Show and Tell Productivity special - How Skiffmates get stuff done
Show and Tell is a weekly meet-up for members of The Skiff co-working community. Members spend five minutes talking about their work, a side project or a problem, with five minutes afterwards for questions
This week, we decided to turn Show and Tell into a productivity special. We asked Skiffmates to share their tips and tricks to tacking to-do lists, managing workload and getting stuff done.
It was the busiest Show and Tell for a while … and we’re planning more themed Show and Tells in the future. Thank you to all of our speakers this week!
Mike Hadlow spoke first — sharing how he uses Github to host static websites. It’s a simple process if you already use Github, and makes setting up non-commercial sites (for side projects, meetups etc.) easy! Find Mike on Github
We heard from Declan Coleman, who shared various tips and tricks — the most interesting:
- how he uses a single A4 notebook to make notes during meetings and calls. However, he doesn’t mind if he picks the book up upside down, or the right way up, he simply finds the next blank page and starts writing. For him, this is not about keeping notes, but that the process of writing them down helps him remember.
- Death Clock — A Google Chrome extension which changes your new tab background to a clock, which counts down until the day you die (presuming you’re going to die at 75). The message — make every second count, kids!
Jules Blundell shared a few things — first, this tool to help you get started …
Yes, very funny Jules! :-)
He also explained how he considers the good old pen and paper the best way to stay on top of tasks. Seems there are few scribblers in the Skiff!
I (Caroline Beavon) chipped in with my process. I use two Trello boards to manage multiple projects at a time. Trello is a digital task board that lets you create cards and lists, with the flexibility to create your own structure/process.
The first board helps me quickly find the status of a project. At times I can have up to 13 projects in various stages, so I create a LIST for each possible state, and a card for each project. Keeping it updated means I can instantly remind myself which projects need working on, chasing or invoicing.
My second board has a list for all new tasks, then one list for each day of the week. I move the tasks into the day I intend to complete it, and use predefined labels to add a time slot (I find I’m better at doing certain tasks at certain times of the day).
I have subscribed to Butler, a Trello powerup which has automated a lot of these processes. This also sorts the tasks by their timeslot — handy!
Paul Silver explained how he uses a notebook to make lists, but specifically shared a tip for just getting started.
He draws a small square (see left) next to a task, and colours in each square when he completes 15 minutes of the task. The idea is that 15 minutes is not that long, but will probably be enough to get you started! (tip: change the length of time depending on the task)
Keza Macdonald showed us how she uses Google Keep to manage her personal life, which includes a small baby. It’s a digital tool which allows you to quickly add photographs, todo lists and notes which she accesses a few times a week. She’ll use it to photograph letters she needs to deal with, reminders to make calls and other small tasks. The example left is not Keza’s Google Keep account.
Carl Jeffrey - showed us a host of useful tools which he uses to keep his life in order.
He admits he’s a big list maker, but also uses Apple Reminders to nudge him about time sensitive tasks.
He uses Blossom for larger project management. Similar to Trello, allowing you to create tasks and lists, but has a more minimal interface.
Carl then showed us Airtable — a superpowered spreadsheet tool which helps you see your data in a new way. He uses it to log various collections and flips between views to gather new insight.
And finally he showed us Snupps — It’s a site / app where collectors can share their products and, if they want, directly sent it to Ebay for selling.
Carl uses it to log all of his possessions on a private board. This screenshot below is not Carls board.
