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I've shared with you about my recent struggles with procrastination, especially during this last term of grad school. Did I tell you it all worked out-I finished with two A's!!! Anyway, I've been observing myself and I've realized that I'm procrastinating because I have other things I'd much rather be doing (work on my blog, work on my goals to have my own business, sleep, etc.). I thought it would be a good idea to share some tools to stay focused and organized, especially when your mind is going 100 miles per minute, focusing on everything else but the task at hand.
// Mind Mapping: A mind map is a diagram used to visually outline information. A mind map is often created around a single word or text, placed in the center, to which associated ideas, words and concepts are added. Major categories radiate from the center, and less important categories are sub-branches of larger branches. Categories can represent words, ideas, tasks or other items related to a central key word or idea.
**update: There is mind mapping software available if you want to create one digitally. You could also use other programs like PowerPoint, Photoshop, or good ole pen and paper.**
// Evernote: Evernote makes it easy to remember things big and small from your everyday life using your computer, phone, tablet and the web. Evernote also has other products like Evernote Remember, Skitch, Evernote Peek and Penultimate.
// Wunderlist: Wunderlist is the easiest way to manage and share your to-do lists. Whether you’re planning an overseas adventure, sharing a shopping list with a loved one or running your very own business, Wunderlist allows you to collaborate anywhere with anyone. Wunderlist syncs across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Android, Windows and the Web to keep you on top of to-dos from just about any device.
// Notebook: This is where it all goes down! This is where I write my ideas, goals, plans, blog posts, sketches. It's really a messy notebook that would only make sense to me. I'm using the greenroom notebooks that you can find at Target. I like moleskins, but I don't like their price. A notebook is a notebook at the end of the day.
I have used everything on this list, but right now I'm mostly using Wunderlist, a planner and a notebook. I use Wunderlist because it keeps my to do list organized by what's going on in my life like, school, the blog and the wedding. My notebook is where I jot down ideas and a to do list as well, but it can get pretty sloppy. The planner was being used to keep track of my to do's, but Wunderlist and the notebook have taken over. I like the day designer and plan on purchasing one in the future because it will give me some worksheets that are centered around my business and brand. I've been making my own thus far and that's been working, but sometimes I like to simply "do" without thinking about the how.
What tools do you use to stay on track and avoid procrastination street?
