7 Simple Productivity Tools

Here are 7 simple but effective productivity tools that can help
you save time and get things done:

1) Your Planner

Of all your productivity tools, your planner is one of the most
important ones, because it's something that you'll use every day to
get things done.

Productivity often comes down to having a clear system to
capture, organize, prioritize, plan and take action on all the
projects, tasks and activities that you need to get done each day.

A good planner can make a big difference in your results, but
even a simple blank notebook can do wonders if you're used to
keeping everything in your head.

If you want a proven software planner for Windows that can help
you get organized and take control of your time, you'll want to
check out Achieve Planner:

2) Dry Erase Calendar

You may also find it helpful to buy a large dry erase calendar
and hang it in a prominent location in your home or office.

A wall in your office, the kitchen or a frequently-traveled
hallway are good locations.

On this calendar, you can mark down important activities and
commitments for all members of the family.

For example, you can record your kids' activities, your own
meetings, doctor and dentist appointments, special functions,
etc. You can plan a week ahead of time, or even a whole month at
a time.

After each event has passed, erase it so you have a clear,
at-a-glance view of the things coming up next.

3) A Password Manager

If you use a web browser and need to keep track of passwords for
different websites (who doesn't?), then a password manager can be a
BIG time saver.

In case you are not familiar with this kind of software, it's a
tool that helps you keep track of your online passwords so you
don't have to remember them off the top of your head or use silly
little passwords that are easy to crack.

The best password managers even auto-fill the login forms for
you so you don't even have to type the passwords yourself.
A very popular and well-known password manager is RoboForm:

4) Reminders and Alarms

Many of the email, planning and organization software programs
available today offer great little settings that can remind you of
important activities.

You can schedule everything from birthday and anniversary
reminders to notes of encouragement for yourself!

Or, you can use a reminder service. There are also reminder
services out there that are absolutely free to use. You simply sign
up for a free account, set the dates and activities you want to be
reminded about, and they will send an email notification on the
date and time you specify.

This is a handy tool worth using if you need help remembering
activities and special occasions.

One popular service is www.MemoToMe.com; or try an internet
search for "reminder service."


5) "Text Replacement" Utilities

This is another little productivity tool that can save you a lot
of time and effort. It works great for common email replies,
signatures, quotes and lots of other boilerplate text that you may
need to type.

I recommend that you check out, Direct Access which reduces time
consuming, repetitive tasks through the use of abbreviations for
text replacement and application launching.


6) Outsourcing Services

If your daily schedule is packed full of chores and obligations
that you can't seem to pare down or delegate, consider outsourcing
some of them to individuals or companies that can help.

For example, if you find that you spend a lot of time nagging
your spouse to do the yard work (or you're forced to do it yourself
and it poses a real drain on your time and energy), call a few
local landscaping companies and check out their rates.

Do the same for housecleaning services, dog walkers, grocery
delivery services, and more.

You might think these services are too expensive, but you'd be
surprised at how inexpensive they CAN be.

Of course, you're going to have to decide if the costs are worth
the extra time you get by using these services. It all depends on
your budget and time commitments.

You might also consider a 'virtual assistant' to help you with
errands and other computer-related busywork.

7) Organizational Tools

If you spend a lot of time hunting for things you need because
you're swimming in a sea of clutter, consider investing in a few
good organizational systems and tools.

Once again, this probably will involve some extra expense at
first, but the extra organization and peace of mind may well be
worth it.

All of these tools may seem overly simple, but don't be
fooled! They can go a long way toward helping you save time,
be more productive and balance your life activities.