Are you always pressed for time? How well do you deal with distractions?
This article makes a case for good stuff for productivity that are affordable. Budget-friendly and simple solutions like non-digital tools sometimes are more effective. In fact, studies have shown that writing on paper helps us to remember things better and more connected to the information.
Here are 3 good stuff that are effective for productivity without spending big bucks:
1. Panda Planner
Despite the popularity of using digital apps, Panda Planner is a better option as it can limit your screen time and avoid eye strain.
Productivity expert, Call Newport in his book Digital Minimalism, has advocated limiting our screen time using handphones. Instead of typing on a handphone, the act of writing engages the brain better, making it easier the retrieve information later.
For this reason, Panda Planner is a better tool than digital apps. Its format helps us to plan out tasks for the day, weeks and months ahead. There are also prompts in the planner to guide our thought process in deciding priorities. Having plans and priorities documented in the planner are useful to tackle the most important tasks first and avoid wasting time on unimportant tasks.
For this, the benefit of using Panda Planner for productivity is only when we use it consistently and make it part of our daily.
Are you always distracted by pop-ups or text notifications on your handphone? Stay focused and avoid the temptation to switch to other websites by using Bullet Journal - another option for analog productivity tools.
If you wish to explore or practice mindfulness and self-reflection with a time management tool, Bullet Journal is a better choice. Studies have proven that journaling for mindfulness as activities helps to promote mental and emotional wellness.
Among features in the Bullet Journal that can be used for mindfulness journaling include gratitude log, mindful diet log, meditation tracker and positive affirmations. One research has shown that incorporating these mindful practices into journaling helps to sharpen focus and increase positive thinking (Khramtsova & Glascock, 2010).
3. Magic Whiteboard
This is a versatile productivity tool as it can create an instant whiteboard on any surface without an additional stand. It is light, easy to carry around and can be set up quickly on any surface. Therefore, it is a good companion for remote workers or frequent travelers as they can create a workspace for a whiteboard anywhere.
Magic Whiteboard is also an excellent tool for meetings as anyone can write on the board at the same time. Many tasks can be completed including brainstorming and note taking. Writing down on the Magic Whiteboard allows ideas to be shared in a visual format, which can increase understanding and memory retention for any user.
The simplest productivity tools are effective too. It is not about the costs of the tools but understanding one’s needs.
You may get the magic from the online store: Shopee
Azlan Jaafar is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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