Gadget Guide: Productivity Boosters – Top 10 Handy-Dandy Doo-Dads to Give you a Kick in the @#%

Sometimes good intentions just aren’t enough. Sometimes you need a good swift kick in the @#% to get going on tackling those to-do’s! Most of us aren’t lucky enough to have someone to look over our shoulder and give us a nudge when we need it – cue the gadgets!

Top 10 Handy Dandy Doo-Dads to Give You a Kick in the @#%

#1: Timer – Is time slipping away from you? Use a good old fashion egg timer or desk clock to reign in your tasks and stay on track. Racing the clock forces you to focus faster and steer clear of busy work!

#2: Task Lists – It doesn’t matter what system you use, whether it’s Outlook or another task management tool. What is important is using one to schedule follow-up activities and break big projects into key milestones. Don’t forget to set due dates and use the reminder alarm!

#3: Hands-Free Headset – The ability to take notes quickly during a conference call and follow-up immediately after is critical. Use a simple hands-free headset to talk and type notes (preferably into an email message) for quick follow-up.

#4: Time Tracker – Wonder exactly where your time goes every day? Handy-dandy apps like Klok or RescueTime let you create a journal of your daily activities to either client billing purposes or just finding those time leaks.

#5: Google Calendar – Extremely helpful for managing team tasks, Google Calendar is a simple-to-use system for setting up task reminders. It allows you to send reminders via email or text message and syncs with your desktop applications! Handy!

#6: Desktop Inbox – Not to be confused with a Hide-Stuff-In-Box! An inbox not only clears the visual clutter, it is the simplest system for managing paper. Make emptying your inbox part of your daily routine!

#7: Vision Board – It’s easy to give into distraction when you lose sight of WHY you are doing what you are doing (and need to do every day to get there). If a full-on vision board isn’t your thing, strategically place family photos within eyesight.

#8: Data Syncing – You never know when you will end up with an extra 15 minutes to get stuff on your task list done. It doesn’t matter what you use, consider your desktop to smart phone syncing to be your must-have mobile productivity tool.

#9: Mind Mapper – For all the visual thinkers, create a mind map to connect the dots between where you are and where you want to go. Sometimes just seeing the steps is enough to focus (or refocus) your efforts!

#10: The BIG PICTURE