Productivity Tools: What Works for You?

I find it interesting the countless ways people try to stay organized and productive. There are so many tools on the market today claiming to be THE tool that will work for you. The truth, however, is that organizational tools are like diets; that is, hey all work to a certain extent, but you need to find the one that fits your lifestyle in order for it to be effective.

The kinds of tools you use to stay on track really depend on how you work. Are you a visual person who responds to colors and textures, or are you more analytical and systematic? Maybe you fall somewhere in between the two.

I know some very successful people who jot things down in a small spiral notebook and carry it with them. Others have a more sophisticated planning system, like a Franklin Covey day planner in which they set and track goals, prioritize tasks, create appointments, and maintain their entire year in one portable place.

Still others respond better to a tool like Outlook where they can be electronically reminded to complete a task, send a birthday card, or go to a meeting. In addition, they can send and receive email, take notes, and maintain a database of contacts in one handy tool.

The executive on the go now also has the option of conducting all of their business right from their phone with innovative mobile tools like Blackberries and iPhones.

I am a self-proclaimed productivity tool junkie. Over the years I’ve had tried all but none have stuck out as a favorite. My office right now is sort of an eclectic organizational mishmash. I like to experiment with various tools, sometimes simply to try something new and see if I like it enough to use it often, and sometimes just to change things up from the norm.

If you walked into my office right now you’d see Outlook open on my computer; a weekly desk calendar with mini sticky notes that I can position on different days; a white board for posting big projects or ideas I want to remember; giant Post It easel paper that I stick to the wall and use colorful markers to mind map client projects and personal projects so I have a visual overview of what’s going on; and my trusty Franklin Covey planner sitting patiently on my shelf waiting for me to put it back into action.

I once had a coach tell me that I’m just creating more work for myself by implementing several tools at once. That may be true, but I personally feel restricted if I have to use one thing all of the time; and, quite honestly, I get bored. Yes, I do favor one or two out of the others. For instance, I tend to use Outlook for keeping myself organized, but the other tools help me stay focused and less chained to my computer. It also adds an element of fun to my work, which I love.

If you haven’t found your ideal organizational tool yet, don’t panic. Take your time and try a few different options out. Decide whether you want all of your information in your office or if you want to be more mobile and work on the run. Maybe you want an option that lets you do both. Choose a tool or tools that work for you, not because you think you need them or because they work for someone else.

Getting organized and staying productive should be an enjoyable process and not a stressful one, so take a deep breath, relax, and have fun with it.