If you don’t listen to the podcast “Note to Self,” I would encourage you to do so. Last year I wrote a post on one of Manoush’s (the host) podcasts and she has some wonderful bits on the tech side of being human.

Recently I listened to an episode about how to use algorithms to make your life easier (or at least less stressful). The goal of an algorithm is to use the computer’s processor (or your brain) the least amount of time. I won’t delve too deep into the algorithms, but if you want more information (or at least the underlying reason), you can check the podcast out here.

1. Don’t clean up your desk – This is the Temporal Locality algorithm. That stack of papers is in reverse chronological order and the paper you most likely will need next is the paper you just touched. That “messy” stack of papers is actually in reverse chronological order, and therefore, the most optimal order.
2. Don’t waste your time sorting e-mails. – This is the Search/Sort Trade-off algorithm. You can probably use the search feature faster than it takes to spend the time sorting and tagging emails.
3. Don’t fret over being forgetful – This is the Cache Miss algorithm. The bigger your database, the slower that database will be, and the harder it is to find information.

These are just three… there are more, and even a book by the guest of the show. It’s a fun listen, and makes you fell a lot better about being a forgetful slob…. like — no one I know.