July 2009 Planners Available

I’ve just uploaded this month’s planners. I wanted to have them up yesterday but got sidetracked – but at least they’re not late this month!

Release Notes:

• I made some minor changes to the Freelancer Workweek. It’s just a few words, but the old phrases and words bugged me a little.
• I’m still a bit stuck with the planners. They all need some TLC, but I’ve got two problems: 1) I only use them when I have to, and I’ve gotten better at not needing to structure my day, and 2) I’m still really insecure about my graphic design skills.
• I’ll probably start a newsletter, forum, or something to aggregate discussions around these planners soon, and I hope you’ll join it (if you’re interested). The basic idea is to have a place where we can talk about how you’re using the aids, what needs to be improved, and where we’d like to take them. I’m aware that there’s only a small percent of you that use and care about the planners, but I’d like to have a place to hang out and keep the discussion going about them – for what it’s worth, a lot of stuff related to productivity and creativity tends to come up, as the aids are a way of distilling theory into practice.

Before I stop yapping, I want to encourage you to make the most of your summer – remember that family, friends, and summertime laziness are part of what allows you to keep doing what you do. Don’t view them as a distraction from work, when in reality they are a part of your work.

Productivity Heatmap:

Basic idea: We are more productive at some times rather than others.
Use when: You’re trying to figure out when you’re the most productive.
For more information: How Heatmapping Your Productivity Can Make You More Productive

Download: Blank Daily Productivity Heatmap (31307)

The Productivity Planner Series:

Basic Idea: Once you know when you work best, why not plan your weeks and days around that information? Do more work in less time by leveraging your natural rhythms.
Use when: You’re planning your day or week.
For more information: Read the Productivity Planners User Guide (11412)

Downloads:
Daily Productivity Planner (July 2009) (739)
Weekly Productivity Planner (July 2009) (688)

The Productivity Jumpstarter

Basic Idea: Sometimes we’re running around being busy but aren’t really being productive. This aid helps you stop running in circles and start making meaningful progress on your goals.
Use when: You have no idea what you should be doing and are tired of running in circles.

Download:Productivity Jumpstarter (v.2) (23427)

The Blog Post Planner and Calendar

Basic Idea: Brainstorming and planning your posts ahead of time may help you have a more streamlined, consistent, and insightful blog. Your mileage may vary, but it’s worth a shot!
Use when: You want to improve your blogging posts and habits.
For more information: The Blog Post Planner and Calendar – skip down to “How to Use These Planners” if you don’t need to be sold on why to use them.

Downloads:
Blog Post Planner (July 2009) (439)
Blog Post Calendar (July 2009) (374)
Blog Post Planner-Calendar Set (July 2009) (409)

The Freelancer Workweek

Basic Idea: Some of us work better to task than to time, and we need a planner that addresses how we work rather than making us fit how we work into it. This is a great one for freelancers and entrepreneurs.
Use when: You’re tired of time-based planners and want to get clarity on what needs to be done.
For more information: The Freelancer Workweek – skip down to “How to Use This Planner” if you don’t care about the design methodology.

Download: Freelancer Workweek (Draft) - July 2009 (501)

p.s. I sincerely hope that these aids help you. If they do, please consider leaving a tip using the button below – any and all contributions are greatly appreciated. Thanks for sharing some of your value with me.