04 March 2024, Lorraine k. Lee

Are you tired of feeling like there’s never enough time in the day for all your tasks? 

I’ve certainly been there, and through that, I’ve learned that taking the time to find the right tools and strategies can seriously change your game. This past year, I dove deep into the world of productivity tools and hacks, and I’m excited to share what I’ve learned to help you work smarter, not harder.

Yes, it will take a bit of additional upfront effort to set up the systems that’ll save you time in the long run, but trust me, it’s worth it!

Tools for Productivity

• Notion: This app is like the Swiss Army knife for managing work. I dumped all my docs, tasks, and even my calendar in there. It’s my ultimate workspace.
• Magical: Emails, LinkedIn messages, you name it—I spent hours writing similar messages repeatedly. Magical has already helped me save hours of time with their helpful shortcuts. Bonus: It’s free!
• Canva: Canva is my go-to for anything design-related. Need a quick graphic for social media or a slick presentation? Canva’s got you. It’s super user-friendly, and you can do a ton of cool stuff without being a pro designer.

Techniques that level up my Game

• Time-Blocking: This is all about planning your day in chunks and dedicating specific times to specific tasks. It sounds simple, but it’s a game-changer for staying focused. Plus, checking off those blocks as you complete them is pretty satisfying.
• Eisenhower Decision Matrix: Ever feel like you’re busy but not productive? This technique helps you sort tasks by importance and urgency so you spend time on what actually matters.
• Visual Collaboration: Adding a drawing tool to our toolbox was a game-changer for teamwork. It’s one thing to talk about an idea, but being able to sketch it out and share it? That’s when the magic happens, especially for remote teams.

Using these tools and techniques has saved me hours each week. 

That’s time I can spend on more ROI-based activities, as well as things I actually enjoy outside of work. If you’re looking to get more done in less time, give these a try.

It might feel a bit overwhelming at first, but once you incorporate these into your daily workflow, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without them.

Remember, the goal here isn’t to work harder; it’s to work smarter. 

With these tools in your arsenal, you’ll be well on your way to making the most of your time and energy. 

So, what are you waiting for? 

Dive in and start transforming the way you work today!