Time Management Tools and Resources I Actually Use

While taking my students through my Time to Shine online course I promised to share some time management tools and tips with them. These are the tools, courses, books, and other resources that I find to be so very helpful in managing my time.

Once I started putting together all of the details, I thought you might benefit from this too.

I know there are tons of tools out there, so I’m barely scratching the surface. The truth is though, I’ve tried lots of apps, tools, techniques and resources. Some start off really well and I stick with them. But many fall by the wayside.

What you’ll find here is my mega list of time management tools and resources that I actually use.

This post includes affiliate links which means if you purchase using a link here, I may receive a commission that helps to support this site. Please know that I only share products/resources that I love and trust and which I believe will benefit you. See my full disclosure policy here. 

Time Management Tools and Resources

Today, I’m throwing back the curtain to share with you the things that help me manage multiple writing deadlines, build a community on social media, deliver results as the president of two professional associations and vice president of the PTA Board,  tutor my management & leadership students, manage my household, and so on and so on.

After you go through this list I’d love to hear from you about your favorite tools.

Also, let me know if you’ve tried any of these and whether or not you found them helpful.

Scheduling

Google Calendar – this is by far my most used tool when it comes to managing my time. Of course, Google Calendar is free with a Google account and what I love about this is that it syncs across all my devices. So, whether I’m on my phone, my computer or tablet, I can easily access my calendar. It’s where I keep appointments, reminders and ultimately, this is what keeps my schedule on track.

Todoist – If you love to-do lists you’ll probably love this free app. Todoist lets you keep track of everything in one place, so you can get it all done and enjoy more peace of mind along the way.

I’m new to Todoist but the fact that it syncs with my Google calendar is a win-win.

Make Over Your Evenings – This course by Crystal Paine has really caused me to rethink the way I plan my days, starting from the night before. It’s an online 14-day course which teaches you how to maximize your evenings to experience “more success in your life, more order in your home, and more joy in your soul. Seriously.

Email Management

Unroll Me – I don’t know about you but my inbox can get very unruly. In order to reign it in I use this free app. Unroll Me allows me to unsubscribe from unwanted emails instantly. The subscriptions I do want are put into a nice, neat daily digest that I can read (or skim) at my convenience.

Social Media Scheduling

If you’re on social media quite a bit, particularly if you’re sharing content across various platforms, you’ll want the flexibility of scheduling your posts. It’s no secret that a scheduler is one of the most popular time management tools for bloggers. Here are a few I like to use.

Buffer – this allows you to schedule posts on Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Google+ and LinkedIn. Like wow!

You can choose from the free or paid versions. The difference is in the number of accounts you can share to and how many posts you can schedule in a given period. I always suggest getting a feel for the free version before upgrading to a paid plan.

Hootsuite – Similar to Buffer, this allows you to schedule posts to your social media accounts. However, Hootsuite also has a content curation feature which you can use to find content to share as well.

MissingLettr – Now, this is where genius shows up. MissingLettr takes your already created content and generates suggested snippets for you to share on social media over a 12-month period. All you have to do is review, edit as necessary and share away. So, I can have a post that is automatically shared over the next year, without me having to think about it. Like, I said, genius.

Again, there are free and paid versions but if you’re a blogger or content creator, I’d say this is one you’ll want to work into your budget. It’s worth it.

As a special offer, when you use my link you’ll get 50% off any MissingLettr plan for the first three months.

Or you can sign up for one of their monthly webinars here to check it out first.

Systems and Methods

While these are not necessarily time management tools, you might want to try these approaches to time management to find what works best for you.

Time blocking – this is where you block out periods of time to work on a group of related tasks. This works well to help me give focused attention to a particular activity instead of jumping from one to the other in a short space of time.

Habit stacking – the idea behind this is to establish one habit at a time. Spend at least 21 days on that one thing before adding another habit to it.

Pomodoro Technique – this technique suggests that you break down tasks into manageable 25-minute chunks with a short break in between. After four 25-minute blocks, you take a longer break.

Accountability and Support

Accountability Partner – this is someone who can keep you accountable to the things you said you would do.

Support group – what better way to stay on track than to have the support of others who are moving in a similar direction?

Coaching – having a coach in your corner will inspire you to stick to your guns (or change directions). But either way, this is a great way to get one-on-one personalized support or in a small group setting.

Goal Setting Resources

Spark Success Goals Planner – this is my very own best-selling planner which has been a hit with my readers for the last three years. It’s more than a simple calendar, it’s my tried and true approach to setting goals with intention. You can get this year’s version on sale now so that you can finish the year strong and set yourself up for a successful new year.

Grace Goals – this method of goal setting was developed by my first blogging mentor, Arabah Joy. Grace Goals is totally unique in that it lays the foundation necessary for real transformation in your life. It’s delivered in a workbook format or with video teachings that go along with it.

Mindset about Time Management

Often, managing our time has more to do with our mindset than the actual time management tools we use. For me, as a driven (some might say, Type-A) personality, I find that I often have to encourage myself to practice soul care and rest. You’ll find some of these resources geared toward that particular mindset, while others are helpful for time management in general.

Books:

Click on each link to read more about the book and check out the reviews on Amazon.

Whispers of Rest by Bonnie Gray

Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequest

Why Her? 6 Truths We Need to Hear When Measuring Up Leaves Us Falling Behind  by Nicki Koziarz

The Fringe Hours: Making Time for You by Jessica N. Turner

Courses:

Choose Rest Course by Gina M. Poirier

I loved the Biblical principles that Gina Poirier shared in this course. It really took me back to the heart of why rest is so important and why I shouldn’t feel guilty about it.

STRESSless Free Email Course by Gina M. Poirier

This is a new video series that Gina launched recently. I bought her Choose Rest course some time ago and was so impressed that I’m now looking forward to the content she’ll share in this free series.

How about you?

So there you have it, my favorite, most used, most loved time management tools and resources. Now it’s your turn.

Have you tried any of these resources? Do you have any you’d like to add to the list?

Let me know in the comments.

Wishing you blessings,

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