There are a zillion productivity tools on the market that are designed to help you beat overload and get more done each day.

Some of the solutions are high-tech, some are lower-tech. Some are better for big companies, others are good for small companies and families.

On balance, here are the things we couldn’t live without:

List Manager

Some we like are Evernote, Remember the Milk and Toodle-Do.  A small ring binder with tabs works too, but there’s no sync/backup that way!

Shared Calendar

We like electronic calendars because they’re quick and easy to update, share with others and carry around (handheld sync). Google calendar and Microsoft Exchange are our favourites.

A Good Handheld Device

Our choices are Blackberry or iPhone for calls, email, SMS, calendar, electronic lists, access to online apps and music/white noise. Remember that these gadgets have off switches, voice mail and autoresponders. YOU are in control.

Integrated Email/Task Manager

Microsoft Outlook or Entourage – configured well and used wisely, these are fantastic. Out of the box and without a smart system, they’re just big, dumb email programs

Project Management Tools

We love Mind Manager (for whole brain thinking and collaborative planning) and Teamwork (linear but brilliant platform for driving action).

Filed under: Tools