“What is the number one organizational tool that you use for productivity as a freelance creative/writer entrepreneur?”

“I use Trello as a productivity app to keep myself on task! I set up each section as a day of the week and plan out my week my placing cards in to each day. I always go in at least the day before, so I can start each day fresh and not question what needs to be done.”

“My ALL TIME favorite productivity tool is a platform called Airtable.  If I’m going to write a course, create a content calendar, plan out an ebook…or anything, really, I use this platform!!  Basically, it’s a spreadsheet system that allows you to organize data, long text or any downloadable inside the cloud.  Airtable has found a way to make the “spreadsheet” easy and fun to use.  Oh!!  And did I mention this amazing productivity tool is completely free??  I’ve helped so many bloggers get hooked on this tool, it’s ridiculous.  😀 They’ve developed a drag and drop system that allows you to store everything from text to images to PDF’s to Videos…AND makes it easy to re-download onto your hard drive when you need them!  You can even convert any cell with a date into a calendar system!  AND…you can share the system with anyone who has the link (exactly like Google Drive)! I’ve been blogging for almost 15 years, and it’s honestly, one of the most robust, organizational systems I’ve ever used that boosts my productivity!”

“Google Drive is still my standby, even though Daryn is trying to get me to adopt a real project management tool (we’re currently using Basecamp). Our editorial calendar is in Google Sheets and I collaborate with clients using Google Docs, since it can be updated in real-time and shared so easily. Gotta <3 free Google tools!”

“I’m always trying to find just the right mix of productivity systems for me!  Right now, I rely heavily on: Batching my work & I have set times blocked on my calendar for social media, LinkedIn leads, Client follow ups, editing and meetings…for example. The next thing is using a timer on my phone to work in 30 min sections of time…then take a stretch break and come back. A great productivity tool I am learning to use is Kanban Flow. I can convert emails to action items.  That way, I’m in and out of email fast & spend my time focusing on my workflow. Another tip:  I’m a early morning person…so I do my thinking work really early…4-7am.  Find the best time for you!”

“The number one tool I use for productivity while balancing multiple clients and projects is Asana! It’s a free task management system where I keep tons of information about my daily to-dos, clients, due dates, and tasks. I create templates, checklists, and processes for all of my business projects so I can easily hand them off to team members or other contractors if I get too busy. I’m also able to manage my household and personal tasks. I love it! Plus, it syncs to Google Calendar so it allows me to monitor how long certain tasks take, so I don’t miss important reminders but can still increase productivity.”

“Right now, I’m using the Full Focus Journal in tandem with my GetPlan.co calendar. I’ve tried a lot of productivity systems that help me set goals and stay on track, but nothing seemed to mesh well with my the way my brain works. However, these two have become my go-to system for goal setting, planning, execution and keeping up with the little day to day things. We all have goals that we want to hit in a year, but in order to actually reach them, we work better and more effectively in 90-day sprints. What I like about the Full Focus Planner is it can cover any goal you want. Whether it’s a business, family or health goal, you can plan for it. There is an emphasis made in the planner for rest, reflection and working on important relationships. It’s literally the life planner you have been looking for but didn’t know existed. As the days and weeks happen, I make notes of other important tasks that come up that truly boosts my productivity. Those can be small notes like emailing someone, keeping track of a possible client and even house stuff like switching the laundry, paying a bill, etc. All those little things go into To-Dos in my GetPlan calendar and scheduled for certain days. This way, I have a physical calendar that keeps me on track and a digital one where my entire life happens. So now, very few things fall through the cracks.”

“As both a fiction and a freelance writer I’m often pulled in many directions. But in order to grow, an active presence on social media is essential. It’s also time consuming. Networking with others can produce many positive benefits. In order to increase my overall exposure and reduce the amount to time I spend sharing blog posts for myself and others I find Triberr.com very helpful. My blog posts go into the ‘stream’ of the tribes I’ve joined to be shared and I can go in and easily schedule sharing other’s posts. Another productivity tool or social media management app I use is Hootsuite. Even with the free version I can schedule up to 30 tweets and space them out over the coming weeks. Hootsuite can also be used to schedule other social media platforms and has paid versions that offer additional options.”

“Having designated pockets of time dedicated solely to work. I work around my kids because I purposely wanted the flexibility to be home. Sometimes that can get tricky, so I make sure that at least a certain amount of hours each week, I’m solely dedicated to work time without any distractions.”

“The productivity tool that has made the biggest difference for me is The Simplified Planner from Emily Ley. I love sitting down every Sunday afternoon to plan out my week and month with it. Each page allows you to plan your day by the hour, so I can first schedule in family time, a workout, meditation, then see where I have space for my work. It has seriously helped me stop wasting time and see how exactly what is most important when I have to physically write it down. I actually just purchased a second one to use as an editorial calendar for my blog and coaching business.”

“My number one productivity tool is the At-A-Glance Administrator-style monthly calendar. While I do love all of my online tools, I can’t function without a handwritten calendar. I have to be able to flip open the page and see it all on paper. I use one calendar to plan out my work schedule and deadlines. I have a separate, identical calendar for family appointments. On my work calendar I block out times for writing for specific clients and try to batch all of my similar tasks for the month. (Batching could be an entire post on its own.) The one thing I don’t put on the calendar is my daily schedule. I use the Cozi Calendar app and website to plot out my hour-by-hour routine.”

“One of my top tools for productivity is my handy paper pad and pen. I utilize about a million electronic apps for this and that, but at the end of the day (or beginning of the morning) the things I get done are the tasks I hand write on my paper pad. There is just something about putting pen, pencil, sharpie (whatever) to paper that gives me the extra push to get er’ done.”