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Microsoft OneNote and Evernote are among the top programs when it comes to virtual notebooks, yet arguments continue over which wins out over the other. After reading Lifehacker Faceoff: OneNote vs. Evernote, we here at Innovatively Organized started wondering what we thought of each program. We realized that we recommend OneNote to certain clients and Evernote to others. Why? Because they each offer something unique that fits particular personalities and certain needs.  Here are some of the pros and cons of each program:

Evernote Pros:

•  You can set reminders. This feature is great not only for your to-do list in your Evernote account, but also for any actionable items that are in your meeting notes. Learn more about this feature from our previous blog post, How to Set Reminders in Evernote.
• More features with web clipping. When you want to clip certain webpages into your Evernote account, you can clip the full-text article into whichever notebook you want it to be placed into. You can also add reminders to the webpage you clipped and highlight certain parts of it.
• Easy to use interface. Evernote has a simple interface that makes it easy to organize all of your individual notebooks and lists.

Evernote Cons:

• Some features are only available with Premium. Some of the features that users like, such as uploading large files, can only be used if you pay for the Premium version.
• Outdated interface. Although there are pros to the interface being easy to use, some complain that its also outdated and laid out almost too simply.

Microsoft OneNote Pros:

• Works well with Microsoft applications. Since it was created by Microsoft, it syncs well with your Outlook, Word, Excel, etc. For example, you can easily embed a Word document into your OneNote account. Additionally, you can hit the Windows button and N at the same time and your OneNote will appear- just another way that Microsoft integrated this great program into their software.
• Great tags feature. OneNote allows you to effortlessly add small tags to notes that remind the user of tasks and important information that is in the note.
• Perfect for researching. If your job requires heavy amounts of research, OneNote may be right for you. It has features such as the ability to look up references to sources, language translation, and even a thesaurus. You can also drag and drop images and text from webpages.

Microsoft OneNote Cons:

• Less features with web clipping. Yes, you can clip web pages into OneNote, but they are automatically sent to a folder called Quick Notes, so you have to move them into the proper folder after you have already clipped them.
• Syncing issues. Some users have troubles syncing across multiple devices, which could be a problem if you are a mobile professional.

Overall, both Evernote and Microsoft OneNote are solid options. On one hand, Evernote is simple, easy to use, and has some great features such as setting reminders.  This application is probably better for the individual who is looking for a great way to organize all their electronic documents and other random things such as to-do lists and meeting notes. On the other hand, OneNote offers a more robust interface with greater researching capabilities. This makes OneNote the better option for someone who is looking for a program where they will do some heavy note taking and plenty of research projects.

Which program do you prefer? Let us know in the comments below!

© 2014 Gigaom, Inc.

With our extensive use of Evernote and our support of ScanSnap, we here at Innovatively Organized were thrilled to hear the news of the new Evernote Edition ScanSnap! Two of our favorite productivity tools coming together into one amazing device was reason enough for us to get excited, but here are some more reasons why this Evernote scanner is a must-have for 2014:

• Automatically organizes everything. The ScanSnap can detect what type of document you’re scanning and automatically file it where it needs to go within your Evernote account.
• Operates under a WiFi connection. With this scanner, you won’t be cluttering up your office with more cords because it can be used with a WiFi connection.
• Simple Operations. This ScanSnap automatically detects double-sided documents, rotates them, and detects color.
• Includes a free year of Evernote Premium. This allows you to use the ScanSnap without having to buy Evernote if you didn’t have it previously.

This partnership of two of our most recommended productivity tools can help declutter your office and get you a step closer to becoming paperless.

Want more useful tips and recommendations that can help boost your productivity? Follow The Productivity School on Twitter for daily tips!

Make 2014 your most productive year by actually eliminating an item from your list. Many people pack on tasks and goals to their to-do list in January and become overwhelmed immediately. This can actually hinder someone from getting any of those goals completed. Instead of adding something else to your to-do list today, what is one thing you can take off your list and let go of? This should be something that doesn’t add value to your life or is more of a filler than a real goal. There is a productivity myth between being busy and being productive, which makes most people inclined to add more items to their new years goals than necessary. By taking something off your list, you can focus on your main goals and utilize them. We want you to create a list of resolutions and goals that are realistic and attainable instead of overloading your list with things you may want to accomplish but aren’t yet ready to commit to doing.

As you enter the new year, it is important to start fresh with the right calendar for you. Here are 3 tips for choosing a calendar to keep you productive:

• Take a moment to consideration whether you want a paper or electronic calendar then choose the specific one that’s right for your personality and work style.
• Stick to only one calendar and avoid switching around between different ones if possible.
• Once you have picked your calendar, put your new years goals and timeline in it so you can hold yourself accountable.

2013 was a great year here at Innovatively Organized and to celebrate we are sharing our ‘best of 2013′ blogs. From useful downloadable checklists to step-by-step processes for increasing productivity, here are our top blogs from the past year:

1. Must Haves On-the-Go: Mobile Professionals Checklist- In February, we shared our Mobile Professionals Checklist to all our readers so that they could be more productive no matter where they work.

2. How to Efficiently Delegate to Your Assistant- Whether you need help from your assistant or a coworker, this article will help you delegate efficiently so you can save yourself time.

3. Essential Productivity Apps Checklist to Keep You Efficient- As a celebration of Small Business Week in June, we compiled a list of our top productivity apps that we recommend to our clients and shared them in this article.

4. 7 Ways Our Team Has Efficient Meetings- We described our step-by-step process of how we at Innovatively Organized hold efficient and productive meetings.

5. 5 Common Bottlenecks in Your Office- Whether it’s the chatty coworker in the cubicle next to you or duplicate documents that make finding the most recent version a headache, most offices deal with numerous productivity killers on a daily basis (sometimes unknowingly). This article helps bring awareness to some of those common bottlenecks.

6. App Recommendation: EchoSign- When a client signs a contract with you, the process of faxing or scanning documents is tedious and makes the negotiation process longer and more stressful for everyone involved. Fortunately, EchoSign allows users to send, sign, track, manage and access documents digitally. Read why we love EchoSign with this post.

7. Staying Productive When Your Self-Employed- When you are your own boss or work from home, there isn’t always someone pressuring you to complete that tedious report and while this can be refreshing for some people, it can also lead to procrastination or added stress because you are fully responsible for your own work load. In this article we provided a few tips we have come up with to help you stay motivated and productive when you’re self-employed.

8. Decide & Delegate During the Holidays- As more and more people in the office start disappearing during the holiday season, it can be stressful for those still left working. We provided a list of questions to go over with your team or coworkers so that everything is handled accordingly.

As the new year approaches, most people will start thinking of the goals they want to accomplish next year. Thinking of writing that book or getting rid of the boxes of files in your office is exciting and motivating. However, as soon as January actually hits its easy to forget about these goals as you frantically try to catch up after the holidays.  So how can you set goals for 2014 and actually stick to them when the time comes? Here are 4 quick tips that will help you succeed with your goals:

1. Brainstorm what you’d like to get done. Making a list of everything you’d like to accomplish on paper will help you with motivation.
2. Narrow down your list. You will most likely be busy when you return from the holidays, so don’t set too many goals at once. Highlight the 3 most important goals (that are big yet realistic) that you would like to accomplish first and focus on those.
3. Make a timeline. Writing down a timeline will help you hold yourself accountable when you are slipping back into your normal routine.
4. Reward milestones. When you reach a certain point in your timeline, be sure to reward yourself! Get a massage, buy that item of clothing you’ve been wanting, or simply relax for a full day. This will give you an incentive to keep working towards your goal to reach your next milestone.

Want daily tips on establishing good habits and increasing your productivity?  Follow @ProductivitySch on Twitter!

Whether its your 1st or your 50th Thanksgiving meal that you’re hosting, you still probably panic a little just thinking about the day. Here at Innovatively Organized, we love the holiday because we can implement our productivity skills into planning the meal. To help you stress a little less this Thanksgiving, we want to share with you some productivity tips that will help you execute a successful thanksgiving meal. Here are our Thanksgiving Productivity Tips:

Create a schedule

Create a schedule this weekend to plan for the big day. Break down the holiday feast into phases such as planning, shopping, prep, cooking, serving, cleaning, etc.

Make a to-do list

Write out your to-do list for each phase. You’ll be really glad you wrote down potatoes on your grocery list when you almost forget to buy them at the store.

Delegate to family members

Delegate certain tasks to family members, whether its certain parts of the cooking process or simply part of your shopping list. You can also assign certain family members a certain dish to bring so that you don’t have to do all of the cooking. Hosting a Thanksgiving dinner is a lot less stressful when others help you out.

Don’t try to do everything at once

As long as you plan out your time effectively and implement the previous tips, you won’t have to worry about this tip. However, just remember that no one can do everything at once! You should relax and enjoy the holiday.

Want additional help with your productivity? Check out our individual productivity consulting!

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With season 5 of ‘The Voice’ in full swing, our team at Innovatively Organized realized that the show is not only entertaining but also full of productivity lessons! The contestants and their coaches have been working tirelessly to make it to the final 12 announced last week, so how did they make it? Although their talent is undeniable, their drive and productivity is what has separated them from those that have been voted off. Here’s the 3 productivity tips we’ve learned from the contestants on ‘The Voice’:

Practice makes perfect

For everyone that watches the show, we’ve all heard the stories of the practice that each artist put in to have such an amazing voice. The show also highlights some of their practice they put in with their coaches. Those contestants who are serious about their practice time show vast improvements and avoid elimination each week all the way through to the end. This can be applied to everyday life because those who practice and stick to what they’re doing end up finishing, even if there are struggles along the way. No matter how difficult, doing something over and over again will lead to more success with that task in the future.

Commitment makes it easier

The contestants coming in with experience seem to know how to memorize and perform. Even the ones that lack experience but come into the show with commitment go far in the show. Being committed to something builds muscle memory and helps habits stick easier. When you are passionate about something, such as winning ‘The Voice’, there will be a much higher chance you will succeed. Even if you don’t like a task or find the steps to reach a goal are difficult, if you tell yourself that you really want it, you’ll achieve it.

Confidence leads to success

‘The Voice’ contestants are some of the most confident people out there considering they are willing to sing in front of millions of Americans on National television. We can all learn from them on this. Being confident and positive helps you stay committed. If you think a task seems too tedious or a goal too unreachable, you’re setting yourself up for failure. However, if you tell yourself that you are smart or talented enough to complete something, it will seem more realistic and will thus motivate you to finish.

Need additional help with individual productivity? Check out our Individual Productivity Consulting page to see how we can help!

Our team just received our first Turnstone Buoy and are so excited about it that we have to share the news! This seat is great for the people that don’t like sitting still for too long or tend to distract themselves easily. This seat will make your office tasks more enjoyable as you spin and wobble on the Buoy.

Some of the reasons we love the buoy:

• Height Adjustment - Using a lever you can easily adjust the seat to the height that fits you.
• Mobility - The buoy is light enough to move it around with you and has a handle to carry it.
• Customizable - You can make the buoy your own by choosing the color of the cap, main body, and base. We decided on a teal, white and brown buoy to match our company colors!
• Saves Space - This seat takes up less space and doesn’t roll around like an exercise ball does. It also looks better in an office than an exercise ball.

Think the Buoy is something you’d enjoy in your office? Check out their website and order one today! 

When you are your own boss, there isn’t always someone pressuring you to complete that tedious report or telling you to hurry up with that daunting project. While this can be refreshing for some people, it can also lead to procrastination or added stress because you are fully responsible for your own work load. Here are a few tips we have come up with to help you stay motivated and productive when you’re self-employed:

Establish a routine

Get up and get dressed as if you were going to the office. Make this a habit so you are mentally prepared every morning to work.

Take breaks

Have lunch, get up and walk around the block, etc. Reinvigorate yourself so you are able to maintain your productivity instead of sitting in your space all day long.

Create a work environment

Designate a specific room or desk as your “office” or consider joining a coworking space. Read our past blog posts, “5 Tips to Organize Your Cubicle or Small Desk” and “10 Organizing Tips for a Small Home Office” for additional tips and tricks for creating an effective home office space.

Batch tasks

If you’re self-employed, you’re likely wearing a lot of different hats and therefore doing a variety of tasks. Set aside recurring blocks of time to work on accounting tasks, marketing tasks, or anything else that is needed to maintain your business. The idea is that you want to spend as little time as possible transitioning between tasks because that ultimately wastes time.

Outsource when necessary

Consider outsourcing some tasks to a bookkeeper, human resources professional, virtual assistant, web developer, etc. Identify what you’re wasting time on or dislike doing so you can concentrate on growing your business.

Performance review

Make goals for yourself and evaluate if you’ve achieved them or not. You may want to consider having a standing meeting every 6 months with a fellow entrepreneur to help hold you accountable.

Need additional help staying productive while you’re self-employed? We offer individual productivity consulting!