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There’s a new most-used app on my iPhone. Upon first inspection it seems to be a simple note-taking app. But underneath the hood it’s the equivalent of a hybrid electric car getting over 200 miles per gallon. I came across Drafts for iOS thanks to David Sparks of MacSparky. I’ve mentioned the app before, but I thought I’d share more in-depth about how I’ve come to use and love it and how it’s made it’s way into the illustrious iPhone dock. First, here’s a sampling of what I use it for. I’ll get into the specifics a bit further down: Writing reminders for myself Taking down notes and quotes from (library) books I’m reading Writing tweets and sending them to Buffer Sending emails to myself Sending a text to Niki (or a saved group) Copying down people’s contact information Saving my workout plans Adding new notes to Evernote Adding to my reading list Adding to my wish list Creating calendar events Saving documents to Dropbox Writing short notes in Markdown Searching my blog Looking for products on Amazon Finding a saved password in 1Password Jotting down a quick idea and saving it to my ideas list In just the list above, it takes the place of using at least 11 different apps. And that’s just scratching the surface. Here’s why Drafts is awesome. ...

A life well lived can be summed up in one sentence. Abraham Lincoln isn’t known for all of his failures (often grossly exaggerated but present nonetheless)–his failed businesses, battling depression and unsuccessful attempts at a few other political offices. He’s known for abolishing slavery and reuniting the United States of America. One sentence about a man who changed the world. His decisions were unpopular with a hefty chunk of his constituents, but we look back on him as one of the greatest presidents (and men) our country has ever been graced with. Bill Gates decided to change his sentence from one about putting a computer on the desk of everyone in America to one about charity and being a voice for generosity. He used his skills and his platform to pursue what he deemed was a more important goal. He decided to rewrite his sentence. There’s a long list of people living with unrelenting, singularly-focused visions for their lives and their hopes for others. ...

Mediocrity is the new “world changing”. Not everyone has the gusto to strive for this type of life, but for those who have the courage to not make a difference here’s how to get started. Get into debt Don’t have enough cash to buy what you want right now? No problem! Max out your credit cards (the reward points make it worth it), take out fat student loans so you can spring break with your friends, and once you graduate and get a big-girl job making more than you ever have in your life, buy a house with nothing down and snag a car on lease (so you can turn it in and get a newer model in a couple of years). Budgeting is for people who are dumb. Just keep a mental tab of how much is coming in and going out and loosely track the figures. If you end up maxing a card out, just do a balance transfer. Easy peezy! Be stingy Even though you’re making a nice income, don’t even think about giving that money away. You’re not making that much. Besides, you have the rest of your life to give money away (and that’s what wills are for anyway). Stay comfortable Get as much house, as much car, and as much stuff as you can. Don’t make sacrifices for anyone. You’ve worked hard to get where you are. Your wife says she wants to go to counseling? Ain’t nobody got time for that! That sounds uncomfortable. If she doesn’t like you the way you are, send her packing. Wives, same advice applies to you. Tell him to hit the road if he’s not giving you or getting you what you want, especially if your house is too small and he doesn’t appreciate all you do. ...

I don’t have an uncanny memory. I try hard to remember names because it communicates love and respect so tangibly, but otherwise I can barely remember what day of the week it is. At the same time, I don’t think I missed a single assignment in high school or college (mostly because I’m a nerd) and I always finish my work when I say I will. How does that all happen? First and foremost, by not relying on my brain and these other seven secrets. 1. Don’t trust yourself. I don’t have an unlimited memory capacity. So the first step to remembering everything is acknowledging that I can’t remember it on my own. I need to have a system and I need to actually use that system to make sure everything gets done. ...

It’s no secret I’m a fan of online shopping. I enjoy the privilege of actually holding, testing and seeing the products I’m purchasing, and I can’t get that online. But what’s normally lacking in a traditional store is the wealth of knowledge from experienced buyers. In other words, I live for reviews. I’m not an impulsive buyer. I read dozens of reviews on Amazon before trying something (and I always start with the most negative review rated most helpful). Here are the circumstances when I have to read reviews. If… I haven’t used a product before the item hasn’t come highly recommended from a friend or respectable acquaintance (i.e. Twitter) it is fairly expensive purchase ($50+) there is a cornucopia of options (e.g. iPad Bluetooth keyboards) I haven’t heard of it from another source before (in the case of books or movies) I’m in a new city looking for local food Here are the two situations when I don’t read reviews: I want it right that second (e.g. food, candy bars) It is a cheap consumer staple (e.g. toilet paper; but now that I think about it, I’m going to check into some reviews) So the short list of non-review situations is pretty pathetic. I’m a review-o-holic. I normally share the love in return via Twitter or this blog, because I’m an evangelist in every sense of the word for things worth talking about. All of this to say, I know it’s an issue. ...

I’m not a weekend warrior, but I’ve traveled on some of the longest flights in the world, and I’ve experienced enough conveyer belt shuffles at the end of a TSA check to give anyone a heart attack. This is my definitive guide to air travel, from booking to packing to flying: my whole process and all my recommendations for rocking your next flight. Whether it’s a one-hour puddle jump or a 16-hour international hullabaloo, you’ll be ready to travel like a pro. ...

Last week I attended a simulcast of the Global Leadership Summit. Here is practically a complete transcript of the event provided by Ben Patterson. My jaw hurts from all of the leadership information I’ve been chewing on. As I was midway through the two-day conference, I thought to myself, “Why is that people go crazy for conferences? Why do people pay hundreds (or thousands) of dollars, travel long distances and take off work to hear a few speakers who all likely have TED talks you could watch online?” Here’s what I came up with. ...

I naturally enjoy verbal sparring and debates. It’s a part of being a Myers-Briggs ENTP. My wife recently explained to me that not everyone enjoys this as much as I do. There are, however, a few things I absolutely refuse to even discuss. Discussion, for me, nearly always reaches the zone of argumentation and losing friends and/or limbs (I’m working on it). The following topics are utterly pointless. I’m not saying these things don’t matter, but I am saying they don’t matter enough for me to get into it with someone about them. I define “getting into it” in these situations as a simple disagreement that extends beyond two exchanges. If you want to beat me in an argument, just bring up these topics and I’ll instantly fold. I’m trying to keep friendships from ending, and that’s why I give up. I’d love to hear in the comments the arguments you need to stop having. ...

I’m always looking for the next best thing in terms of efficiency and effectiveness. The next best product, the next best app, the next best whatever that will make what I already do easier, faster, more effective. In the process, I’ve spent my fair share of digital cash on apps and software. A lot of my friends and family proudly tell me they never pay for apps. They own $600 unsubsidized smartphones and likely pay $75+ a month for them, but paying a buck or two for an app–come on! They aren’t billionaires. God bless irony. Sticking with free apps is absolutely their prerogative (and there are lots of good ones out there), but here’s a few reason why I regularly pay for apps. ...

The Dollar Shave Club commercial intrigued many. [Warning: some strong language bleeped out and one unbleeped dirty word]. It’s hilarious. Ridiculous. Completely over the top and worth talking about. As Seth Godin would say, it’s remarkable. I was tired of paying over $3 per cartridge (and many times closer to $4) for a 5-blade Gillette Fusion razor. It’s expensive because they market the Fusion as if it is the only solution to caveman-like beards. Guys, it’s not! It’s not the only way! Enter our friends from Dollar Shave Club. Their marketing alone sold me on the worthiness of trying it, at least for a month. This is a comprehensive Dollar Shave Club review in every sense of the word, so grab tightly to your can of shaving solution and get ready to nix your neck hair. (Here’s a quick synopsis of my Dollar Shave Club review: it rocks. Their blades rock, their service rocks, and I’m a believer. If you want to buy your next razor from them right now, here’s an affiliate link that gets me a month of free razors and will help keep my blog afloat as a nice little razor subsidy for me. If you want the full analysis, read on. Also, there’s a hefty amount of comparisons between the DSC razor and the Gillette Fusion because everybody and their mother has the Fusion. It was also my last brand-named, overpriced razor.) The Dollar Shave Club Blade Options ...