As part of the Life Well Lived Getting Organized panel, I was asked What are your favorite resources (Products, Apps, Books, Websites, etc.) to help you get organized?
Because most of my life is now digital – whether I’m paying bills, scheduling life, or working in my home office – I rely heavily on three simple tools:
- My iPhone You can bet that no matter where I am, my iPhone is close by. From my iPhone (and various apps on it) I can access all of my contacts, my calendar, my files, my social media accounts, my blog and whatever else I need to organize work or play.
- Dropbox I used Dropbox to store all of my digital files so I can have access to them anywhere I have an Internet connection. I can even view files on my phone using the Dropbox iPhone app. Everything is synced to my computer and iPad and super easy to share with anyone I might be collaborating with. No need for emailing or wondering what version of a file is the right one!
- Evernote This handy tool has helped me organize personal to do lists, blog post ideas and meeting notes on the fly. I use the iPhone and iPad apps fairly frequently when I’m not at home. Once I’m home, my notes are synced and waiting for me on my computer. Evernote saves me a ton of time and is much more efficient (and eco-friendly) than a pen and paper!
How do you manage to stay organized? I’m always open to new tips and tricks!
You can head on over BlogHer and read 35 Resources to Help You Get Organized for even more tips and join the conversation. (I see a few on there that I’m definitely going to try out!)
Be sure to enter the current Life Well Lived Sweepstakes for a chance to win an iPod Touch a $50 iTunes gift certificate to go with it. All you have to do is comment on the post. Good luck!
I was without a smart phone for a while, but just got the Google Nexus and haven’t been happier. I use Evernote, and have Dropbox, but haven’t really looked to much into that. I’ll have to look further! Thanks for the post. I really need to get my act in gear.
I don’t know what I’d do without my smart phone now. It runs my life! Dropbox makes my life easier since I write for a lot of people and need to share files. Plus, I don’t have to store everything on my desktop.
{Melinda} I know I’m “old school” but I stay organized best when I actually write things down on paper. I have a paper calendar and write lists for everything. I put them on post it notes. If I’m working on a specific project (right now it’s a book I’m working on), I buy and designate a notebook just for that purpose and put everything related to it in the notebook. I have paper files and try to have a category for everything.
I know it seems crazy with all the technology we have available, but I have to work with my personality and what makes sense for me. I think that is key to finding an organizing system that really works.
Found you through SITS!
I agree. You’ve got to go with what works for you. I used to actually write things down much more, but I’m finding it’s easier to keep track of my notes on Evernote. I tend to lose the stuff I write down! Thanks for stopping by.
I’m more of a OneNote kinda gal. I want a tablet about as much as I want pekingese (which is a whole bunch of lots).
My only problem with being organised is the organising bit. I believe in order to stay organised you need to start organised… I am A Work In Progress.
Yeah. Getting into the organizing mindset can be difficult. Aren’t we all a work in progress? 🙂 Good luck!
I might be the last of that rare breed: People Who Won’t Carry Cell Phones, so no fancy mobile organization for me. I did just institute a family Google calendar to try to reign in the chaos: unfortunately I’m the only one who uses it. Ack.
I’m definitely the one in charge of the calendar. I just text or email reminders when I need to. 🙂