Convinced On Google Wave

Google Wave was one of those tools that when it was released I wanted to ensure myself an invite to try it out. Sort of like the gift you've always wanted, but then when you get it, you're not quite sure what to do with it. Relate? Google Wave seemed to interesting to use and the video seemed to make it look like a tool I had to integrate into my processes, but it didn't really solve a problem I had. Like many of us, I was already using Skype for group chat and file sharing, and when not using Skype, email seemed to be a suitable backup. I had actually tossed in the towel when it came to Google Wave.

Integrating Google Wave Into Your Productivity

Two months ago I started noticing some blog posts coming from two media/community leaders that I follow very closely. Chris Brogan began the charge with sharing how he uses Google Wave, and as I read the post, I started to see things a little more clearly. I think I was making it harder than it should have been. Chris never gave up on Google Wave, though he had his criticisms, he effectively conveyed how he had integrated the process into his systems.

Followed by Chris was Shaine Mata, from South Texas, who is an early adopter to new online tools. Some times things work for him, and some times not, but when it came to Google Wave, he really caught my attention. Here was another online leader that I respected and read sharing how he was using Google Wave to plan events and manage projects. His detailed posts, with screenshots, inspired me to emulate this processes to determine if Google Wave really was something that was passing me by.

Can You Make Google Wave Work for You?

With a little convincing, I found the use of Google Wave as something that both Skype and email were not doing. The customization and flexibility allowed by Google Wave made managing tasks and projects very easy. I still refer to Chris Brogan's posts as well as Shaine's processes to see if I'm missing anything, but I'm slowly making it my own process. Recently Shaine reviewed a new Google Wave plugin that once again changed the way I was using Wave, so suffice to say, I was sold.

Are you using Google Wave? Are you following others and their use to see if it's something you will integrate into your system. It was a hard sell for me, but what I read made sense; now I'm not looking back. What are some of the things you've been hesitant to adopt that over time you've warmed up to?

Photo Credit shainelee, niallkennedy