Time – the most wanted and most needed aspect in anyone’s life. To a blogger or an online business person it is far more wanted.
Why? Because “online” is a place full of distractions and we never know or have total control of how our time is spent, right?
Even though we set all sorts of defense measures (like turning off chat, logging out of Facebook, etc.) we are still haunted by something else – information overload.
We might be writing a blog post and in the middle of it, we might want to browse for some additional information – there we go! Some might even end up on gaming sites lol.
Well, I won’t complain since we are all human beings.
Sure, we must be sincere in what we do (the real “work” as a blogger) at the same time we have to realize the fact that we are not some programmed bot. We tend to go off tangent here and there and that’s totally natural.
So here is the motivation for this post.
I currently work full time as a Scientist (although that Chapter is going to end very soon) and run 5 blogs + a handful of niche sites.
Jane Sheeba (the one you are reading)
are my 5 main blogs – where I do all the “writing” part. On my niche sites, most of the work is outsourced – but it still takes a lot of work to “manage” all the sites.
And I quite frequently get emails and shout outs from my friends and readers about how I manage my time. The most recent one was in the form of a comment from Holly 
That’s a cool comment isn’t?
And I always get emails from my email subscribers asking to share the tools and tips I use. So instead of writing email every time, I thought I could make a post!
OK don’t set yourself in a “hype” mode since I am not going to reveal any secret weapon. The tools I use are most probably already known to you; but I’m not sure how (or if) you use it.
OK so let’s dive in.
If you prefer watching a colorful presentation before reading the post, here it is
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A simple task management tool
You should have heard about Astrid. This is a cool, simple task management tool.
The thing I love about this tool is it is simple, yet effective (in other words, it just works and serves the purpose).
I know many of you are not very good at maintaining and executing a to-do list. Yes even I am a victim of that thought.
Creating an account is very simple, but I would strongly recommend you to connect your Google account with Astrid instead of creating a new account. This way, managing and following up tasks become a lot more easier.
Create lists
If I want to manage tasks pertaining to different aspects of your life, I certainly need to create lists – like for tasks related to home, personal tasks, blogging related tasks, etc.
Lists basically help you group your tasks in some fashion that is handy to you.
Create tasks with deadline
This is the basic feature of any time management tool, not just Astrid.
Whenever I add a task I always put a deadline to it. Every task needs a deadline, otherwise I’m never gonna do that
I also put a more specific time stamp deadline – like finish tasks XX by “date” by “time”.
Sync as much as possible
Depending upon the gadgets you own, sync Astrid on whatever device you are using.
I have installed the Astrid app for Android to use on my Samsung Galaxy Tab. The app goes crazy and reminds me like anything when I leave a task overdue (unattended).
It literally kicks me in the but to get it done, even if I am not on my computer.
Astrid for iPhone can be got here.
Add more hands, if possible
Astrid has the ability to invite friends into your space and you can go about assigning tasks to them.
So if you have VAs or office staff, you can assign, manage, and keep track of the tasks (and their performance) with Astrid.
I have two wonderful people to help me with my business: my hubby and his cousin. My hubby helps me so I don’t assign him tasks on Astrid (just to be bit polite lol).
But his cousin is the Content Manager and Head Organizer for my biz (paid position) so he has lots of responsibilities. Hence I assign and keep track of the tasks to him via Astrid. Similarly he assigns tasks to me that need my attention.
This way we both are able co-ordinate and get more work done in an organized manner.
OK that’s enough of me blabbering about Astrid. You may check out its features (they have a premium plan as well) here.
Evernote
This is a wonderful tool – although not directly related to task management, Evernote can help you with organizing a lot of stuff.
Just like Astrid, Evernote has app for Android, iPhone and other devices, plus the cool Web Clipper which I love.
I clip web pages as I browse them and if they inspire me for blog post ideas. I group the ideas (web clips) into the different blog names I run, so I use them when I write blog posts for the corresponding blogs.
Again, I sync my account data on my Tab so when I am on travel or otherwise, I am still able to browse and capture blog post ideas. Moreover I can also work on those ideas which I have already clipped.
I also use Evernote to collect (clip) blog posts to comment. I save them on a “to comment” notebook and get back to that notebook once every two days or so.
In addition to the above mentioned methods, you can also use Evernote in various other ways. Check out this post by David.
Takeaway
Here you have it, 2 simple but effective tools I use for managing my work online (as a part time blogger as of now) and a few handy tips as promised.
One size doesn’t fit all, as always. So the fact that these tools work for me doesn’t mean that they will work for you too.
But I so strongly recommend you to check out these tool and make actual use of them (instead of leaving this post without taking any action) and see for yourself.
You’ve got to try to see if these tools can help you or not.
They help me in a wonderful manner.
Please share any other task management tools you use and any tips you might have.
If you found this post useful, don’t forget to share it in your social circle.
About Jane
“Time is Money” ! I have been listening this from my childhood but when I was a kid I didn’t know actually the value of time But as now I do a full time job and managing 2 blogs then I can say that I know the value if time. Proper time management is needed for getting success.
Jane, I never heard of Astrid, but I will be checking both tools out today.I love your blog posts you’ve really help me. I have no idea why I use my smartphone to tweet/connect to the internet,while I’m working at my laptop. A #badhabit & I’m trying to quit.I’m hoping Astrid might keep me on task.Please check out mtg blog if you have a chance as a newbie I would appreciate any feedback you might give. Great post! Thanks for all you do.
Currently i am also Doing My Project, Study and Working on 3 Blog Sites. Its really very much Difficult to manage all task. BTW i am using Evernote from 2 to 3 Months.
Thanks for this new tool Astrid. Would love to use it.
Thanks.
Yes Amit Astrid is good; try and see
Actually I use Astrid all the time (more than evernote); can’t do without it.
Excellent post Jane, I will be checking out Astrid, and I always try to sync everything, somethings work better than others. I am trying to use gmail on my browser more and get rid of MS outlook
I never heard of Astrid before. Its always nice to find different applications that help manage all the tasks and appointments i have. I will definitely check this out. As far as Evernote, I currently use it and cant say enough about it. Keep up the informative post.
You’re welcome gilroy
I love the Astrid app and I can’t wait to download it too! I love tools that remind me of the tasks I need to accomplish. Thank you Jane.
You’re welcome Joy. Yes Astrid really gets you to do stuff!
Loved your post, Jane. This tools really looks great and pretty helpful. I have been using evernote and it is indeed a good one. You are surely one heck of a busy person and I am sure it takes a lot to manage so much.
Richa, that’s right. I can’t imagine how I could do without these handy tools lol.
It’s so true that we get easily distracted when we’re working online, these tools are very interesting and will definitely aid in productivity. Thanks!
Try them out Kristine
They’re very useful.
I would recommend checking out http://www.Gtdagenda.com for an online task manager.
You can use it to manage your goals, projects and tasks, set next actions and contexts, use checklists, and a calendar.
Syncs with Evernote, and also comes with mobile-web version, and Android and iPhone apps.
Thanks for the recommendation Dan; I’ll check it out!
Hey Jane,
Thanks for sharing this useful insight on the time management tools. We all crib about the lack of time since time immemorial. Hats off to you, for managing so many tasks efficiently at a single go. I never heard about Astrid, but the attributes you described here, seems enticing. I will surely try out, so as to manage my time and the numerous task in the best of the manner.
Am a regular follower of many of your blogs and admire you greatly. You are an inspiration to many women who would like to take up Blogging full time. Blogging is not easy as many tend to think-it is tremendous hard work and research etc. To think that you manage a family, a full time job as well as several blogs is something totally admirable. Thanks for being an inspiration.
I just loved this post Jane! Being optimistic is the best thing in life. When one is optimistic about life, the problems of the life are never in a position to overpower the person. The benefits highlighted in this post are so true and apt. Thanks for sharing these wonderful thoughts.
These are some great tips that bloggers can use to help them succeed in getting everything done on time. I like that you have an app that tells you what to do!
Thanks for the comprehensive review and introduction. Frankly, I’ve never heard about Astrid but it seems nifty enough for me to consider.
One more technique on adding the web clipper to Evernote:
You’ll need iCloud running on a Mac. Then go to Safari and setup the Evernote web clipper (drag it to bookmarks bar).
Next, enable iCloud on your iPhone or other mobile devices such as an iPad mini. Then open mobile Safari and check your bookmarks. You should see your new bookmarks which were transferred from your Mac via iCloud.
Hmm, really great tools here. I’ve heard of Evernote before now but have not really tried it out. But for my needs right now I think Astrid will just do. Thanks for this info.