Due to my nomadic status, I have officially embraced a primarily digital workflow in 2023. I wouldn’t say I’ve gone “paper free,” but being able to check up on the status of a project from anywhere has become critical. Having key documents in the cloud makes it easy for me to keep tabs on what I’m up to, no matter where I am in the world.
All that to say, my productivity tool stack has evolved a little since last year. Here’s what I’m now using.
iPhone 13 Pro Max
I stuck with my Samsung Galaxy S7 since 2016. But in May 2022, I finally decided to upgrade.
I wasn’t sure which phone I’d ultimately pick, but I was leaning towards the iPhone because of its camera. And, in the end, the iPhone won.
So far, I couldn’t be any happier with this choice. Adapting to the workflow didn’t take long, and since it is a brand-new phone, it’s a lot faster and smoother than my previous device, and it has a bigger screen too.
From social media and Kindle to Notes and Gmail, I find I’m able to do a lot more on my phone than I was previously able, whether scheduling meetings, documenting ideas, or reading Kindles.
My iPhone is my go-to tool for capturing video too.
iPad & Apple Pencil
Hard to believe – my iPad & Apple Pencil have been with me since 2019. But somehow, they still feel new to me.
I have used this combo extensively for journaling and digital art. I like to read Kindles on my iPad as well.
I like that I can sync up my iPad with my new iPhone, and even my older MacBook Pro. Make no mistake, though – I’m still a hybrid PC / Mac user.
ClickUp
Evernote is out and ClickUp is in.
Not that I don’t like Evernote, but for some reason it has fallen off my radar more times than I can count. If it doesn’t stay in my workflow, it usually means there is too much friction to using it.
ClickUp is a thorough project management tool, but I basically use it as my digital to-do list.
Notion
As with ClickUp, Notion can be used as a comprehensive project management tool (though I think ClickUp does to-do lists better).
I find Notion works best as a central, communal holding place for project related information. If I have any collaborative projects, my first instinct is to set up a new teamspace inside Notion, complete with mission, objectives, deadlines, stats, meeting times and Zoom links, links to relevant documents, and the like.
Dropbox
I think I’ve said it before, but at this point, my workflow is so enmeshed with Dropbox that I barely even notice it’s there. But I would certainly notice if it wasn’t there, as I have multiple book projects stored inside.
Google Workspace
Gmail, Drive, and Calendar. Honestly, I’m not sure what I’d do without them.
Last year, I got to discover the utility of the Updates tab in Gmail. I love it because it moves a lot of emails I only want to check occasionally into a separate tab.
My LifeSheet, of course, exists in Drive, and my Calendar is timeboxed.
Microsoft Office
I still do most if not all my writing inside Word. I know there are a lot of other great tools out there, but because I’m used to Word and all its quirks, I’m better able to adapt to changes. I even layout my books in Word.
Excel comes in handy around tax time.
Final Thoughts
If you want to be as productive as you can possibly be in 2023, ensure that you’ve got the right structures in place. Using the right tools can make a difference, but you’ve got to create processes for all the tools you use too. I suggest keeping your workflow as simple as possible.
If you need any guidance setting up systems for your career or business, feel free to get in touch for personalized coaching. I don’t come cheaply, but I always deliver value.
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