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Melissa Karnaze

Melissa Karnaze is an experimental psychology masters student. She's interested in how we can use technology with greater mindfulness, writes about emotional productivity at Mindful Construct, and loves how the web is changing the world.

How to Avoid Computer Eye Strain and Keep Your Eyes Healthy

<img src="http://productivegeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2741956047_752f4b49f6_b-Copy.jpg" alt="" width="650" height="169" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1964" />Does eyestrain keep you from doing your work on the computer? Take preventative measures to avoid eyestrain—and get your work done. Organize a functional workspace, modulate light exposure, and keep your eyes healthy overall.
Melissa Karnaze

Create Tighter Outlines in Word By Using Only Tabs

<img src="http://productivegeek.com/public/thumbnails/sshot-2010-10-15-1-06-05-57.jpg" />Effective outlines are well-organized with enough space to go in detail. Unfortunately, Word's default outline format inserts too much extra space and the auto-formatting prevents you from controlling the final product. To create tighter outlines in Word, all you need is the tab button.
Melissa Karnaze

Wean Yourself from Compulsive Email Checking with Positive Reward

<img src="http://productivegeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/sshot-2-1024x393.png" alt="" width="650" height="250" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-1994" />Do you check your email more often than you need to? Do you experience withdrawal symptoms when if you haven't checked your email in a while? Compulsive email checking is an unhealthy habit that keeps you from doing more important things. Use positive reward to establish a healthier relationship to your inbox.
Melissa Karnaze

How to Email Your Professor and Get a Quick Response

<img src="http://productivegeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/sshot-4-1024x370.png" alt="" width="650" height="235" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-2003" />Professors are some of busiest people around. They have to lecture, hold office hours, work with graduate students and colleagues, attend conferences and other public events, and conduct, publish and present research. But even though they're short on time, there are ways to communicate with them via email and get a timely response so you can continue doing your work with fewer setbacks.
Melissa Karnaze

Three Potentially Risky Ways to Save a Lot on Textbooks

<img src="http://productivegeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/4915470780_32e1734299_b-Copy.jpg" alt="" width="650" height="163" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1942" />You can always save money on textbooks by buying online, going ebook, or renting what you need. But there are riskier ways to save a buck that just may yield even greater payoff, such as getting the international or earlier edition of the text, or avoid the purchase altogether.
Melissa Karnaze

Optimize Your Computer Screen Real Estate

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1268" src="http://productivegeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Desktop-real-esate.jpg" alt="" width="650" height="149" />You look at your computer screen everyday. By habit, you use the space in ways that get the job done. But you can do an even better job if you optimize your workspace.
Melissa Karnaze

Cut Back on Time Spent Sending and Receiving Email

<img src="http://productivegeek.com/public/thumbnails/sshot-2010-08-10-1-03-36-18.jpg" />Email can make communication easier, but it can also drain your time. Learn how to process incoming email and write outgoing email in order to save time.
Melissa Karnaze

Web Surf with Purpose to Avoid Productivity Wipeout

Anytime you work online, you risk productivity wipeout. With a world at your fingertips it's hard to stop from clicking on links (upon links, upon links). Avoid throwing away your precious time by making every click of the mouse a purposeful one.
Melissa Karnaze

The Simple Envelope System for Keeping Financial Records

<img src="http://productivegeek.com/public/thumbnails/sshot-2010-08-03-1-15-42-57.jpg" />Don't fret about not having the time to tediously enter all your financial transactions into a complicated spreadsheet or program. The envelope system for keeping financial records is low-maintenance, cost-effective, and easy to implement in little time.
Melissa Karnaze

Set Up Your Google Homepage as a Feed Reader

<img src="http://productivegeek.com/public/thumbnails/sshot-2010-07-30-1-03-42-47.jpg" />Do you want to use your Google homepage as a feed reader? It's easy to set up, customizable, and more visually appealing than boring RSS columns.
Melissa Karnaze

How to Turn a Rant Into a Productivity Power Tool

<img src="http://productivegeek.com/public/thumbnails/sshot-2010-07-21-1-05-45-30.jpg" />Ranting doesn't have to be a waste of breathe and time. You can turn a rant into a powerful tool for productivity. Learn how to transform your sense of victim hood and irritability to self-empowerment and mental clarity.
Melissa Karnaze