuff I’ve picked up from reading a number of productivity blogs, in particular Zen Habits.

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