Are you an APP fan? I try to not have too many on my phone, and I restrict anything that I think will cause background usage on my phone. I am always on the hunt for business apps that will make me more efficient.

As I started trying to move away from any paper based anything, I was very interested being fully digital. My beef with electronic Calendars, notes apps or to do list apps is that once you close the app, that task or appointment is out of sight/ out of mind. The truth is, the same is true if you write something down – if you don’t go look at the list that you wrote down, you might as well not even bother writing it down. Electronic organization can actually me much more effective – that is, once you know how to set the apps up.

I started using “Reminders” on the iPhone (the native to do list app on the iPhone). I wasn’t a fan, so I started looking for another “To Do” app. I came across “Things”. I really like this app. I can set up reminders in any category I want (I have Callaway, Home and Personal). I then set up a notification on the app so I get a badge when I have a task that is due. Finally, I set up a Widget on my widget page on my iPhone that shows the Callaway tasks whenever I swipe there on my phone.

I can give a task a due date. If it’s due in the future, the notification badge doesn’t appear until the task is “due”. I can create a checklist with a task – say I see you and I need to order you a demo driver, drop off some balls, and set up a fitting event. I can enter that in ONE task with three parts – then, when I check off each part, the main task (you) stays active. I can copy emails (parts of them) into the body of a task and give it a due date. I can copy text from a text message and set it up as a task. It’s easier if you have all of your To Do’s in one place.

If you’re a list maker, try doing this electronically. It eliminates the need to write, re-write, and update a to do list. You can view your completed tasks. It works with dictation, so you can talk to the phone instead of typing. It’s a very versatile app. There are many out there that do similar things. I just happen to use this one. Try them and see if you can turn your phone into a digital notepad. Doing so, will greatly reduce the amount of clutter on your desk. Found one you like?? Let me know what it is!!

Your work, your way.

Happy Professionalism. Enjoy your work/ life balance.