Productivity Tools for Academics, Lawyers, and Professionals

Productivity doesn’t have a finish line; it’s an evolving set of methods, skills, and task management habits. This is especially true when considering productivity tools for academics, lawyers, and professionals. Some time ago, I wrote a post offering some advice and links to productivity tools I found useful. I thought it was time to revisit the topic and reflect on what I’m finding most helpful now. This article is part of our effort to offer advice for research tasks and professional development, like using plain English Continue reading →

6 steps to changing the world

So you want to change the world? I am convinced that changing the world for the better starts with ourselves. I’m not alone – some of the greatest thinkers in world history agree with me. “What do you want to do with your one wild and precious life?” – Mary Oliver Here are 6 steps to changing the world. If this sparks your imagination, and you would like to learn how to apply these steps in more detail, take a look at our Guide to Continue reading →

A Practical Guide To Location Independence

Here’s the thing, I know that working from anywhere is not possible for everyone; or as I call it, location independence. But what if it could be possible for you? Following a year of 150+ days of work travel in 2017, I wrote Lessons from working from anywhere. Many of those still stand, but after over 180+ days on the road in both 2018 and 2019, including three months working in Hungary, Germany, UAE, Thailand and Australia, I have some updated thoughts on location-independent work and Continue reading →

Want to be a world changer? Pull up a chair or build your own table

Want to be a world changer? Pull up a chair or build your own table. Quit waiting around for your gilded invitation! I am often so focused on getting things done, that I don’t much care if I’ve been anointed one of the chosen ones. We need to be careful of comparing our messy beginning or middle with someone’s else’s resolution or polished delivery. I know sometimes it might feel like you’re not being given the same opportunities that others get. It’s hard and sometimes Continue reading →

Essential Archival Research Kit

Preparation is essential to making the most of limited time in an archival research library. One of my secrets to getting the most out of time is archival and reference libraries is my “essential archival research kit”! The Essential Archival Research Kit Readers card Laptop (and chargers/power cord) A pad of paper or research notebook Endnote Pencils, eraser, sharpener Outline of research Business cards Change for lockers, photocopying (though you may need to carry a Plastic form of currency if you’re anything like me), and Continue reading →

Using Archival and Research Libraries

I’ve spent quite a bit of time using Research Libraries and Archives over the last ten years. I’ve done this not only because that’s where the research took me but found me going down fun rabbit holes. That may make me a little out of the ordinary. But it has also been a steep learning curve which has given me a raft of new skills – some of which I learned the hard and unproductive way. This is one of those articles where we can Continue reading →

The Journey from novice to competent to excellent: 10000 hours to expert.

10000 hours to expert. It’s what they say. But is it true? Moving from being a newbie to leader, fledgling entrepreneur to business maven, or  student to  professoriate, is a long journey. In some ways one shouldn’t endeavor to grow out of being a student of your field. There is always something to learn – always new pedagogical techniques to consider, new ways of doing things, and new research being published, and new ways to apply that knowledge and those skills. A bit like life Continue reading →

Registering Your Non-Profit Entity in the System of Award Management (SAM.gov)

Registering Your non-profit entity in the System of Award Management – better known by its acronym, SAM – is essential for getting paid! Let me say that another way, to be paid by the US Federal government under a contract – including a services contract for delivery by a non-profit organization – a representative of the non-profit must be registered in the System of Award Management. Why do you need to be registered as a non-profit in the federal award management system? Think of SAM Continue reading →

Making Legal Easy: Ithemes and WordPress Webinars

We are committed to making Legal Easy and one of the ways that we contribute to communicating about the law clearly are through workshops for the tech community on legal topics. Ithemes is a WordPress theme creator and developer. Here is a series of workshops that we have presented for their clients and users of WordPress. If you are looking to invite Anna to speak at your event, please visit: Inviting Anna to Speak at our event. What You Should know about images and US Continue reading →

What exactly is a military influencer?: MIC 2018

The Military Influencer Conference opened its 2nd year with a bang. Last year, Milblogging was revived and we saw Military Influencer Conference 2017, now we hit the sophomore year and expectations and energies were high. Ostensibly, this is a 2 1/2 day event, however, because it is Sunday through Tuesday, many participants arrive Saturday and stay through Wednesday, and it is also held at the same time as the larger FinCon. FinCon is a premier conference (which I’ve personally never attended) which also sees numerous satellite Continue reading →