Part of the aim of this blog is to share with you tools that will/could help you in your career. There are so many online tools available that it can be difficult to keep up. Here is one tool that I suggest you give a go, Gist.

I’ve recently joined Gist and am still coming to terms with what it can do. Put simply Gist  has been designed to have all your digital contacts in one place and see what they’re doing different areas on the web: email. social networking sites, blogs etc…

Its free to sign up so to gist.com and have a play.

I was on the Gist site last night and was scanning through their blog and came across a great post on the topic of new work styles. Here is a slightly shorter version of the post for your to read.

The New Work Style blends the latest technologies and tools with our daily activities allowing us to accomplish more in both personal and professional endeavors, accelerate ideas of our own, and lead more productive lives.

Unlike workflow which is defined by scripted and static process for everyone to follow, workstyle is unique to the individual who calls upon information, technology, and connections as needed.

This definition along with our understanding of it will evolve as the pace of innovation accelerates and individual “style” is applied to work.  Jason Fried’s great presentation at a TEDx event about “why work doesn’t happen at work” is an exclamation point on our concept.

We believe there are 10 characteristics of the New Work Style:

1.  Mobile – always on and aware.

2.  Connected via hi-speed/broadband access – connected by a seriously big pipe.  No dial up in the new workstyle.

3. Self-sufficient - have their own equipment which is often superior to what is provided by their employer or used in lieu of (computers, mobile device, printers, software, etc.). Demonstrate resiliency in their ability to navigate and thrive in an increasingly ambiguous workplace (and world).

4.  Virtual – location independent with minimal impact on contribution.  In fact, productivity is higher as the lines between work time and personal time blur along with designated work and personal locations.

5.  Broad personal and professional on-line networks – meaningful connections across social networks like Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn that are not just collected and counted but leveraged and often engaged around questions or for advice.

6.  Productive – not obsessed with productivity per se but owns the concept and applies it every day focusing on outcomes and accomplishments versus activities.  Is always looking for tools and methods to improve an already productive daily pace.

7.  Off-line driven – an important dimension of the new workstyle is both a consciousness and focus on off-line, person-to-person interactions facilitated by on-line tools and forums.

8.  Balances work and personal lives –  knits both work priorities and commitments with personal pursuits throughout the day (and night) combining flexibility with increased overall productivity and contribution to both.

9.  Gives back – thinks beyond themselves to causes, community, or others less fortunate and uses their connections and resources to make significant contributions.

10.  Intellectually curious – constantly seeks out new and betters ways to work by experimenting with new tools, listening to others, and critically examining the things they do and why they do them.

See you next post,

James

James Evangelidis

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Tagged as: 10 characteristics, Gist, styles