#simplify2013 — super simple productivity tools.

I’m writing a completely different post than I’d hoped to write today. How come? It went down like this:

On Tuesday, my friend and chiropractor, Dr. Wheat tweeted this:

@doctor_wheat GAH. i’m kicking myself for listening to spotify all week and not the current. $250 is a bit much. Wed is out.

— CAL-ee. or chimes. (@chimes) January 15, 2013

@doctor_wheat I knowwww … I’m waiting “in line” to see if I can get a ticket to tomorrow’s show. $70 = worth it to see prince.

— CAL-ee. or chimes. (@chimes) January 15, 2013

What seemed like hours later, I finally got through the virtual line to get tickets to the Wednesday night show (after I convinced myself it’d be totally worth the drive).

@doctor_wheat also, that was a very suspenseful wait in the virtual ticket line. pretty sure everything is SOLD OUT. (cc @thecurrent )

— CAL-ee. or chimes. (@chimes) January 15, 2013

@doctor_wheat @thecurrent also, i’m going home to put 1999 #onmyturntable, watch — and drink — Purple Rain instead of seeing Prince Wed.

— CAL-ee. or chimes. (@chimes) January 15, 2013

So no. I’m not giving you a recap of the Prince show that I went to last night. Because I didn’t go to it. And even if I did, The Purple One doesn’t allow cameras or cell phones into venues. However, I would have been hopped up on energy drinks (THUNDER MUSCLE) and that post would have been really interesting to read (and write), I’m sure. 

Instead, I have for your enjoyment, some great productivity tools. Since I’m trying to simplify 2013, I’m paring down my organizational system(s).

I don’t know about you, but I’m a fan of to-do lists. But I write them, re-write them, and re-write them again. I always run out of space. And I can’t stand a messy list. I have post-it notes up the wazoo, and it’s distracting. I searched for a simple task list app, and the simplest-ever to-do list app I’ve found is TeuxDeux. Pretentious name, yes, but it has clean and simple list functions.

All you do is write an item and hit enter on the day you want it on your list. You can jump to days via the calendar (including “today”), and you can drag / drop items to other days. You can even be super ambitious and have a “someday” list like I do (which is much, much longer than what this screen shot shows).

I love this site. There are iPhone and Android apps, but they’re clunky and I prefer the site itself.

I also found a great website to help curb my unfortunate habit of getting side-tracked. It’s hard not get easily side-tracked to these days with a million different things that we’re all plugged into — from twitter, to pinterest, to text messages — way too much stuff. I’m way more productive with frequent small breaks than I am with one big break. I’ve always used social media (blogs, twitter, etc.) to break up my day and let my mind rest. But these things have turned into constant interruptions, so I’m going to simplify my breaks by creating a routine with MyTomatoes.

MyTomatoes is a pomodoro technique-based timer/tracking system. The timer gives you 25 minutes to work, and after every 25-minute block, you get a 5-minute break. You have the option to enter what you did during your 25-minute block, which I love. Who wouldn’t love looking back at all the stuff they’ve gotten done at the end of the day?

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Do you use productivity or organizational tools? What are some of your favorites?

ALSO … are you be crazy enough to drive nearly 4 hours after work for an 11 PM Prince (or other legendary performer) show and drive home after? (I know I am).

I was not compensated in any way for this post. I’m just a fan of good ideas. 

PS Don’t forget to enter my KIND giveaway — it ends on Monday.