'Tis the Season of Lists

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2015!

I’m jumping on the list bandwagon. It seems like they are here, there and everywhere this time of year. I'm not a resolution setter, but these are a few things that I'm planning on using all year to help block out a little chaos. 

Without further ado, here is my top FIVE list of must haves for 2015:

1. Evernote

This is hands down my favorite app. My account syncs across all my various devices (computer, phone, and tablet.) The web clipper app for Safari is so easy to use and makes keeping research organized a breeze. I haven't tried to import notes/notebooks into Scrivener yet, but I might be trying that out soon.  




2. Boyfriend pillow
Not one of those creepy ones with half a body and an arm. This is my new favorite thing to use while working. 

BEWARE: When used with a heated bed warmer you may neglect responsibilities that require you to get out of bed. You have been warned.



3. Frixion Erasable Pens
Love to write in pen, but make a bunch of mistakes? These are of you. And look at all the colors!! I love to use these when I'm revising or critiquing. The hardest part is figuring out  the clicker. (Hint: it's not the eraser, it's the clip.) 




4. A Schedule
If it is important to you, SCHEDULE IT! It won’t get done if you don’t make time for it, so make time for it. Put it on the calendar in PEN. And not the erasable kind. :) I am scheduling EVERYTHING. Sure each week is not going to go as planned, it never does, but if it is there I will make it more of a priority. That's the plan.

This is just an example of how I would like my days to go, but with 2 in school and 2 at home I'm happy to get one productive day (meaning I can see the effects of what I did during the day, a product so to speak) here and there. 

Anything that I do out of the house or is time specific, like a webinar, goes into my iCal which I share with my husband. Very helpful. 

5. Cheerleaders
This is an absolute, no excuses, got-to-have it! Whether it is an amazing critique group, an online community of like-minded individuals, your significant other, or your mother having people around you who support you in what you are doing goes a long way to helping you achieve your goals. A cat is nice too, but mine mostly just keeps my feet warm. (But maybe that's just because I have the bed warmer on...) She's really not so great a cheerleader. 

Here's to a happy, healthy, and productive 2015!

What are your favorite things you'll be using this year??