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Year: 2013

A short guide to ‘defragging’

“Defragging” is a process that takes data that has been fragmented into different storage units on your computer and reorganizes them in a more sensible way so your computer will run faster. With today’s computers, though, you don’t need to do this very often, says Lifehacker Editor-in-Chief Whitson Gordon.

Know when your answers have crossed the finish line

Q: “One of my co-workers, ‘Bethany,’ has stopped talking to me. This happened after she asked about my relationship with another co-worker, ‘Ray.’ Bethany said, ‘You and Ray were bitter enemies, but now you’re best friends. What’s the story?’ I replied, ’Ray and I are now getting along fine because we’ve agreed to just focus on our work. That is all you need to know about this.’ Ever since that conversation, Bethany refuses to join me for lunch and even ducks into an office if she sees me coming. Whenever I ask what’s wrong, she says ‘Nothing.’ What should I do?”  Private Person

Power of practice

Practicing tasks and skills isn’t commonplace in most workplaces, but it should be, says Doug Lemov, a managing director of Uncommon Schools. He recommends four steps.

Schedule time to stay in their consciousness

Groom and maintain contacts by making them aware of a helpful article or pointing them toward a new business book, software program or other tool. A once-a-month “Hello, check this out” exercise like this one keeps lines of communication open and keeps you at the front of their mind.