Professional Divas Must Have...

Toodledo

Greetings Divas! Here we are at the beginning of a new work week...I’ll wait for the collective sigh! If you are anything like me, you cherish Sunday afternoons. Not just because there's a Real Housewives of Atlanta marathon on Bravo, but it is a time to plan and prepare for the upcoming week. I find that taking a few minutes to plan and prepare for the week helps me to be more efficient and productive during the week. As I stated in my previous post, “Preparation Is Key,” I take the time to plan what I will do each day at work, as well as what I will do before and after work. In doing so, I prioritize the things I need to accomplish, the things I want to accomplish, and any “extracurricular” activities I plan to get into during the week. Sounds a little neurotic? That may be true, but it helps me to maintain my sanity!

Over the past year, I have been using Toodledo to help me get my life in order. What its Toodledo you ask? Well, Toodledo is an online task and note manager that helps to improve your overall productivity. It allows you to enter, prioritize, and categorize your various to-do lists in an easy to use, online format. You can assign start dates and due dates to tasks, and use audible pop-up alarms for tasks with approaching due dates. Toodledo also allows you to create folders to categorize your tasks. There is even a feature that lets you create notes. It is the perfect tool for Professional Divas with a lot on their proverbial plates. Still with me?

Another great thing about Toodledo is that its basic version is free! And it’s not the kind of free that doesn’t allow you to take advantage of all of its great features. In case you’re interested, there is a Pro version ($14.95 per year) and a Pro Plus version ($29.95 per year). These advance versions allow you to create subtasks for project management.  They also allow you to use a scheduler, which allows you to specify how much time you have available to work and makes suggestions as to those tasks that can be completed in that amount of time. These versions are a little bit too fancy for me, but it can really be useful to other professionals depending on their current needs.

iPad App

iPod App

Just so you know, there’s and app for this! There is an excellent Toodledo app for the iPhone and the iPad, and there is a compatible app for Android phones. The apps sync seamlessly with the online program, and are perfect for adding tasks on the go.  And for those of you who use another to-do-list application, such as Outlook, Toodledo allows you to quickly and painlessly import your tasks.

In sum, I am so in love with Toodledo and the way it helps me organize and plan my hectic life. I seriously have folders for work items, home items, blog items, etc. I am almost positive that Toodledo can help you get your mind right! For more information on Toodledo, check out Toodledo.com. In the spirit of sharing….!

Have a great week Divas! And don’t forget to work and play hard!

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Preparation Is Key!!!

"By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail." 

 

How many times have you heard this saying? I’ve heard it more times than I can count, and it never gets old. In fact, I take it heart. As Professional Divas, I believe that it is important to prepare and plan for the work week in order to maximize productivity. As you may already know, I am a big proponent of balancing my personal and professional lives to achieve a well-balanced life. What you may not know is that every Sunday, I sit at my dining room table and plan my week. I plan what I will do each day at work, as well as what I will do before and after work. It may sound strange, but actually seeing what I need and want to accomplish each week makes me more efficient. Maybe it is psychological, but it works for me! In the spirit of sharing, I wanted to let you in on my planning process.

First, I make a list of all the tasks I need to accomplish during the week at work.  I then make a separate list of the tasks that I want to accomplish. There is a difference, and distinguishing between the two makes it easier to prioritize tasks.

Second, I make a list of those things I want to accomplish before and after work. This varies from week to week. I like to go to gym every day before or after work, so I typically plan for this. I also like to cook at least 3 times a week.  I definitely make time to work on my blog, and network with my fellow bloggers.

Third, I list any “extracurricular” activities that I plan to participate in during the week. It may be an after work happy hour, or a Yankees game, or a family get together.

Once I have my lists together, I begin to plan my week. I actually break out my notebook and pen, and write down my weekly schedule (real old school like!). I first add my extracurricular activities, along with the time I plan to attend the specified event. I then add the task I need to accomplish at work, and then those thing I want to accomplish before and after work. Finally, I add the tasks I want to accomplish at work where time permits. These things are not mandatory, but if I can get them done, I win!

And there it is! It usually takes me about 30 minutes to an hour to crank out my plan, but it makes a world of a difference when my crazy work week starts. I understand that this form of preparation may not be for everyone, but I emphatically believe that some form of preparation and planning is necessary. After all, failure to plan is planning to fail. And Professional Divas should never plan to fail!

Have a fabulous and productive week!

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