Outsourcing is a way of fulfilling your needs with services created by someone else somewhere out there ;). Although we have a good access to many outsourced services ranging from house cleaning to on-line files hosting, many people still isn’t using them as they should be. Sometimes people just don’t recognise that outsourcing is a way to simplify your life, and therefore, find your inner peace so important in the world today. Behold, as I’m going to present you some personal experiences :).

The personal story

Remember The Tassadar Archive? Or then the Archive Forum? The Psions Directory, then ASoM Board, then Open Cafe and The Vortex. For most of my fresh readers these names are totally “alienated”, but know that those were all my projects (except The Psions Directory, which was the project of Karen, I was just a developer). When I had learned PHP, I started to code websites from scratches, but it was slow and became boring with time, so I decided to outsource a little, and I started using WordPress, it was the time when A State of Mind was born. After many months, when Open Cafe has been created, I started developing plugins for bbPress. Finally with time I was so busy with studies and work that I was forced to change something, so I closed everything except A State of Mind. Still, it wasn’t enough.

These days I’m overwhelmed with task: I’m working as freelance designer, writing few ebooks, running two blogs, and working for third website, building financial background for my studies, and I still have time to develop my mind. And there are two more websites on the way, along with an Linux application. And I’m able to deal with all of this. Besides the fact I’m a sociopath and I prefer being and working alone, so I’m not wasting my time on parties and off-line socializing, and that I’m setting my priorities well (what is most important right now, and what can be done later, or don’t have to be done at all), I’m also outsouring a lot.

I’m the source ;)

I’m using BaseCamp to manage my websites, so I don’t have to worry about setting my own management system on my own serwers, very simple indeed (homework for you: what do you think, why Basecamp have so minimalistic layout, hmm? Post your answer in comments), so me and my editors know what has to be done, and what had been done already. I’m using Google Notebook to manage drafts and TODO lists of all sorts, and to store my ideas. I’m using WordPress.com to run my private personal journal, another simplifying element. I’m using Dropbox to synchronize my files and store backups on-line, it’s so automatic you can just set it and forget about it. Not mentioning of using Wikidot.com to run Wiki sites to store informations and a lot of, um… research (it’s there when I’m running my temporary books Index before I will code an application for KDE). And all of those are just few on-line services I’m using.

I could talk a lot about on-line budget managers, file hostings, and different productivity tool, but the point remains the same. The technology is not meant to take away your soul, but to give back your soul, by giving you more time you can spend on personal development. Therefore, instead of wasting time on social media sites (I’m talking about exploring thousands of photos without any purpose to do so), you should learn how to use technology to simplify your life. Use a wiki to manage your chaotic notes, find an app helping you manage your TODO list, use on-line or off-line applications to run your home budget, and more! Explore FeedMyApp to find new useful services.

The very same apply to running your own website or forum or blog. Use scripts like Joomla or WordPress, or phpBB, or use services like WordPress.com or Proboards. The general rule is: the simpler the better. No need to reinvent the wheel :). As for house cleaning and other off-line activities, I’m sure you can find a ways to outsource and simplify everything. Of course, sometimes it’s impossible to oursource, I’m not telling you to run your company’ website on Webs.com :P. What I’m saying is that as long as you don’t have to use your own resources, you should outsource as much as you can, and as much as it will make things simpler. The less you have to worry about technical or management details, the better for the peace of your mind. Et voila!

And you?

Are you using any of the services mentioned above? Are you outsourcing at all? Or maybe you have methods to manage a lot of things on your own? Share your experiences in comments.

Don't forget to follow A State of Mind on Twitter and get new posts via RSS or via email.