Productivity Workflow
First, state your goals of your productivity system and workflow. For me, I wanted a quick easy way to get ideas out of my head, a way to organize those ideas, and a way to turn those ideas into actionable goals and items. Seems simple, but when you try using a million different tools to get it done, it turns into a sloppy mess of a nightmare.
Next, we’ll take a quick inventory of tools or resources we currently use, would like to use, or need to find. My list included three different todo applications!! How am I supposed to be productive when I’m using so many different programs that all do that same thing? I narrowed down my list to the following items – below each item is a notation about what role it plays in my personal productivity workflow:
Things for iPhone and Mac
Things is an application for Mac and iPhone. You may not use either of these, but here is what it gives me, personally: the ability to quickly enter items that come accross my mind, wirelessly sync those items to the desktop version, then organize into projects and life-areas. Granted, I can also do some organizing on the phone, but the phone app is much better at grabbing information, doing a little editing, and viewing your ongoing lists and projects.
Another thing that is invaluable to me, and why I use Things over several other applications I’ve tried, is the ability to easily pick which items to do today! This may seem like a no-brainer, but there are a lot of list applications that just… well… list stuff. Sure you can put them into projects and prioritize, but I want to get up and the morning, go through my actions/lists and determine what needs to be done right now.
Evernote for iPhone and Desktop
Evernote has come a long, long way since it first started out. I remember using it a long time ago and just kind of thinking, “this is alright.” Now, I don’t know if I could make it a day without using it. It’s that good!
Basically, Evernote is a digital note-taking application. You can use it’s Firefox browser plugin to grab snippets or entire websites, you can use it’s iPhone, Mac, or PC application to take notes – long or short – photos, audio? Sure. And it handles it all with ease. It allows me to take a project or todo item and really expand on it. Can you use paper for this? Sure you can, but what if I want to take a note at the office PC, then need it at home on the Mac? Or need it across town at a business lunch? I forgot my notebook!! Not with Evernote you didn’t.
Google Calendar
Not much to say here, but I use and swear-by Google Calendar. Simple and accessible from anywhere (it syncs to my iPhone calendar using Neuvasync).
Moleskine Notebooks
You probably thought I was anti-paper or something. But I’m really not. I LOVE notebooks – nice ones, that is. Aside from Google Calendar for scheduling, I also have a Moleskine Calendar sitting on my desk all day. I use it to take quick phone notes, and jot notes about the appointments in it.
You’ll also find me with a new Moleskine Volant notebook – a credit-card sized Moleskine with perforated pages for quick notes on the go.
I also use a standard ruled Moleskine for journalling.
What does all this mean? I can quickly get things out of my head, a daily review to turn all those things into actionable items, and a weekly review to make sure I’m on track. Things is the main part of my productivity plan right now, but I encourage you you find your own. Your personal, and business life will thank you!
