There are so many incredible tools and resources for bloggers, small business owners, freelancers, solopreneurs, and creative entrepreneurs.
But these seven are the must-haves, the essentials, and the absolutes. All of which will help you get DOING and make those goals happen.
1. Planning and Scheduling Tool
It’s so important to find (and use) a planning and scheduling tool that works for you, your business, and your life. What do I mean by this?
Basically, a diehard pen-and-paper person probably won’t be very successful with an app-based system, and a true techie will probably lose that day planner within a day of getting it home. Or maybe you’re a mix of the two.
More Scheduling and Planning Tools:
iCal
Google Calendar
Calendly
Trello
2. Project and Task Manager
Whether you’re a blogger, small business owner, freelancer, solopreneur, mompreneur, or creative entrepreneur, you probably have a lot of tasks or projects to manage.
If you at any time this past year had a hard time keeping track of anything and everything, then I suggest you make it a goal to look into and start using a project and task manager.
Between my phone, my iPad, my computer, my planner, my brainstorming notebook, sticky notes, and scratch paper, I thought I was keeping track of everything
How very silly (and wrong) of me. Midway through the year, I started using Trello. And it might have been the best business decision I made this year.
Everything from blog post ideas to newsletter topics and ebook ideas to my editorial calendar to site updates to monthly duty day tasks to big dreams and goals (and so much more) now live in Trello.
It’s a huge stress relief to have everything in one place, color-coded, and organized.
More Task and Project Managers:
3. Goal Setting and Planning Worksheets
Writing down your goals and keeping them in plain sight is a good way to keep yourself accountable and actually make things happen.
Every time you see them, you’ll be reminded (and hopefully inspired) to keep working towards them.
You don’t have to use actual bonafide goal setting or planning worksheets if you don’t want to.
A simple piece of paper with your goals (and action steps) written down will work just fine. Just remember to keep them in plain sight.
I once read about a woman who kept her goals on the refrigerator door. Not only did she see them every time she went into the fridge for something, but so did everyone who came into her kitchen. It kept her accountable and was a great conversation starter.
Recommended Resource: Blog Planner and Organizer Printable
4. Social Media Scheduler
Let’s be honest; scheduling social media is time-consuming, tedious, and requires a lot of creative thought and strategy.
Using a social media scheduler (especially one that loops your posts) will make that part of blogging and business so much easier.
Currently, the only scheduling tool I use is Tailwind. I use Tailwind to schedule pins on Pinterest.
More Social Media Schedulers:
CoSchedule
Buffer
Meet Edgar
Tailwind
Later
Recommended Resource: MiloTree is a smart popup that helped me reach over 25,000 Pinterest followers! It can be used for Instagram, Facebook, email, and more. Try for 30 days FREE.
5. Balanced App
We’re all trying to find that perfect balance between work and life. It’s a real struggle sometimes.
But the fact of the matter is, balance is going to look different for everyone. Only you can determine what it’ll look like for you.
That’s why I love the Balanced app. You can set it up to remind you to do things like meditate, read, drink some water, go for a run, call an old friend, check your posture, celebrate a win, catch up on news, take a deep breath, set goals, or create your own.
You can also control how many times a day, week, month, or year you want to be reminded to do something.
I personally love that it will also check back in if you’ve opened the app, but haven’t set anything yet. It really helps to break up my day and reminds me to be good to myself (which is so important when you work for yourself).
6. Secure File Sharing and Cloud Storage
If you have a team or work with multiple devices, it’s time to look into secure file sharing and cloud storage (if you haven’t already).
I set up a shared folder in my Dropbox so I can store and share files, photos, and documents.
More Secure File Sharing and Storage:
7. Distraction Limiting and Time Tracking Software
Raise your hand if limiting distractions is one of your goals.
Distractions are everywhere, and they’re so enticing. But they’re also crippling. I honestly don’t even want to know how much time I spend on Twitter some days.
I’d rather stick with being blissfully unaware of the number and do something about distractions anyway.
I lumped distraction limiting software and time tracking software in one because oftentimes they work together or as one.
Other apps will literally lock you out of distracting websites (i.e. Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube) for a set amount of time and won’t let you back in until that time is up (basically forcing you to buckle down and get to work).
More Distraction Limiting & Time Tracking Apps:
Toggl
RescueTime
Stayfocused
Self Control App
You can also just type X minute timer into Google or use the timer on your phone.
With all these tools to help you get doing, you should be so ready to go.
I don’t want you to let your goals sit around and collect dust. Goals are just a to-do list waiting to happen.
And if there’s one thing we creatives like to do, it’s cross things off of our to-do list. So line up your tools and get DOING.