Kill Digital Clutter
Volume 1, No. 8
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Am I the only one trying to recover from having too many tabs open or have been frustrated while searching through endless folders and cluttered desktops, wasting precious time and energy.? I said to myself there has to be a better way. I am in the season of my life where simplicity is the goal. I have left the struggle bus behind.
With a well-organized and clutter-free digital space, I starting to enjoy increased productivity and peace of mind. Working on growing my personal brand, I need to have more time to focus on important tasks and projects, without the distraction and frustration of digital clutter. One thing that helped me was the book, The PARA Method by Tiago Forte. It breaks down in more detail his ideas from his original book, Building a Second Brain: A Proven Method to Organize Your Digital Life and Unlock Your Creative Potential.
HIDDEN HERSTORIES:
Kimberly Bryant (1967 - ): Founder and CEO Ascend Ventures and the Black Innovation Lab | Founder Black Girls CODE | Investor | Author
Here are five relevant facts about Kimberly Bryant:
Graduated from Vanderbilt University with a degree in electrical engineering with minors in Computer Science and math.
Established Black Girls CODE, a transformative organization dedicated to exposing girls of color, aged 6 to 18, to technology and computer science, emphasizing entrepreneurial concepts. Through her guidance, Black Girls CODE evolved from a local project into a global entity with numerous chapters throughout the United States and in South Africa, impacting over 100,000 students. She started this because her daughter who showed interest in STEM could not find a supportive community that encouraged and fueled that interest.
Worked for over 20 years in various technical leadership roles for companies such as Pfizer, Merck & Co., DuPont, and Genentech, where she was involved in the manufacturing side of biotechnology, particularly focusing on the production of life-saving medicines.
Advocates for STEM (Science| Technology| Engineering| Mathematics) education in general, urging youth to delve into these fields. Her advocacy efforts also focus on advancing policies that enhance access to STEM education for underserved communities.
Currently focused on an early startup accelerator to nurture founders in the US South called the Black Innovation Lab. It represents both growth and a dedication to supplying resources, mentorship, and opportunities to underrepresented tech founders who frequently encounter systemic obstacles. She is equipping these women to navigate the ‘Black GirlBoss Paradox’ which is when, “black women ascend to a certain level in leadership and they find many obstacles, and many biases around our ability to lead and hold power in current infrastructures.”
DIGITAL DECLUTTER TIPS OF THE WEEK:
Start by identifying the areas where digital clutter accumulates, such as your email inbox, computer desktop, and smartphone apps.
Take the time to unsubscribe from newsletters and promotional emails that you no longer find useful. Delete or archive old emails that are no longer relevant.
Organize files into folders and remove unnecessary shortcuts and files from your desktop. This will make it easier to find what you need and create a clutter-free workspace. The best desktop is a clean desktop.
Streamline your smartphone apps: Delete apps that you no longer use or need. Organize your apps into folders based on categories to keep your home screen tidy.
Use clear and descriptive naming conventions to make it easier to locate specific documents or photos.
Regularly review (i.e. once a quarter) your files and delete or archive those that are no longer needed. Use cloud storage services or external hard drives to free up space on your devices. When you free up space, your devices run better.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
You can absolutely be what you can't see! That's what innovators and disruptors do.—Kimberly Bryant
Creating things you can can’t see for me is about the ability to see the gaps. Seeing what is missing and having the courage to step into a space without knowing where the floor is. When I’m having trouble, I take the time to listen to what I and others are complaining about. In the midst of complaints are opportunities for creativity and growth.
SOUL FOOD CHALLENGE:
By next Friday, delete every app and file that is no longer being used or adding value.
If you want to go hardcore, sign up for Rocket Money, it will help you understand all your subscriptions. It has helped me find and delete apps that I forgot I was paying for access.
Share you thoughts in the comment section on the website.
Until next time.....remember your voice and stories matters!
