// Four Tips To Maximize Productivity + Creativity


I love being productive. Who doesn't, right? But with two kids, it can sometimes be hard. Nevermind trying to be creative. Half of the time I'm just too zonked to feel creative, and the other half of the time I'm just too busy to execute the ideas I come up with. Things have gotten a lot better since I started implementing a handful of these tactics, and I thought I'd share them with you today! This post is in partnership with HP's new x360 tablet and computer system, and their upcoming "That Bass" tour with Meghan Trainor (!!!). Peep the details below!

CREATE AN EDITORIAL CALENDAR

If you're a blogger or utilize social media for your business, an editorial calendar is key! I started using one in 2011 or 2012, and I spend a good portion of time carving out my blog's plan one month at a time. I blogged about my system once before, and it's relatively the same still, but I've found new ways to make it work for me. There's really no skill required. Just plan out your blog or social media posts in advance to ensure that you have quality coverage throughout the month. I really love my method because it allows me to move things around (even to another month!) and go with the flow. You can create an editorial calendar on your computer, Google Calendar, or in a planner like I have. I love being able to write things out and see them in a three dimensional form, so the planner really works for me. If you'd like to see more about how I plan my editorial calendar, let me know and I'll whip up a post!

READ, READ, and READ SOME MORE!

There are endless resources out there for maximizing productivity and creativity. From books to blogs to podcasts (Okay, I guess you listen to that one...), there are so many tips and tricks just waiting to be discovered. I am a huge fan of business books. I can devour half a dozen of them in a month because I get so pumped when I read them. Whether they talk about being a work at home mom, a creative, or just discuss ways to find likeminded people, I am all about it. I feel like we should never stop learning, and thankfully these books and blogs make that so easy. A few of my favorite business-minded books include: The Boss of You, Turning Pro, Craft Inc., Creative, Inc., Blog Inc., Mom Inc., Tribes, and ReWork.

CREATE A "LITTLE BOOK OF IDEAS"

I've written about my "Little Book of Ideas" hundreds of times on this blog. If you've read for any length of time, you've probably seen me reference it before. Just like my editorial calendar, it's nothing special. Just a notebook that I keep in my purse and use to jot down any ideas that I have. I doodle thumbnails for designs, hash out blog features, and keep a running list of topics I'd like to write about. If I'm feeling especially stuck and can't come up with something for the blog, I can pull out my book and see pull out a topic just like that! I also write a lot of lists! I love having an app for that (more on that next), but when it comes to a general "to do" list for the day, a handwritten list is the way to go for me. I love the act of marking them out once finished. There's something so gratifying about that. I usually keep my to do list on a little legal pad and then toss them into my book of ideas if they're on-going. 

Utilize Apps to help keep you on track

If you're more of a digital maven, maybe apps are more your speed. While I love me some handwritten lists, sometimes apps just can't be beat. Mike and I share several "list boards" on Wunderlist together and they make grocery shopping a breeze! Sure, grocery shopping may not be "creative" but it sure is productive. If either one of us notice that we're running low on something, we just pop it on the list and it updates across both of our phones and any other device Wunderlist is installed on. Same goes for Evernote. I love that I can "snip" pieces of webpages to save into Wunderlist, and then I can access them from any device.

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These four tips were inspired by the 4 modes of the new HP x360 tablet and their new #BendTheRules campaign. They include laptop, tablet, tent and stand modes (clockwise from top left)! Mike sort of took over the tablet as soon as it arrived and he (unofficially) made it his own. He's been glued to the Kindle and NPR apps, so stealing it away from him is easier said than done haha It's been super handy (when he's out of the house) though, because I've used it in tent mode to stream YouTube instructional videos on so many things lately! Namely how to set up my new serger that I got for Christmas haha! 

I'm also supposed to tell y'all about the new Meghan Trainor tour that's taking place right now (!!!) across the country. HP is sponsoring her "That Bass" tour and it's sure to be a fun time for all. Linden loves her song "Dear Future Husband" and it's our post-afternoon-nap tradition to dance around in the kitchen to that song and he just laughs and laughs and laughs. 


Do you have any tips you'd like to share on how to maximize productivity? I'm all ears! I need it now more than ever! haha Hopefully some of these tips will help you make the most of your time and talent! xoxo

12 comments:

  1. great ideas!

    www.amoderngypsy.blogspot.com

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  2. Please please please do a post on your editorial calendar technique! I'd love to see it! :)

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  3. I love the idea of using an editorial planner but something in me automatically rebels against the fact I've been proactive and scheduled something loool! This year I'm trying harder to be organised and have things planned out though.
    Super useful post. I'm now humming All About That Bass as I type...

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  4. Great tips, love the calendar idea, I need to adopt this one too!

    http://www.mintnotion.com

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  5. These are such great ideas! I should do a monthly editorial calendar as well, I'm currently just chucking in some notes with ideas for future blogpost and keep only a more accurate weekly plan instead... Need to improve my ways!

    Rita
    http://heyrita.co.uk

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  6. I love these ideas! My husband and I just moved in to our first home (!!!) and there's still SO much to do, but I want to get back in to blogging - it's been seriously neglected. The reason I usually get lazy about doing things and staying organized is from not having the energy or motivation to do whatever my task is. Since I've been eating clean, I have a TON more energy and I feel happier. I've noticed that more and more things are getting done on my to-do list. I've also noticed that things get done when I actually write them down instead of telling myself to remember, haha!

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  7. Good ideas, I'd love to read more about your editorial calender to help me optimize mine.

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  8. Very great and helpful ideas, please please pleeease do a post on the editorial calander - I'm super interested in it!

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  9. I've various papers filled with ideas. It's most annoying because they are scattered everywhere! I'm not disciplined enough to keep a book around.

    Anceeta.com

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  10. I've tried editorial calendar both for my personal blog and for my business' Facebook page, but I always find it hard to keep on following it. I need more tips on how to actually stick to the editorial calendar :(

    Love, Dara
    Hola Darla

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  11. Ive always wanted to try reading business books I feel like they would be a little kick start!

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  12. (Btw...love the name of your blog...)
    Great ideas! Lately I've been struggling with a bit of lack of inspiration so my productivity levels were on the floor, I'll check some of those app and see if I can get back no track!

    Jules- http://thekiwidiaries.com

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HEY! Thanks for dropping by. xo KB