My Top 7 Apps to Stay Productive as a Software Engineer

Summary

In this video, the creator shares their productivity tips, focusing on effective time management strategies. They introduce the concept of 'time blobbing,' a flexible scheduling technique that uses Google Calendar to visually block out portions of the day for different activities. This method helps the creator balance work, personal events, and YouTube tasks, ensuring a productive day. The video also highlights the use of color coding for various activities and emphasizes the importance of syncing calendars with loved ones. The creator encourages viewers to try time blobbing to structure their day better.

Takeaways

• 😀 Time management is essential for productivity, and using the Pomodoro technique (e.g., with the Forest app) helps maintain focus in short intervals.
• 📱 Managing screen time is crucial to avoid distractions. Tools like iOS Screen Time help track and limit phone usage.
• 🧑‍💻 Microsoft To Do offers a straightforward way to manage tasks, with the 'My Day' feature ensuring daily tasks reset to keep things manageable.
• 🔗 Notion is a versatile productivity app that can organize everything from content creation to travel plans, serving as a comprehensive tool for various projects.
• ⏱ One Sec is a tool designed to help reduce mindless scrolling by adding a brief pause before opening distracting apps, encouraging more mindful usage.
• 📞 Slack is an efficient tool for communication and collaboration, particularly useful in professional settings for streamlining workflows and keeping tasks organized.
• 📅 Google Calendar can be used to structure your day, especially through 'time blobbing,' which is a flexible yet organized approach to time blocking.
• 🖊 Time blobbing involves scheduling your day with flexibility, color-coding different activities (work, personal, etc.) to create a visual representation of your tasks.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Sharing Google Calendar events (via blue-colored entries) with family members helps maintain transparency and coordination in daily activities.
• 💻 Combining multiple tools (Forest, Microsoft To Do, Notion, etc.) creates an effective system to stay organized, minimize distractions, and improve overall productivity.

Q & A

What is time blobbing, and how does it differ from traditional time blocking?

Time blobbing is a flexible approach to managing time, where specific time slots are scheduled, but they are not rigid or hard requirements. It provides a general framework to allocate time without the pressure of strict deadlines, allowing for more flexibility throughout the day.

Why does the speaker prefer Google Calendar for time management?

The speaker prefers Google Calendar because it syncs seamlessly with their work calendar, allowing them to easily see and manage their meetings. Additionally, it offers color coding features that help differentiate different types of tasks and events.

What are the different color codes the speaker uses in Google Calendar?

The speaker uses different color codes in Google Calendar to categorize their events: purple for day job meetings, orange for YouTube-related tasks or meetings, and blue for events shared with their spouse.

How does time blobbing help the speaker structure their day?

Time blobbing helps the speaker structure their day by allowing them to plan their time in a flexible way, making it easier to identify when to focus on specific tasks. This ensures that they can have a productive day by allocating time to different responsibilities.

What is the speaker's preferred time to time blob, and why?

The speaker prefers to time blob either right before bed or right when they wake up. This helps them organize and plan their day ahead, ensuring a productive schedule.

What is the benefit of syncing Google Calendar with a spouse's calendar?

Syncing Google Calendar with a spouse’s calendar ensures that both individuals are aware of each other’s schedules. This allows them to coordinate events and activities, creating better communication and understanding of each other's time commitments.

How does the speaker use color coding to improve communication with their spouse?

By color coding events as 'blue' on Google Calendar, the speaker ensures that any shared events automatically show up on their spouse's calendar. This helps both parties stay informed and aligned on shared activities.

How does the speaker ensure the flexibility of their time blocks?

The speaker ensures flexibility by treating time blocks as general guidelines rather than rigid schedules. This approach allows for adjustments as needed, giving them the freedom to adapt to changing circumstances throughout the day.

What is the speaker’s overall approach to productivity and time management?

The speaker's approach to productivity focuses on creating a flexible, structured schedule using time blobbing. They prioritize effective time allocation without the pressure of strict deadlines, aiming to maintain a balanced and productive day.

What does the speaker recommend for those looking to improve their time management?

The speaker recommends trying time blobbing and using tools like Google Calendar to help manage time effectively. They encourage viewers to experiment with these techniques and see if they work for their personal productivity.