The key to achievement is consistent action in the right direction. Here are 6 of the tools I use to plan and manage my projects (both personal and professional) to ensure I keep taking the right actions.
Mindnode
Mindnode is a mind mapping tool. I use it for brainstorming new projects, new strategies and new businesses. For example, I used it to develop the StartNow.Club brand and blog. I put all my ideas about what I wanted to do, what I thought the brand was about, what needed testing etc. into Mindnode. Then I arranged it into groupings that enabled execution.
Evernote
I use Evernote a lot. I’ve been using it for years as my virtual notebook. One way I use it is to develop checklists for my projects. So, once I have all my ideas organised in Mindnode, I create lists of tasks that need to be completed for each project. For example, I created a list of all the tasks I needed to do to launch the StartNow.Club blog in a note. I love Evernote’s tick box feature for this. Creating lists of tasks enables me to think through the logistics of executing my projects ensuring I start with the first thing first.
Nozbe
When I’m working by myself, I manage my projects, both personal and professional, with Nozbe. Nozbe is a task management tool based on the famous productivity book Getting Things Done by David Allen. If you’re a fan of David’s GTD method and you’re looking for a digital solution, Nozbe is worth checking out. Nozbe contains all the features you need to use David’s GTD system including the ability to tag items by how much time they’ll take.
Monday
When I’m working in a team I prefer to use Monday for task management. Monday has a simple to use interface which allows you to assign tasks to specific people. The status of the task is readily visible so at a glance, you can see where your team members are up to and what’s blocking them.
OmniPlan
Sometimes you just need a Gantt Chart. OmniPlan Is Apple’s response to Microsoft Project. It’s more affordable, it’s simple to use and it’s effective for more complicated projects that are time-dependent. The key to using Gantt Charts is to identify the critical tasks that must be completed in order to complete the project and any dependencies for those tasks. You list your tasks down the left-hand side then assign time frames and plot dependencies.
Using a tool that works for you is a great way to ensure you keep focused and maintain consistent action.
What tools have you found helpful in managing your projects? Let me know in the comments below.
Related Posts:
Further Resources:
Getting Things Done by David Allen
Eat that Frog by Brian Tracy
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