Creative Ways to Increase Productivity: Doodling!

Every once in a while I get writers block. (Okay fine, it happens often). I do a variety of things to break down my writers block. Sometimes I stare off into space and let my mind wander while I listen to music until it settles on something I can write about. Other times I have to simply start writing and see what happens. Those techniques work most of the time. When they don't, I have to resort to more drastic measures: doodling.

No, you didn't read that wrong, I did say doodling. I doodle to literally get my creative juices flowing, as well as getting my brain in the mood to focus. It allows my mind to relax and open up to new ideas that may pop up.

You don't believe that it works? Here are three riveting facts about doodling:

productivity, creativityCarolina Da SilvaOctober 26, 2015tips and tricks

Creating Accountability as a Freelancer: 3 Tips & Tricks

When I first started as a freelancer, I quickly took to the life style of being able to control my own hours. I absolutely love the freedom that comes with being able to work on my own— no one is setting a schedule for me, or expecting me in at work at a certain time, or telling me I can’t take vacation whenever I want. Honestly it’s one of the best perks of the job.

However, as with many other things in life, there’s a downside to this kind of freedom: it comes with a lot of personal responsibility and accountability. That was a struggle for me early on in life, and one that I have worked on through the years. Thankfully now I have years of experience behind me. Hopefully I can help someone starting out now with accountability as a freelancer.

productivitySamer AbousalbiOctober 19, 2015freelancer, freelancing, tips and tricks, accountability

What is Productivity anyway?

We talk a lot about productivity and being a “productivity hacker” or “productivity guru”. As a culture, we spend a lot of time working to increase our productivity and always selling the next best thing to get you there. What exactly is productivity though?

productivitySamer AbousalbiOctober 16, 2015

Time sheets made simple: Why we made TimeTag

Time keeping should be a relatively simple process. If you strip away all the frills, time keeping is as simple as a start time and a stop time. The activity then can be described later, and time sheets can be put together with all the check in and check out times.

That was the origin story of our TimeTag - Time Management app. We felt that with all the other time keeping apps out there, they asked too much of you when all you wanted to do was start a timer—especially if you were in a hurry to start your activity, like starting a call with a client. That’s why our app features “The Big Green Button” at launch, making it simple to start the timer and immediately exit the app. Coming back later is simple and you can add the tag/description at any time. That was the original vision of the app, and today we’re still committed to that.

productivitySamer AbousalbiOctober 8, 2015time tracking, time management, timetag

Practical Productivity Tips: Take on less work

I read a quote recently about organizing your stuff in a minimalistic type of way. I’m paraphrasing here but it basically said that the best way to organize all your stuff is to get rid of it. In other words, having way less things means way less need to organize. Your room, house, office, etc, all stay organized because there just isn’t anything to clutter it.

I am a big believer in minimizing distractions, reducing clutter, and living simply. If something doesn’t provide value to me now or won’t provide value to me in the near future, I get rid of it (typically donating it if I can). Someone else can get way more use of it, and I’m better for it— it’s one less thing in my life to think about.

The same can be said for your professional life as a freelancer. Today's practical productivity tips are all about reducing the 'professional clutter' in your life.

Professionally speaking, the best way to organize yourself and maximize your productivity is to take on less work. Being overcommitted to 5, 10 or more projects can sound like you’re being super productive. People may notice how busy you are and how many clients you have, and think: wow, good for you! You’re a rockstar and have so many clients!

productivitySamer AbousalbiOctober 2, 2015tips and tricks

Practical Productivity Tips: Use Routines To Get More Done

Routines get a bad rap. Whenever I hear the word routine, my first thought is that it's like you’re in a rut, and you aren’t exciting or spontaneous. That’s just not true though— routines are actually really great life hacks, and can open you up to being more spontaneous and interesting. If you're interested in maximizing your productivity, then learning about the power of routines is one simple way to get the most out of your day.

Routines, at least in the context of a daily schedule, can free your mind up to think on other things. Your brain gets used to routines and starts processing them using the more primitive, and automatic part of our brain. That means that you higher functioning brain (the neocortex) can focus on way more interesting things. As an example, this is basically the process that occurs when you finally learn how to drive (or ride a bike, or do any new task).

productivitySamer AbousalbiSeptember 28, 2015tips and tricks, freelancer, freelancing

The Productivity Monk