With the start of another new year, you may have thought about what you would like to do differently. 6 New Year's Resolutions to Help You Be More Creative in 2017 6 New Year's Resolutions to Help You Be More Creative in 2017 With the start of another new year, it's time to think about how you can be more creative. Take a look at these resolutions that can help you get there; It may just be… read more. Between work and home, there is always a lot to do. But, with the right tools and habits, you can make 2017 your most productive year.
We've put together a 12-step program that will help you transform your productivity habits. You can conquer them one by one, from January to December..
There is no better way to start a new year than to be punctual and stick to your schedule. You can certainly promise yourself, but if you have a great tool to help you, it's even easier.
Choose a calendar that has reminders, recurring events, and cross-platform access. One of the most popular and intuitive options is Google Calendar. You can use it on the web and on your Android or iOS device.
You can set a reminder for each event you create and decide when you will be notified. You can add recurring events for weekly meetings, share your calendar with others, and use the appointment page feature. 9 Google Calendar Features You Should Be Using. 9 Google Calendar Features You Should Be Using. Google Calendar has more tricks than ever. Our tips will help you organize events and reduce the time you spend managing your calendar. Read More
Clearly setting and focusing on goals helps you complete them. You can start simple with a goal for each day or jump right in and set goals for each week, each month, or the entire year. And, put it right on that calendar.
When setting these goals for yourself Use Excel and Google Tasks to create the best goal management tool Ever Use Excel and Google Tasks to create the best goal management tool. Lately, I've found myself working really hard, but if someone were to ask me whether or not I feel like I'm working for a larger purpose, I'd have to say I really don't... Read More Not only will this allow you to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but it will also give you more motivation.
For example, when you finish that long, difficult document at the end of the week, enjoy lunch at your favorite restaurant.
Speaking of documents, consider using (more) templates in the new year. When you create a business document from scratch, it can take an enormous amount of time. But when you start with a template, you can easily minimize that time and move on to the next task.
You can use Microsoft Word templates How to Manage Your Project with Word Templates How to Manage Your Project with Word Templates In project management, preparation is half the battle. To organize and document your project, you may need many different reports, forms, or plans. We've compiled a selection of Word templates to get you started. Read More for Business Letters 15 Business Letter Templates for Microsoft Word to Save You Time 15 Business Letter Templates for Microsoft Word to Save You Time Templates save time. Here we compiled 15 business letter templates, from letters of intent, through thank you notes, to references. These templates will communicate with confidence. More information and plans, Excel templates An Excel template for every occasion An Excel template for every occasion Skip the steep learning curve and get your life in order with the power of Excel templates. We've compiled a selection of auto-updating templates for tracking budgets, managing projects, and more. Read more for budgeting and finances 15 Useful Spreadsheet Templates to Help Manage Your Finances 15 Useful Spreadsheet Templates to Help Manage Your Finances Always keep track of your financial health. These free spreadsheet templates are just the tools you need to manage your money. Read More, and PowerPoint Templates Where to Find Free PowerPoint Themes and Templates Where to Find Free PowerPoint Themes and Templates A default template can be drab and lifeless. Fortunately, with a plethora of free resources available, there's no need to settle down. We've compiled some of the best PowerPoint themes and templates. Learn more about presentations 7 Tips for Creating Professional PowerPoint Templates 7 Tips for Creating Professional PowerPoint Templates No one benefits from a boring PowerPoint presentation. Use these tips to ensure your efforts always engage your audience. Read more.
You can also check out OneNote templates How to use OneNote templates to stay more organized How to use OneNote templates to stay more organized OneNote is a great way to keep your ideas organized, and templates can make the process even easier . Learn how to use, edit and create your own templates with this guide. Learn More, Evernote How To 6 Simple Evernote Templates Boost My Daily Productivity How To 6 Simple Evernote Templates Boost My Daily Productivity Create custom templates in Evernote. With these templates, you can increase your productivity at work and in your personal life. Let's see how you can make your own custom Evernote templates quickly. Read More We've compiled 24 time-saving Google Docs templates for work, health, home, and travel. Get on with your projects, instead of struggling to put documents together. Read more . All this simplifies the creation of documents.
Many times a project is given to us or we create it ourselves and we want to tackle it all at once. But, this can backfire. You can focus more clearly by breaking projects into small chunks and taking on tasks at hand before moving on.
Project Managers Use a Work Breakdown Structure How to Organize Any Project With a Work Breakdown Structure How to Organize Any Project With a Work Breakdown Structure A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Every complex project consists of multiple components. The Work Breakdown Structure can help you identify all the steps and put them in sequence. Read More
Seeing the big picture of a big project is important, of course. But if you can focus on one task at a time, you'll be better organized, stay on track easier, and ensure a completely finished project.
To help you with those big projects or just your daily tasks, use a To-Do List To-Do List:Any.do vs Todoist vs Wunderlist App To-Do List:Any.do vs Todoist vs Wunderlist Some Apps of the to-do list are head and shoulders above the rest. But how do they compare and which one is best for you? We'll help you find out. Read More As with the calendar, you should look for a tool that offers reminders, recurring tasks, and cross-platform access.
Wunderlist is an excellent to-do list manager. You can create multiple lists with to-dos on each. Then add reminders, set and prioritize, include notes and attach files. You can also create recurring tasks and add sub-tasks.
To stay on track and prioritize what needs to get done, the app is available for free on the web, Android, iOS, and as a Windows desktop app. In Windows 10, Wunderlist now also syncs with Cortana. Your best Windows 10 To Do List app is Cortana + Wunderlist. Your best Windows 10 To Do List app is Cortana + Wunderlist. Cortana can handle to-do and task lists. Now she also connects to your Wunderlist. Here's how you can manage all your lists with Cortana. Read more.
Staying on track with a to-do list tool is effective, but often so is delegation. If you're in a position to share the load, then get in the habit of doing so. You don't have to do everything yourself. And, whether at work or at home, if you have people to help, then let them.
When you break down a project into tasks, focus on the high-priority pieces, for example. Then assign the lower priority tasks to your staff or team. This allows you to take care of what's most important, but still make sure all items are complete.
Let the Eisenhower Matrix help you prioritize and delegate your tasks. When you identify a task that is urgent, but not important, you should delegate it.
This is just one of many methods to prioritize your tasks. The 3-Strike System:How to Prioritize Your To-Do List The 3-Strike System:How to Prioritize Your To-Do List Not getting your to-do list right? The problem may not be your productivity, it may be your priorities. Let's learn how to prioritize to-do list and how to get things done. Read more.
Remember that delegation is a big part of time management. But, so are the right tools. To track your time, record how it's spent, and create a daily or weekly plan, use the handy apps.
So far, you have your calendar and to-do list manager. Now you need a time tracking tool. An excellent option is Toggl. You can start timing an activity with the click (or tap on the mobile app). Set up multiple projects to track, add tags for organization, and view weekly, monthly, and yearly reports.
You can use Toggl on the web and on your Android or iOS device. The app is also available for Windows, Mac and Linux as a desktop tool.
You might wonder how taking time to relax can help you be more productive. But think it's time to step away from your project or task to clear your mind. When you're ready to return to it, you can do so with fresh eyes. This often allows you to see things you didn't see before.
Some use relaxation methods Feeling overwhelmed? Here are the 5 relaxing corners of the web. Feeling overwhelmed? Here are 5 relaxing corners of the Internet. The Internet can be a nasty place, but it doesn't have to be. Small corners remain, where you can go and relax. Read More Again, these types of aids can help relieve stress, minimize anxiety, and give you a fresh perspective. At the end of the day, or even in the middle, be sure to set aside time to relax.
Depending on the email app you use, you can always find a better way to manage it. If you like Microsoft Outlook, you can take advantage of Setup Rules Let Outlook Rules Manage Your Email Inbox Outlook Rules Manage Your Email Inbox Smart filters and alerts can help you stay on top of things from your email inbox. Outlook desktop and Outlook.com offer a feature called "rules" and we'll show you how to set it up. Read more . Rules cause Outlook to move emails to certain folders, flag them, and play alert sounds. Similarly, you can configure Gmail filters. How to set up email filters in Gmail, Yahoo Mail and Outlook. How to set up email filters in Gmail, Yahoo Mail and Outlook. Email filtering is your best tool to keep your inbox clean and organized. Here's how to set up and use email filters in Gmail, Yahoo Mail, and Outlook. Read more.
On your mobile device, you can use tools like Mailswipe to process your emails faster. Simply swipe through messages, displayed as cards, to perform an action. So you can easily move emails to trash or save them for later.
The app is free for one email account on both Android [No Longer Available] and iOS [No Longer Available] with in-app purchases starting at $2.99.
Similar to making time to relax, scheduling an exercise session is a great idea. Even if you only walk a little, you will do your mind and body good. Several studies revealed the connection between exercise and productivity.
One such study by researchers at Stockholm University and Karolinska Institutet showed:
So whether you can leave your desk for a simple walk or prefer your regular workout at the end of the day, you can keep your mind and body fit.
One way to make sure you walk or just take a short break is to use a timer. You can use a useful browser extension if most of your work is done online. Just set the timer for a specific time and when the alert sounds, get up and go. Take a look at 1-click-timer for Chrome or TimerFox for Firefox.
If you prefer not to use a browser extension, consider using the timer on your mobile device. Both Android and iOS devices have built-in timers. On either device, just open the default clock app and use the timer to count down or set the alarm for a certain time.
How many times have you said something to yourself like, "I have a lot to do, I don't know how to do it all"? Or how about, “There's no way I can finish all of that by the end of the week.”? It's understandable to feel overwhelmed at times. Do you feel overwhelmed? Having! 4 time management tools to keep you from feeling overwhelmed? Having! 4 Time Management Tools to Save You Do you have a hard time staying productive because your mind keeps wandering to deadlines, appointments, or urgent tasks? We show you smart time management tools that will help you relax, refocus, and get things done. Read more.
Instead of talking about how to be productive, talk about it. Instead, try statements like, "What I have to do to get everything done is..." or "What I'll reorganize to get this done by the end of the week is..." This part of being more productive helps you focus and think positively..
In other words, stop complaining. How to Stop Complaining and Live a More Positive Life How to Stop Complaining and Live a More Positive Life Here are 10 tools that can help you be kind and positive and get you out of the useless habit of complaining. Read More
You may already use some of these tools or swear by some of the habits. But if you don't, there's no better time to start than with a new year.
Do you have a plan to be more productive in 2017? If you have any suggestions, we'd love to hear them!
