Yesterday we looked at some reader submitted productivity ‘rhythms’ for bloggers – today we’re going to look at a handful of your suggested tool:
1. Millionaire Mommy Next Door shares a useful tool…. from the kitchen:
“My favorite productivity tool is a digital kitchen timer. Nothing can sideswipe your attention and redirect your efforts quite like the world-wide-web. The timer keeps me focused, motivated and targeted on the individual task at hand. Identify your daily, weekly and monthly activities, set a time limit for each one, and start the digital timer in countdown mode. Save your favorite activities for last to serve as your reward for staying on task. More on this technique here.”
2. StarXLR8 shares a blogging tool tip (plus more):
“Transitioning from blogging online with WordPress to using Ecto offline is my biggest blogging productivity secret. I have much more flexibility in brainstorming, planning and organizing my thoughts and ideas for the next great post.
I would say that future date posting comes in second – as Darren said today and Leo at Zen Habits a few days ago – you can take advantage of creative bursts that appear like consistency to your user. This gives me more time to read and respond to comments.”
3. Michael from Pro Blog Design shares about how motivation is a key for him and how he uses a plugin to help him in this:
“I’m most productive when I’m motivated, so my best productivity tip is one that makes me motivated. I use the Updated Today plugin, in combination with a trick I created to show something only to the blog admin on WordPress. Whenever I have written a post today, I see a little yellow banner up at the top of my blog. That let’s me know that I’ve accomplished something today. If I don’t see it, then it’s a great motivator to actually do something!”
4. Brian Friedlander shares another useful technique:
“I always have a mindmapping application out that I can use to brainstorm and capture my ideas with. If I come across an interesting website I link it to my mindmap so that I can go back to it later. This really helps me to focus and when I am ready to write I just pull up my midmap and have all my resources in one place.”
You could also my tools for blogs as no.5 :)
http://www.bontb.com/blog-webtools/
I find I am most motivated when I am listening to inspirational music. Which of course varies from person to person.
My favourite productivity tool is a plain ol’ piece of paper.
Post-it notes. I use these to jot down a quick idea. Kind of goes along the lines of Leon’s productivity tool, but I can stick mine on things.
I think the timer is a wonderful idea! I am easily sidetracked while web surfing, blogging, or shopping and that would definately keep me up with the time.
My printer is one of my most used tools. If I see an article I like or that might be useful, I print it out to use as a reference later. I put it in my **blog binder**;)
I find I’m most productive when I’m outlining a post in my notebook, even when I’m researching it online. The web can be distracting: checking e-mail, stats, comments, random surfing. It all takes time away. But when I’m writing in my notebook and then hitting the PC or laptop just to research something very specific, my time is much more focused.
I hit Google to look for what I need, read the appropriate material, then it’s right back to my notebook. I can’t explain why it works for me, but it does.
my best productivity tool would be inspiration and curiousness. if i hear someone say “i never understood what that meant” or “what does mean” i feel the need to explain it. if i read something interesting i feel obligated to make sure everyone can fully understand what it means.
I’m honored that you highlighted my productivity tool aka kitchen timer, Darren. I hope my idea proves helpful for other readers. Now, on to finish my task at hand before the beep!
Thanks for including my tip Darren. I’m glad you liked it!
My best productivity tool is the Rocky soundtrack.
I don’t have any special tools. Just my laptop and my mind! It’s pretty easy to stay motivated because I love to write… and I generally type really fast, so I can complete an entire 5-6 paragraph post in less than 13 minutes.
Some very sound advice. I like the digital timer idea–very simple, but could certainly help one to stay focused. However, I wouldn’t always want to be working against the clock.
In my case, I tend to be more productive at night, most of the time laying in my bed and trying to brainstorm. I have a Tablet PC, so sometimes I get up in the middle of the night, and with my Tablet PC next to my bed, I start to write my ideas or thoughts. The next day, I just need to develop these ideas and I’m ready to roll
I like the Updated Today plugin idea. I am one of those people that constantly check my analytics and I think that little button would make me feel good:)
Good Post
James
I still think my best tool is notepad and to do lists.
Great tips. Thank you. Brian – where did you get the mindmapping software?
@catherine: you can use http://mind42.com as an online mind mapping tool.
One tool I’ve recently become enamoured over is Instant Boss – it’s a time software to help you focus on chipping away on your most important task and entering flow.
my old orginazer, winamp, and MS OneNote for blog management and categories in one screen :D
Hi guys,
I thought you might be interested in checking a GTD-style online productivity tool we have just launched:
http://www.littlehacks.com
You could find it very useful!