I used to be one of those people. You know the type. Scattered but organized. I had my notes for projects in a dozen different areas, but I knew where everything was.
That was until my freelance writing business really took off and being scattered wasn’t an option anymore. I wanted to free up time I spent looking for things and free up space in my mind, so I wouldn’t run through to do lists in my sleep.
So I asked myself a question: “how can I make project management easy and fun?”
I spent about a year researching a variety of apps and tools and found 3 amazing tools that have turned me into a project management ninja.
These tools together save me about 5 hours a month and have drastically increased my efficiency.
Here are my 3 favourite project management tools:
1. Basecamp
I have tried a variety of online project management tools and they all tend to be extremely complex and unintuitive.
After trying 7 programs I found Basecamp. I loved it right away for its ease of use, great interface and limited options. It allows you to manage multiple projects, share files, set up tasks for each project, assign tasks to your staff, and invite your clients or staff to comment on a project.
What I love about the program is that it’s extremely simple. There are no bells or whistles, which is great for me because all I need to do is track what I am doing, when I need to do it, and who I am doing it for.
Prices start at just $20/month and you can try a free trial for 60 days.
2. Freshbooks
I hated invoicing but now I love it thanks to Freshbooks.
I use Freshbooks to track the time I spend on jobs and invoice my clients. It allows me to see who owes me money and how much money I have coming in from freelancing. I can also store expenses such as photos of receipts on Freshbooks.
The great thing about Freshbooks is that it’s a cloud-based program so I can access it online from anywhere at anytime. What’s more, I also find that I am paid quicker since I started using Freshbooks as I can now accept online payments, and if a payment is late, I can track it a lot quicker.
Prices start for as little as $9.95/month and you can try a free trial for 30 days
3. Balanced
I like to track my personal “project management” ie. my life with the nifty iPhone app Balanced. The amazing yet simple app allows you to track the things you wish you did and motivates you to do them again.
For example I have daily goals to run, write in my journal, meditate, and help someone else. And I actually do these things about 50% more because my app reminds me to. This then positively affects my work life because I am more efficient when i’ve balanced my personal life.
Sound too easy to be true? Considering I have tried about 20 iPhone apps to track and manage my personal goals and failed, I am over the moon about this app. Also, it’s free.
What do you use to manage your projects? Send me a tweet @creativewonders.
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Guest post written by Aisha Tejani, a freelance writer who resides in Vancouver, British Columbia.
The post Save 5 hours a Month with 3 Easy Project Management Tools appeared first on Creative Wonders.