Being organized is something I love and need in my life. Without organization, life and all the tasks I have on hand becomes difficult to accomplish. However, being consistent with organization, especially when it comes to my content, is something I struggle with from time to time.
Not because I don’t know how but rather I sometimes lack the energy and motivation to be organized. Sometimes, when I’m so tired or don’t have the time, I throw organization out the window.
With the new year, I’m trying to be more consistent with being and staying organized. It’s essential to be organized when there’s so much content to plan, create, edit, and publish.
From my blog and YouTube channel to my social media accounts, Newsbreak account, this account, and other endeavors I’m trying to pursue, organization is crucial. You need a system in place to keep track of your work, stay on top of everything, and ensure content is being produced and put out in a timely manner.
This is one of my goals for 2023 that I’m working on: staying organized with my content. Here is the system I’ve come up with and the apps I use that are currently helping me with staying organized:
Trello
Recently, I found out about this app called Trello. Trello is a list making and project management tool. You can easily create boards, tasks, and cool backgrounds to help you with task completion.
What I've done is create different boards based on the type of content I produce. I have separate boards for blogging, this platform, YouTube, social media, and more. Within each board, you can create different "lists", which can be whatever you want them to be. Within each list, you type out the tasks, ideas, whatever it is that you need to do or get done.
Like I said, I created different boards based on my content. Within the board "blogging", I have several lists. One list lists the post ideas I'd like to write, another list has the posts I'm currently writing. The next list has the posts that need to be edited, while another list has posts that I've completed.
It's been super helpful with getting my tasks and ideas down on the screen, and allowing me to easily move those tasks or ideas into the appropriate list based on my progress. That way, I have a visual of my content progress.
GoodNotes
I've had this app for about two years now. I LOVE this app for note taking, creating colorful documents or itineraries, and planning out my content.
You can create single pages, folders, notebooks, or import your own document to take notes, make lists, plan your day/week/month, and so much more! I have multiple folders in here where I've taken notes for my travels, created itineraries, create lists of ideas and products I'd like to sell, and more.
I got this app prior to getting Trello. This is the oldest app that I have using for list making, note taking, and planning.
Flourish Planner
I recently discovered Flourish Planner on YouTube. She helps people with planning, goal setting, and productivity so they can have a better lifestyle. This is where I found out that she creates these digital planners.
Since I have an iPad and love digital planning, I figured I'd purchase one of her yearly planners. It cost $25 for the undated 2023 planner but I've been loving it so far! It's been super helpful with creating yearly and monthly goals, weekly and monthly priorities, and planning out my day and week so I can be organized and on top of what I need to get done.
I imported the digital download to GoodNotes. There, I use the note taking app to write in this digital planner. So far, so good and I cannot wait to continue to use it throughout the year to help me remain organized and consistent.
How I use them all together
How do I use these things altogether to stay organized and consistent?
I start out by looking at the Trello app. Any ideas I have, progress I've made, things I'd like to do, I take note of it. If I need to add something, I type it into one of the lists I've created.
From there, I go into the Flourish Planner and create my weekly and daily schedule. I create weekly and monthly goals I'd like to accomplish, along with my top priorities for each week and day. Based off the ideas I have, progress I've made, my goals, and things I'd like to do, I create a to do list. Tasks and general things I need to do in order to work towards or fulfill my goals. In addition, I also plan out each day and create a schedule.
I used to create to do lists but not a daily schedule to help me get those tasks done. What I found was that I procrastinated a lot, thought the tasks I had to do were too much, and ended up not completing anything. But with a daily schedule, I can create time to complete the tasks I have. That way, I can visually see how these tasks can fit into my day, ensuring that they (or most of them) get done.
Lastly, I use the GoodNotes app in the mix when needed. If one of my goals is to sell a digital product (which is in my Trello app), and I've set it as a monthly goal in my Flourish Planner, I have to break down that huge goal. There's a lot that goes into creating and selling a digital product online. I have to do some research, dedicate time to creating it, figure out how to create it (depending on what it is), etc. Meaning, I have to break down the goal I have.
That's where GoodNotes comes in. I use one of my folders to take notes and information I've researched for my goal. I break it down even further, add what's needed, and how long it should take me to do it. Then, with those notes, I transfer it into weekly tasks in my Flourish Planner. As I make progress, I cross of the task in my planner and move the task from the "idea" list to the "progress" list in the Trello app.
This system allows me to:
keep my ideas, information, tasks, and research organized
create and stick to a routine
create and stick to a schedule
create weekly and monthly goals to achieve
have a visual of that things I need to do to produce content
I'm loving this system so far and I cannot wait to see the progress I've made!