It’s difficult to say whether or not “after work” really exists anymore. With smartphones, iPads, and the like, attaching us to our jobs 24/7, being able to switch from work person to non-work person isn’t so easy. You almost have to be a superhero to accomplish this type of feat.

But, being able to wind down after work is extremely important. It allows for a much needed separation that is essential in keeping you somewhat sane and reminding you that life isn’t all about work. So, keep these tips in mind when it comes time to say adios to your job for the day.

1. Recap your Work Day – Before you leave work for the day, it’s smart to do a nice re-cap of the day’s events. Go over what worked for you, what didn’t and what will need to be done tomorrow. This way you’re already mentally prepared for the following work day and you can walk away knowing this, freeing you up of any possible stressful night ahead. Leave work at work and enjoy the rest of your evening.
2. Turn Off Your Smartphone – I can hear all of you gasping right now. Yes, phones do come equipped with off switches and if you do turn your phone off you’ll still be able to turn it back on, trust me. It’s hard, I know, but you’ll be doing yourself (and your friends and family) a favor by detaching yourself from your work devices after hours. It’s okay to be “present” and not feel like you’re cheating on your work self.
3. Go Out -  For many of us, we barely see the light of day during work hours. Make up for it later by going out. Meet a friend for a drink or take the family out to eat or go see a good popcorn movie. Think about taking a class (cooking, karate, guitar, dancing) and truly enjoy yourself.
4. Exercise – Get your body moving and head to your local gym, go for a quick walk, play outside with your kids, clean your bathroom or get together with your sports buddies for a game of basketball, soccer or whatever sport you love to play. Whether a lot or a little, exercise is a great way to de-stress while maintaining an active, healthy lifestyle.
5. Relax – Everyone has their own way of relaxing. For some it’s reading a book, others prefer listening to music, playing a video game (I’m addicted to Words with Friends) or catching up with their favorite shows on the DVR. Whatever your “getaway” is, find a way to do it. It will do wonders for you.

Being in work mode all the time doesn’t really make you a better worker. Allowing yourself some you time actually benefits both your personal and your work life. So, say goodbye to the excuses and have some fun.

Plaxo is excited to announce a new FREE feature that allows you to restore your entire address book back to the time/date you choose or “rollback” an individual contact to an earlier version.  Now, you can “rollback” your address book and have more control–allowing a contact’s information to be undone with a single click.

Try this new feature today.  Log in, select a contact and click “View Changes” on the right side of your contact’s information (see the screenshot above).  You will then see a list of historical versions of your contact’s information.  Select an older version and click “Restore.”  That’s it!  Quick and easy.

P.S. You will always have the Backup and Recovery option for your address book in case your computer crashes, you lose your phone, or some other disaster strikes.  If you’re not a Plaxo customer, sign up today.  Better to be safe than sorry!

This past week there’s been quite a media frenzy over the use of address books by iOS apps (Path, Twitter, and many others). The news hinges on one thing: are customers aware of how apps are using their personal info and can they control that usage.

While the Path example led the news cycle, there’s a long list of apps that leverage the phone’s contact list as a means of assisting the user in sending “friend requests” without explicitly asking the user’s permission to do so. When pushed by the press, the excuse from app developers is along the lines of “well, everybody’s doing it, so we did too, and now that you caught us we’ll do better.”

I believe that ultimately Apple is the one that should control how app’s access this personal info as they already do for geo-location with an opt-in. I read Apple’s announcement yesterday as acknowledging that they now agree and will over time implement a similar approach for controlling access to the address book. Given the practices we’ve seen app’s employ, I believe Apple’s revised stance is good news for the industry which unfortunately has not done a good job self-policing.

As for Plaxo, we’ve always made it clear in our iOS apps how we’re using personal info. For example, before we sync your local phone’s address book with your Plaxo account in the cloud we ask for the user’s permission. I think this is a great example of how despite the operating system not requiring explicit opt-in we went ahead and asked for it anyway.

I was pleased to see the Business Journal pick up on Plaxo’s example as a company that didn’t just go with the flow and that is clearly on the side of user control over their own personal information.  Finally, we’ve posted our data usage practices to be transparent to our users.

In my previous post I talked about how learning to love what you do, when it comes to your job, can be a beautiful and rewarding thing. It may not always be easy but what you get in return is priceless.

Exhibiting passion and a “can do” attitude in the workplace does wonders for not only you and your company, but for your clients, too. How many times have you experienced working with someone who has no love for what they do? Like the receptionist at your doctor’s office who never smiles, barely looks at you and makes you feel like you’re wasting his/her time. It’s a very unpleasant experience, isn’t it? It doesn’t take a genius to see that they don’t love their job. They don’t want you there and they don’t want to be there, either.

Now, imagine how your business partners and clients would feel if you showed that same type of attitude about your work. A negative attitude makes just as much noise as a positive attitude and trust me when I say people can hear you loud and clear. If you don’t enjoy what you do, then don’t expect those you do business with to enjoy it either.

Having a genuine love for your job says a lot about you as a person. That love resonates in everything you do and people are naturally attracted to that. So, extend that love. Here’s how:

1. Get personal – You know those commercials where the person says their (financial advisor, realtor, insurance rep, etc.) really knows and cares about them? Believe it or not, that does really happen and both parties benefit greatly from it.
2. Talk about it – There is absolutely nothing wrong with telling someone why you love your job so much. Showing that kind of passion is exciting and novel in today’s work world. Your customers will know they picked the right person.
3. Extend yourself – Hey, you love your job, right? So, it’s no surprise that you make yourself available to associates and clients when needed. It feels good to know that someone like you is there to help out where you can.
4. Be you – People like you for who you are. You may not always have a good day, but being honest about it instead of faking your way through maintains that important level of trust.
5. Stay open to the possibilities – Like life, your career may have several twists and turns. Remaining positive and open to change will only benefit you and your clients in the long run.

Don’t be afraid to shower your customers and associates with love. You’d be surprised at how much love you get back in return.

“Do what you love.” It’s a concise, simple and easy to understand phrase that tends to throw us into tiny fits of tantrum and can make us question our whole existence. Because, as simplistic as that mantra is, it’s quite difficult to master.

We equate this phrase with what we do for a living. And, if we all did what we love, we would all be artists, musicians, writers, chefs, sports heroes, designers, and you get what I’m talking about. The reality is, we cannot all possibly do what we love and get paid for it. So, instead of harping on trying to find that perfect job, hoping the next one is “it” and getting down on ourselves for not being (insert your dream profession here), learn how to love what you do.

It may not be so easy at first, introducing this new line of thinking to your present work situation. But, with a little practice and a few easy to remember tips, you’ll find that loving what you do can become the norm.

Look for inspiration for you and in what you do
Huh? What I mean is find what inspires you. It could be the meal you ate last night, the new music you just downloaded or a book you recently read. Whatever that thing is that kicks you into gear. Then, apply that same inspiration in what you do. You never know. You could inspire someone in turn.

Don’t worry about what everyone else thinks
Your inner circle of friends and family will always question your choice of career (temporary or permanent). It’s only natural that their curious questioning makes you question yourself. But, remember, that’s their problem, not yours. Loving what you do makes you a better you.

Don’t set unrealistic goals
A lot of us become despondent when we set high goals for ourselves and then don’t meet them. It makes us feel horrible and whatever love we did have for our job begins to slowly fade. Set goals that are reasonable and celebrate your achievements once you surpass them.

Embrace instead of settle
Okay, so maybe you’re not working your dream job. It doesn’t mean that you’re settling for the one you currently have. Telling yourself that you settled is instilling failure. Instead, why not embrace your current job situation? Become the best at whatever it is that you do and take pride in that.

Look, we spend a lot of time at our jobs. We can either spin negativity all day or love what we do. I put my money on love.

Let’s face it. You’re busy. Thankfully, technology has caught up with your hectic lifestyle and has given you the gift of apps. Some of which were specifically designed to keep up with your active days (and nights) and make it a breeze to do so.

Citrix GoToMeeting – You can now host your own online meetings with one click. The GoToMeeting app makes it super easy to get everyone together without the hassle of travel. Meetings can be schedule ahead of time or at a moment’s notice. All meetings are recorded for your record and afterwards can be posted for viewing on your company website or any third-party video host. Note: one disadvantage is a 500 attendee limitation.

Join.me – Need to share your screen quickly with a few people? That’s a cinch. Download the join.me app, give them a 9-digit code and they can view your desktop, laptop, etc.  No more emailing Webex or Go-To-Meeting invites to multiple people ahead of time.  On the fly meetings that can be quick, easy and convenient.

AroundMe – Think of this genius app like your neighborhood know-it-all. It knows the nearest gas station, the closest bank, the coffee shop around the corner, the print shop down the street. Basically, AroundMe is in tune with every business around you, according to category and distance. No more freaking out about where to get your caffeine fix or your car fixed in an area you’re unfamiliar with. Love it.

Mint – See all of your dollars in one place with the Mint app. Anything that’s money related (bank account, savings, retirement, etc.) is automatically pulled together and stored in one spot. Mint allows you to see and keep track of all your financials together, instead of having all of that important information scattered. You can also set financial goals and budgets with Mint to keep you on track.

Evernote – Using Evernote is like having a twin brain that remembers all the cool stuff you saw that day or things you said you’d do that your other brain already forgot about. Saw a recipe in a mag? Just take a photo and it’s stored. Met your favorite author? Take notes of the glorious day and the memory is saved. Plus, Evernote syncs with all of your computers, so your information is stored and available on all of your devices. You’ll wonder how you ever made it through your day without it.

Plaxo – Your contacts are your life. Whether personal or professional, having your contacts with you is a no-brainer. Plaxo mobile apps are a must for maintaining your valuable contacts with the comfort of knowing your list is updated and ready to go. Sync your contacts or share your contact card with colleagues, friends and family so they always have the most up-to-date info. Stop fumbling around and connect with Plaxo.

There never seems to be enough time. Sound familiar? With today’s hectic work and personal schedules, time is the one thing we can’t grasp. We have it, and just like that it’s gone. And, with it goes our “things I wanted to do today but didn’t get around to” list that can tend to keep us up at night.

Well, being the new year and all, I say we make a resolution to get a better grip on time. Take control of it as a way to better manage our lives and keep us sane. Because, isn’t a stress-free you a more productive you?

Make a Schedule and Stick To It
For those who consider themselves schedule-intolerant, understood, and more power to you. For the rest of us who feel like we’re being pulled in every opposite direction known, there’s hope. Now, I know saying to make a schedule can be considered a “duh” statement. But, you’d be surprised by how many of us make a schedule only to completely ignore it. Your schedule is important. It confirms just how precious your time is and what you should do with it.

Prioritize, Prioritize, Prioritize
There are a dozen and one goals to be met, so priority is key when managing your time. Start out the day by prioritizing everything that needs to be done that day. You might even try scheduling each ‘to do’ into actual half-hour time slots for that given day. The more concrete you can be (with how and when you are going to meet your daily goals), the better. Recognize high priority, show stoppers first, of course. Keep in mind that what could be of the utmost importance to you at one point during the day may not be so important as the day moves on. Priorities change but it’s best to always having a starting point.

Organize Your Space
Chances are if your space/work area is disorganized, so are you. If your files, contact information, paperwork, and the like, have taken root on your desk, you’re going to spend more time looking for them. And, if you spend most of your little time looking for things, like paperwork and phone numbers, then you’ll have no time to actually accomplish anything. Maintain your space and utilize tools, such as Plaxo, to keep you better organized.

Get Help
Sometimes, there are so many things going on, we just need a little help to meet our goals. Don’t shy away from hiring an assistant or intern, especially if you’re the disorganized type as mentioned above. A little help can go a long way when it comes to keeping on track. Plus, delegating work frees you up physically, mentally and sometimes emotionally.

Now, sit back and take a second to breathe.

The always incredible Consumer Electronics Show (CES) recently wrapped in Las Vegas. Every year we are shown the future of electronics. And, every year we are amazed by what is on display for us Earthlings. A “show” that features over 2700 exhibitors makes it difficult to shine a light on a small few. But, being that we can’t possibly talk about every single piece of awesomeness at this year’s CES, we’ll mention a few standouts:

LG 55EM9600 OLED TV
If you’ve never heard of OLED screens (organic light emitting diode), not to worry, because this is the year you realize that you can’t live without an OLED TV. The fine folks at LG introduced their first 55-inch OLED TV at CES  and with its ultra-thin panel, exceptional color, blazing speed and utter largeness, it really doesn’t get any better than this. Watching a movie at home – 1. Watching a movie at the theatre – 0.

Nokia Lumia 900
With its impressive screen size and fast connection, this Windows Phone looks to be one to compete with. The phone’s sharp lines and colors really stand out and with its stylish design, you won’t feel like you’re one step behind everyone else in the smartphone coolness factor.

Razer Project Fiona
For all the gamers out there, you must check out Fiona, the first true Windows 8 gaming tablet. Just viewing this spectacular device makes you feel like you’ve stumbled upon a secret, futuristic society where everything is run from this screen. Although the concept tablet was rolled out at CES, Razer does intend to release its final version to the masses this fall. (Priced below $1,000.)

Sony Tablet P
Would it be wrong to call a tablet sexy and adorable? Then call us wrong because that’s exactly what the Sony Tablet P is. With its dual 5.5-inch touchscreens, the foldable device is small enough to fit in your pocket, yet stylish enough that you won’t want to. The 4-G wonder runs on Google’s Android operating system and is Playstation Certified. Sexy and adorable, just like we said.

Intel Nikiski See-Through Notebook
Wouldn’t it be great to see what time your next meeting is without having to open up your laptop? With Nikiski, now you can! With a see-through glass touchpad that turns into a touchscreen when you close it, all of your information is still at your fingertips. You can easily check your email, view your calendar and tune in to your social network feeds without flipping it open. Pretty sweet.

Photo image courtesy of Mashable.

It’s a new year and a very exciting time at Plaxo. As we ready ourselves for 2012 (our 10 year anniversary, by the way), we wanted to share with you a few goals we were able to achieve in 2011. We focused our energy on making our product better which we hope made a difference for customers like you.

1. Improved our New User’s Experience – After running countless tests to see how to better improve our signup and onboarding process for new users, we’ve identified what works best. Now, our new customers can signup in just a few steps and get started using the most important features.
2. Introduced Plaxo Personal Assistant – With this launch, we aimed at providing a smart new way for people to keep their address book up-to-date. It was a massive technical challenge (think billions of contacts), yet when it was all said and done, we were able to release a helpful service to help our customers keep their address book updated with publicly available info for their contacts.
3. Went big with Mobile App - We hit the mobile app ground running last year  and tripled our mobile development team to build strength on the Android and iOS platforms. We successfully released our new apps each boasting four-star ratings, and logged over 135,000 mobile app downloads in 2011.
4. Got In Touch with Social Media – We made a social media name for ourselves, to say the least. Plaxo expanded its Facebook fans from 1,000 to 23,000 in one year. Twitter followers jumped from 500 to 5,000. We also established a YouTube channel which has seen 70,000 video views to date.
5. Teamed Up with Avery - Plaxo is all about making our customers’ lives easier. That’s why we partnered with Avery Dennison to help you create easy to use address labels, great for holiday cards, invitations, thank you cards, nametags, etc. Just click, print, mail and you’re done!
   
6. Listened to our Customers More – One of the main reasons we’ve focused on our core address book service was in listening to customers like you. We also created the Get Satisfaction forum to provide a place where our customers could go to for sharing ideas, questions, issues and whatever else is on their minds. Finally we do continue to listen to your emails, phone calls, and social media posts.