Increasing Productivity in the New Year: Bringing My Business into the 21st Century
by Cindy Ambuehl on January 5, 2012This year, I’m taking on the challenge of increasing my productivity in a 21st Century kind of way. I’m throwing out my paper planner, clearing out my files and organizing myself and my business completely virtually.
It’s typically right after I take my super relaxing staycation that I start getting all of my productivity ducks in a row.
Here are the things that are helping me and the ways in which I plan to stay organized and productive in the new year:
A trusty gadget: I bought my iPad2 a little while back and I don’t think I’ve been using it to its full potential. This is one of my favorite gadgets and I can’t wait to start using it more in 2012. The huge touch screen and 10 hour battery life are amazing because I can take it with me all day. I’m using the built-in Calendar and Contacts app to keep my dates and contacts with me all the time. The best part is that it syncs to the new Apple iCloud so my contacts and calendar are with me when I’m at the office on my computer as well.
As much as I love Apple products, I just wasn’t ready to give up my BlackBerry this year. It’s become so familiar to me and I love the interface. Plus, with my iPad, I have everything I need at my fingertips.
Organization methods: Now that I have my gadgets, it’s on to getting rid of the paper clutter and making everything virtual. I have a Mac desktop that runs OSX Lion, but these tips would even work on a PC. So if you’re interested, here are some apps and methods I’m going to use to organize my work life:
- Use folders: I’m starting my organizational process by using folders to tidy up my desktop. Since my work computer is my main computer, I’ve decided first and foremost to keep everything personal in a folder on my desktop. I’ll put all family photos, videos, and the things I’m inspired by in this folder, organized by category of course. As far as my Real Estate work goes, I’m creating the following folders: Past Listings, Open Escrows, Current Listings and Future Listings. Each folder with have each properties individual documents and contracts in them. This will help me to keep everything together in one spot and allow me to get rid of all the paper that, as we all know, can clutter ones desk.
- Scan all my old documents: With my trusty assistant Keri’s help, I’m going to scan all of my old documents in my office and place them into the above mentioned folders. As soon as I know everything is scanned, I’m putting all of the paper documents into boxes and throwing them into my attic, just in case I need them again in their original form.
- Use the app store apps for extra help: I love Apple’s way to integrate tons of apps to both my computer and iPad. Here are my favorite productivity apps that I plan on using this year:
- Day One Journal is a beautiful journal tool that will help me to remember the things I do day to day. No more “Did I remember to do this yesterday?” I’m putting everything I did into Day One so I know exactly how productive I’m being.
- Evernote is your new Notes application. You can take notes, save web pages, create lists and snap pictures of things you want to remember later. Sync it to your iPads, iPhones, and Mac computers to have all the notes wherever you are!
- Things is a wonderful To-Do application. Some To-Do’s are too simple and some are far too complicated. Things is beautifully designed app and really smart. You can create tags for specific projects for quick finding, plus it keeps it extremely organized. Gone are the days of notepad and pen and paper to-do’s… This is what Keri and I will be using.
- Skitch is an application that allows users to take screenshots of things they’re working on and quickly edit them and make notes on screen. This is going to be great when we’re working on all of our paperwork and want to be efficient.
So there they are: my trusty gadget, organization methods and productivity apps that are going to help me make this year my best business year ever.
How are you planning on changing your business and efficiency methods in the new year? Are there any apps I’m missing on my list? Let me know and leave your comments below.
