Writers’ productivity software – lists and more lists

In freelance writing, time is money, especially since you spend so much time on tasks which while important, aren’t chargeable to a client, like developing your own Web sites and various marketing tasks.

So it’s essential to have tools to manage your time.

If it’s not on a list, it won’t get done

I’m a fan of lists. I even have lists of lists, which seems silly, but it stops stuff falling through the cracks.

Currently my primary task managers are Highrise, which is a Web app, and helps me to manage client and student tasks, and TaskPaper, which helps me manage the rest.

I hesitated to download Mac-only TaskPaper, but I’m glad I did, because it’s proving to be surprisingly useful.

I use Mac’s iCal for appointments and recurring tasks, and Highrise, but I thought TaskPaper might help me to manage the index cards and steno pads cluttering my physical desk.

I use index cards and steno pads to make notes on daily tasks, but there’s a challenge with a paper-based system – it’s not easily searchable, and once you discard the paper, it’s gone. (My daily notes aren’t worth filing – they’re just brief outlines and mind maps.)

TaskPaper is proving a real gem in cutting down on the paper – I add items to TaskPaper as I work, and can archive items at a click.

If you’re trying to improve your productivity, check out “Five tips for writing productively: up your word count today” on the writing blog.

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