The Creative Brain & Tools/ Apps
Today we will explore how to keep track of time for our creative endeavours by diving into the exciting world of tools and apps. Think of these as your digital sidekicks, here to help you streamline your workflow, amplify your creative potential, and stay organized in a way that actually works for your brain.
Ever wondered where all those precious hours disappear to? The concept of time can be tricky. Our brains might hyperfocus on a task, leading to hours vanishing in what feels like minutes. Or, we might struggle with time blindness, making it difficult to estimate how long tasks will actually take.
Time Tracking
Time tracking apps are like a magnifying glass, helping you pinpoint exactly how long you spend on different tasks. This insight is invaluable for understanding your unique work patterns, identifying those sneaky time-wasters, and optimizing your schedule for maximum creativity. It can be particularly helpful for neurodivergent brains to build a more realistic sense of time and create schedules that truly work for us.
Toggl: A user-friendly app that allows you to start and stop a timer for each task, providing detailed reports on how you spend your time.
Harvest: Great for freelancers and teams, Harvest tracks time spent on projects, making it easy to invoice clients and manage budgets.
Project Management
Juggling multiple projects can feel like a whirlwind of chaos, but with the right project management tools, you'll be organized, efficient, and in control in no time. These apps help you visualize project timelines, track progress, collaborate with others (if you're working with a team or clients), and ensure that nothing falls through the cracks.
Asana: A popular choice for teams and individuals, Asana lets you create boards, lists, and timelines to organize tasks and projects.
Notion: This all-in-one workspace combines note-taking, project management, and databases, making it a versatile tool for writers
Task Organization
Long to-do lists can be overwhelming. Task management apps help you stay organized and keep track of your tasks and deadlines. You can make lists, set reminders, and prioritize what's important, all in one place. Some even let you share tasks with others, making teamwork a breeze. Say goodbye to scattered notes and missed deadlines – these apps put you back in control.
Todoist: A minimalist task manager that helps you prioritize tasks, set deadlines, and collaborate with others.
TickTick: Similar to Todoist, TickTick offers features like habit tracking and a Pomodoro timer for focused work sessions.
Microsoft To Do: A simple and intuitive task manager that syncs across devices and integrates with Outlook for seamless task management.
Note-Taking and Ideation
Inspiration can strike at any moment, whether you're in the shower, on a walk, or simply daydreaming. Note-taking and ideation apps are your digital notebooks, ready to capture those fleeting thoughts, brilliant ideas, and creative sparks.
Evernote: A versatile note-taking app that lets you organize notes, clip web articles, and even record audio notes.
Notion: We mentioned Notion earlier, but it's worth repeating here. Its note-taking features are robust, allowing you to create databases, wikis, and even personal websites.
Obsidian: If you're a fan of Markdown, Obsidian is a powerful note-taking tool that connects your ideas and helps you create a knowledge base.
The best tools and apps are the ones that work for you. It might take some trial and error to find the perfect combination, but once you do, you'll be amazed at how much more productive, organized, and creatively fulfilled you feel. Explore, experiment, and have fun with it!
Until next time,
Kathleen xxoo