5 Steps to Export Your Google Reader Data

You've heard the news. Google Reader will officially say "So, long" Monday. If you are a procrastinator like I am, you probably haven't taken any action on your Reader account. But now is the time! You don't want to lose your info!

Today's "How To" shows how to export your Google Reader data. This is a great option to have on hand if you don't know what program you want to use quite yet but want to make sure not to lose feeds. (If you DO know what program you'll use, you'll likely have the option to switch the data directly, i.e. go to the program site and see if there's an obvious "Import from Reader" option. I just don't know if that option will be available after July 1.) I'll go over basic steps for some programs tomorrow

OK, here goes:

If you don't know what program you want to use as a replacement for Google Reader:

Step 1: Sign into Reader and click the gear icon in the top right corner. Then click Reader settings.  (Gear icon = )

Step 2: In settings, click the "Import/Export" tab.

Step 3: Under "Export your information," click on the "Download your data through Takeout" link. (You can also go to https://www.google.com/takeout/#custom:reader directly.) Remember, you will have to enter your Google password again. 

Step 4: Once Takeout shows 100 percent, click the "Create Archive" button.

FYI Step: Takeout also provides these services for any Google product. Just click "Choose services" and select what information you'd like to export. 

Step 5: Takeout will prepare your data for download, and you'll see a screen like the one below. Click "Download" (and know where'll you save your file). You now have this data to upload later if needed.

So long, Google Reader

I feel as though I am losing a close friend. Pretty much every person in the blogging world knows that Google Reader will no longer be available after July 1, 2013—which means come Monday morning, my go-to source for following blogs and news feeds will be gone. Gone. Gone. Gone.

Aw, now I'm getting all nostalgic. Anyone remember the post I wrote in 2009 (WHAT??) about using Google Reader and setting up your subscriptions? Good times.

When Google made the announcement of Reader's demise back in March, I quickly started researching what I'd use as a replacement for Google Reader.

Admittedly, I didn't get very far and have been operating these last several months in complete denial. Until that lovely popup showed again last week.
Here are some articles I've skimmed: 8 Google Reader Alternatives, Google Reader Alternatives: What's the Best Replacement, Google Reader is going away, but here are some options to replace it, the ReplaceReader.com poll for favorite programs, 6 Feed Readers to Replace the Google Reader Void, and Turns Out Google's Reader Replacement is Pretty Much Useless.

Some of the most popular suggestions are Feedly, The Old Reader, NewsBlur, Bloglines, Pulse, Digg, My Yahoo, and, the program getting the most hype for the bloggers: Bloglovin.

I've already imported my data to Bloglovin but actually loved what I saw on Bloglines and will be looking into that program a bit more.

Come back Saturday morning for some last minute tips to transfer your Google Reader info to the new program of your choice. Next week I'll also explore some of the features of Bloglovin and probably Bloglines.

Sometimes Google is deceiving

Tuesday morning I woke to a cricket chirping as the sun began to shine in through the window.

This scene almost seems like a fantastic way to start the morning...right?

Well, that chirping very quickly became distracting and unsettling. Why do I hear a cricket in my apartment?

I needed to get up anyways, and as I walked from my bedroom through the kitchen and living room, I tried to get an idea of where this chirping was coming from. I didn't actually KNOW the sound was a cricket, but it was my best guess. I quickly decided that the sound seemed to be the loudest by my refrigerator. But the sound would start and stop, and since I needed to head out to teach a Zumba class, I ate breakfast and left with the decision to just see if the sound continued later on.

That afternoon I studied for my AFAA certification test in my apartment and unsurprisingly didn't notice the lack of chirping. Until it started again that evening. At this point I investigated my refrigerator area once again...but was the sound coming from the appliance or some insect in my apartment?

Like any technology-loving individual, I turned to Google, the all-knowing source that has the answer to any question. After searching a couple phrases related to crickets, chirping, and refrigerators, I found that chirping is actually a common sound for fridges to make when fan motors go out. Hmm ok. That's probably a bit more likely that my having a cricket in the apartment...a sneaky one that stops making noise when I open the fridge door or nudge the appliance.

I decided to call my landlord the next day to have her check out the fridge. But the chirping continues. And continues. And continues. I finally decide to completely move the fridge away from the wall. 

Guess what I found?

A cricket.

Yes, a cricket. I quickly got rid of the creature and then googled my search terms again because I was baffled at how common a chirping refrigerator seemed to be.

Wordy Wednesday: Do You Correct a Coworkers' Grammar?

Last night I had a moment before my evening Zumba class to flip through the March 2013 issue of the Ladies Home Journal that was in the Provo Recreation Center's community area.

The "You Are the Answer Lady" section caught my eye, and I found a question about grammar and writing in the workplace. Whup! That's right up my alley.

Here's the question: "Some of my coworkers' emails are full of poor grammar, misspellings and cheesy emoticons. I'm worried it will affect our client's perception of my company, but I'm not their boss so I feel like I can't say anything. Should I?"

I think this is a great question, and it brings up a touchy subject. As much as I personally value formal and proper workplace writing, I don't want to be (and am not) one of those red-pen editors that we all somewhat despise. (I'm right, right?)

If I were to respond to this person, I think I'd advise her to not correct the coworkers directly (that could seem like a personal attack), but instead mention the general concern (try not to target anyone) to a supervisor and suggest a training. My answer is similar to the first one printed in the article.

In my own workplace experience, I've had several coworkers recognize that I have the writing and editing experience that they lack. They actually reach out to me and ask me to proofread and edit emails and other materials—big, small, and insignificant—before they finish. I'm happy to help and will always explain why I made certain changes. This is a great situation because I get to help and train others without creating potentially uncomfortable situations.

Question: What are your thoughts? What would you do?

Daily Goals

Goals. Goals. Goals. These have been on my mind a lot as I completely revaluate how I spend my time and where my priorities are. Goals—big, small, and everywhere in between—are going to play a big role in my life as I work on building something for myself from scratch.

Yesterday, I set two goals for myself in the morning. These were simple tasks that I wanted, and needed, to complete to move on to some further steps.

Working on these two simple goals helped me stay focused on what I needed to do and why I needed to work on them NOW. I was able to free myself from the tendency to jump from one thing to another and get overwhelmed when I didn't seem to make any progress.

Guess what? I didn't quite complete those task. But I did everything I could on one (and now it's just a waiting game until I can move forward). And I made massive progress on the other. In fact, I kept working on it until late in the evening because I wanted to accomplish as much on it as I could.

I'm planning to put the last finishing touches on it this morning before I teach my first Zumba class at 9:30. (Today is a triple Zumba day with regular at 9:30 am, kids at noon, and toning at 6 p.m.)

Oh, another thing I have to remember is to-do lists are not goals!

Question: What goal-oriented techniques do you incorporate in your daily life? Do you use any apps or programs to help?

Motivation Monday: Stop Talking, Begin Doing

Just another manic Monday, wish it were Sunday. 

It seems that no one really likes Mondays. Usually Monday means the masses all sludge back to work, stop playing, and head back to their scheduled weekday obligations. 

I no longer fit that mold. Here it is Monday morning. I'm not at the office. I'm not in a classroom. But I am taking the advice from Walt Disney to "begin doing." 

"The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing." - Walt Disney

I definitely fall into the pattern of talking. talking. talking. I want to have things planned, be in control, and simply know what I'm doing. However, sometimes I talk too much, and I simply need to start DOING and let things work out however they may. 

I'm excited about the opportunity I've created for myself. Really the sky is the limit and I'm able to pursue some things I've been talking about for a long time, some things that I truly am passionate about. 

Here's to many more passionate and motivating Mondays! 

More importantly, here's to doing! 

Question: What's something you've talked about but need to actually do? What's holding you back?