In 2017, I took a leap of faith and left a Fortune 50 company to launch my first business, The Buddy Effect. To be honest, when I thought about entrepreneurship, the phrases, “time freedom”, “financial freedom”, and “be your own boss” caused me to have a false image on what entrepreneurship is. I didn’t realize that I was trading in a 40-hour workweek for an 80-hour one — that making my own money wasn’t going to be as smooth as I thought it would be. Actually, one of my biggest obstacles were working efficiently and productively.
As an entrepreneur, you have so much to focus on — your clients, updating social media, staying on top of emails, clients and a host of other tasks (as well as distractions) that tanked my ability to work productively. It wasn’t until months later that I stumbled upon different tools and applications that helped me tighten up my process and allowing my cash flow to increase DRASTICALLY.
I figured that I’d share a few of my favorite applications and tools. While they range from all types of resources, I promise that if you implement the use of some (if not all) of these tools, you will see an immediate boost in your productivity! So, this week I’m sharing my ten favorite 10 tools and resources. Sharing is caring so be sure to comment below and share your fave resources or any productivity hacks or tips that you’re currently using.
Managing your to-do list for the day is not a hassle when you utilize Wunderlist. Make sure that you’re on top of your to-do list with this app! Not only can you organize and share your to-do list, but you can also set reminders, deadlines, and assign tasks to members on your team.
Grammarly is a Chrome browser extension and a desktop app that saves my life on a daily basis. It checks your grammar while you type to avoid sending out embarrassing email and documents over with a ton of grammatical errors. While there is a paid version, the free version does the job and is very robust in what’s offered!
Canva is BAE! I am not a Photoshop extrodiniare, but Canva allows me to create beautiful promotional material, e-book covers, and so much more without hiring someone to do the work for me. Canva’s drag-and-drop features, combined with their beautiful layouts, gives you the ability to create professional and eye-catching graphics without breaking the bank.
Slack is great when it comes to communicating with team members in the office and others who are working remotely. Slack makes it easy for you and your team members to stay on track with projects. You can search through conversation threads, store files, and so much more! You can either download the app, the desktop version, or access your account through the website.
Who needs a scanner when you have CamScanner? This document turns your smartphone into a scanner instantly. It allows you to scan any document in a matter of seconds — all you have to do is hover over the document, snap a pic, and the app will do the rest. You can even edit the final product and crop the document! After that, you can save it or shoot it over to its recipient and you’re all done!
I find that working from home can be a bit challenging; when I find myself in a productivity rut, changing my environment really helps to reset my motivation. Workfrom is great if you’re looking for a change of scenery. Simply type in your zip code and discover new coworking spaces, cafes, and other spaces that can serve as your “office” for the day. You can check out reviews from other remote workers and leave reviews as well. Working from home doesn’t have to be a bore!
I hope that these apps and resources are useful for your during your entrepreneurial/career journey. I ask for one favor — please return the favor and share some of your favorite productivity apps, tools, and resources!
If you liked this list and want more FREE resources and tips to help you navigate through your career and entrepreneurial journey, make sure to subscribe to my mailing list by clicking here! With Love, Dana Reese CEO | The Buddy Effect