3 Incredible Productivity Tools I Use Every Day in 2022
The only recipe for motivation is persistence, hard work, & belief.
The constant that defines my personality is how frequently I change my planning processes.
Bullet journals were my sole focus years ago. For years before that, I changed planners every year (and sometimes became bored and moved on to another by April, yikes!
As a result, I now use digital and analog planning tools to avoid my problems when I only use one. (For example, using the bullet journal to plan my future is a no-no.)
I aim to ensure I use the best app, notebook, software, and other tools for the job.
To remain on top of all, I need to plan monthly, weekly, and daily in 2022 — I’ve landed on three tools for my planner arrangement.
You don’t have to worry about it as much as you think!
It’s essential to unpack many things, so let’s begin!
1. Google Calendar: Future Planning + Time Blocking + Reminders
I start with Google Calendar for all upcoming events — a computerized tool that gives me a bird’s eye perspective of everything I have planned.
As a teenager and early adult, I used a paper-only calendar. But today, there is a lot more going on!
Not only does Google Calendar sync between my computer and phone, allowing me to view my planning setup from anywhere, but it also allows me to:
- Schedule my day to know what I’ll do and when. I can change blocks instead of digging through my desk drawers for whiteout when my day doesn’t go as planned.
- Set recurrent reminders for tasks that must complete every month.
- Set one-time reminders, such as when my Kohl’s cash will run out!
- Plan from several perspectives. I may look through my entire month or focus on a specific week or day.
I use this app numerous times daily since it helps me stay organized!
Is there any purpose for which I don’t use Google Calendar?
You bet.
The tasks feature irritates me.
A due date will overflow your calendar with tasks; even if you mark them as completed, they don’t go away!
For my sanity, I prefer to keep things simple; therefore, I monitor my weekly and daily chores with a separate program — Things 3. Here is a video tutorial from my friend Peter Akkies in case you wish to check out this fantastic app to get things done.
2. Notion: Project + Content + Weekly Task Management
I’ve been a lousy Notion user for the past years, but I’ve finally realized its full potential over the last few months.
For simplicity, let’s focus on three planning features instead of digging into every component of Notion:
- Project Management
- Content Strategy
- Weekly Task Scheduling
Procrastination was among the reasons I switched my weekly assignments to Notion.
I was sick of shifting chores in my bullet notebook weekly! So I’ll return to this page during the week (typically at the end of each day) and tick off whatever I’ve accomplished.
3. Brain Dump your thoughts, ideas, and notes with Evernote.
Finally, I believe in the efficacy of brain dumps, brain drains, and mind purges — call them what you wish.
I think they’re vital!
Hundreds of thoughts and tasks will jump into your head at the most inconvenient moments (in the shower, anyone?).
Instead of cramming these “cerebral landfills” into your usual planning tools, try working them out in a blank notebook first, then plugging them into the appropriate tools if necessary.
Evernote is one tool I use daily for all my brain dump and functions as my second brain.
Final Thoughts.
This is my collection of planning tools; maybe, you’ll get some inspiration for improving your setup.
Because, in reality, what works for me may not work for you, and vice versa. Perhaps you’re more perplexed than almost anything else just now! — It might be challenging to decide which planning alternatives to employ because there are so many.
I’m a big admirer of systems that you can personalize. This is done digitally with Notion, while pre-designed planning inserts are incorporated into a notebook.
You may combine the designs you prefer and switch to other methods/layouts when you become bored with the latter!
What’s your favorite, and why?
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