In my toolkit.

I talk a lot about the value of a toolkit. It would be rude of me not to share mine 😉

Notion.so

PRODUCTIVITY + PROJECT MANAGEMENT + TASK MANAGEMENT + JOURNALING

My life runs on Notion.

Is it still dramatic if it’s true? I keep everything from my daily journaling practice and my self-prescribed anxiety prevention tactics, to all my client projects, budgeting, social media planning, drafting blogs, and more.

I’ve created several templates to help you do the same, and if you don’t already have a tool you love, this is my go-to when we work together.

GSuite

EMAIL + CALENDAR + GOOLE DRIVE

Nothing too fancy here! Just the paid version of Google GSuite for email, calendar, setting my time blocking, file management, and uploading the tutorial content that goes with my templates.

I’m working on becoming more of a GSuite expert — it’s a set of tools that I know can do more than I’m using it for.

Squarespace

WEBSITE + BLOG

I have very minimal coding ability so Squarespace works great for me. Quick to setup and reasonably priced, all things considered. Plus the latest version 7.1 loosens the shackles of the older templates, and allows you access to all content block styles, with a little more color palette flexibility, but a little less font flexibility.

Dubsado

CLIENT RELATIONSHIP MANAGER (CRM) + INVOICING + CONTRACTS

When I made the switch to Dubsado, whew it was like a dream come true. Manage your clients, leads, contracts, and invoicing from one application, and build workflows to make your life infinitely easier.

If you’re looking to make the switch or up your game in Dubsado, please check out my friend Charlotte Isaac, who specializes in truly top-notch Dubsado education.

Quickbooks Self-Employed

BOOKKEEPING

I will need to upgrade soon, but for now Quickbooks Self-Employed works great for me.

Tip: Quickbooks products are in silos, meaning they do not talk to one another. If you need a larger or smaller subscription there’s no convenient button to do so. You’ll need to export / import your data between accounts.

Forest App

TIME BLOCKING ACCOUNTABILITY

I set my time blocks in Google Calendar, and then I time them in Forest. If you’ve ever used the pomodoro technique, this is the same idea.

It limits access to your other apps while you’re in a timer, and also raises money to plant real-life trees! Bonus!

Screentime on iOS

TO STAY OFF SOCIAL MEDIA

Look, I’m human. I love instagram.

I have my screentime set to a 15 minute limit on social media apps and texting so I can’t remain in scrolling limbo for too long.

The show must go on! The show=your real life :)

Drip

EMAIL MARKETING

I’m a visual learner and Drip does a bang-up job of creating visual representations of your email workflows.

I’m an email marketing hopeful, and with basic expertise I was able to get Drip up and running in a couple days.

FitOn

EXERCISE

Another gift of 2020 — can’t go to the gym because covid stress. Plus on the West Coast we were draped in wildfire smoke for several weeks, so indoor exercise was the only way to go. Climate change is real folks.

The free version of FitOn has a ton of variety, and if you tend to feel pressed for time, there are heaps of quick videos. There are also celeb videos — my personal favorites are obviously with Jonathan Van Ness from Queer Eye. Ob-vi-ous-ly.

Yoga with Adriene

YOGA

FitOn has a lot going for it but sadly I don’t love the yoga… and I love yoga.

When I can’t get to the studio because time or covid or money or introverted energy — Yoga with Adriene has been a life saver.

She runs an annual 30-day challenge for beginners, which is always a great way to jump start a yoga practice, and is incredibly generous with the free class content. She has a chill, open energy and a lovely dog that makes guest appearances.

Insight Timer / MUSE 2

MEDITATION

2020 needed a little extra, and was the motivation I needed to start a daily meditation practice. I tried several apps but Insight Timer is by far my favorite, followed by Waking Up with Sam Harris.

2021 update! I was gifted a Muse 2 meditation headband and cannot get enough. Guided meditations with realtime neural feedback helping you sense when you’re in your calmest state.

Other apps I work with.

The list above is my primary go-to set of tools, but these are also in the kit.

Monday.com

PROJECT MANAGEMENT HEAVY LIFTING

Monday was really my first love before Notion came along.

It’s great for people and processes that like automation, app integration, and projects that need a lot more project management heavy lifting than what Notion can offer. It’s particularly great for spreadsheet lovers.

Calendly

APPOINTMENT SCHEDULING

Acuity is the gold standard these days for scheduling, but I still stick with my old reliable Calendly. There’s a free forever version, it’s simple to setup and use, and I try to support businesses owned + operated by people of color when possible.

If you have complex appointment types, a packed schedule, or you like a lot of fine-tuned control over your calendar, another tool might work better for you.

iPad w/Procreate

DESIGN + NOTETAKING

Before Monday Made, I was a designer, and still am!

I typically create all of my own assets (for now) and use the iPad Pencil + Procreate app to make that happen. I also use it to take notes and sketch out the workflows we create when you work with me for a Custom Setup, so I can visualize all the pieces of your operation and how they best fit together.

🪦 Systems Graveyard

These are tools that I’ve tried, but didn’t make the cut. These are the apps I am comfortable with if you’d love the outcomes of a Monday Made 1-on-1 program, and aren’t ready to make a switch to my favorite tool, Notion.

Asana

PROJECT + TASK MANAGEMENT

Free forever version, list-based organization w/alternate views

Trello

PROJECT + TASK MANAGEMENT

Free forever version, kanban style with cards you move through columns

MeisterTask

PROJECT + TASK MANAGEMENT

Free forever version, kanban style like Trello, but slightly more attractive

Basecamp

PROJECT + TASK MANAGEMENT

Was a very popular project management app for a long time and probably still is. Attempts to simulate a stack of paper in digital form.