Categories
Productivity

Windows 10: Tips that will make your routine more productive

Do you use Windows 10 and don’t know what to do to make your routine even more productive? The latest version of the Microsoft operating system offers many possibilities and a multitude of features for its users. So, we have listed in this article 5 practical tips to make your routine more productive, check it out.

No doubt, productivity is the concept that haunts all professionals today, especially those who work with computers. Any more or less click counts time. And in the business world, we all know that time is money.

Productivity is related to the correct way you can use resources to produce more in less time.

And Windows 10 is one of the most used operating systems in the world since 2018. With its updates, the system gains little tricks and secrets that can activate some useful functions. Thus, increasing productivity in your routine.

With this in mind, we’ve separated some Windows 10 tips that will certainly make your day easier. Check it out below.

Read more: Productivity for those who want more time

First, customize the Windows 10 start menu

The main advantage of personalizing your start menu with the applications and programs you access most is the possibility of saving clicks and time. The menu is separated into dynamic blocks to pin applications. Thus, you can customize according to your need.

To include an application, simply search, drag, and drop to the area. Or right-click on the app you want to pin, then “Pin on the start menu”.

In addition, you can also adjust the size of the icons in the start menu. As well as grouping by categories, as in the image below.

Windows 10 - menu start

To change the name of the group, just click above the group, and type the name.

Now, if you want to resize, delete from the menu, or even uninstall the app, just click with the right mouse button and choose the option that best applies. With your personalized menu, you will certainly save precious seconds of your day.

Second, pin important apps to the Windows 10 taskbar

The taskbar is another interesting feature. Similar to the start menu, it’s possible to pin applications and files that you access every day in the bar at the bottom of your screen.

You can do this in two ways:

The first is by clicking and dragging the file or application to the taskbar. And the second is by clicking on the right mouse button, then on the pin, in “Pin to taskbar”.

taskbar

The idea is to leave only those apps that you use frequently, to make your routine easier.

Third, take print without secrets

Everyone knows the famous “Print Screen” button (prt scn) on the keyboard to capture an entire screen, for example. However, the screenshot will not be saved as a file (as on your phone, for example, which already receives the image in the gallery). The capture will be copied to the clipboard. So, you will need to open an editing tool, paste, edit, and save.

To make your life easier, Windows 10 offers two different ways to print, in addition to the traditional one described above.

The first one is through the shortcut “Windows + PrtScn”. In this way, the image taken will be automatically saved in the “Screenshots” folder, which is inside the “Images” folder.

Screenshot

The second way is using the command “Windows + Shift + S”, which opens a selection tool, so you can choose exactly which location on the screen you want to capture. So you don’t need to open another program to edit your image.

And just like in the classic command, the capture is saved in the collage area, ready to be used or shared.

Windows 10 - Screenshot

Fourth, decrease distractions

When we talk about productivity, one of the tips that can help you become more productive is precisely this: reduce distractions while you are at work.

To help you, in April 2018 Windows 10 received an update that included Focus Assist as one of its tools. This way, you can control how many notifications you receive on the screen. You can even choose not to receive notifications on the screen.

Windows 10 - Focus assist

To configure, just follow the step by step below:

1. Go to the settings, then click on system and, finally, on Focus Assist, or focus assistant.

2. Choose from three options:

  • Disabled (so you get all notifications from your apps and contacts);
  • Priority only (receive only notifications selected from a list customized by you);
  • Alarms only (hide all notifications, except for alarms).

In addition, it is also possible to schedule this feature for certain hours of the day. Ideal if you use your computer for personal, professional, and academic purposes.

Fifth, start talking instead of typing

Speech recognition has always been a positive point of Microsoft, and it comes with everything in Windows 10. If you have a busy routine, hold many meetings, this feature can be a great ally.

Read more: Increase productivity in meetings using Evernote

In this sense, you can use the dictation function to convert spoken words to text anywhere and any application on your Windows 10 computer. The feature is already installed in the operating system, that is, there is no need to download or install any other program. Check out how this is possible:

To start dictating, select the text field in the app you want and press the “Windows + H” keys to open the audio toolbar. And when you don’t want to dictate anymore, just stop talking or say “stop dictation”.

Speech recognition - Windows 10

The function is ideal for when you need to conduct an interview, it facilitates and a lot when transcribing. The only downside is that you will need to include punctuation manually.

Finally, knowledge doesn’t stop there. What do you think about learning – objectively and through practical situations – how to organize and create new routines that will increase your productivity?

What did you think about this content? Leave your opinion in the comments and share this material with your friends.

Moreover, take the opportunity to follow incredible videos of Organize na Pratica on Youtube.

Reference material 

  1. Organize na Pratica – Courses
  2. Youtube – Personal and Business Productivity  
  3. Organize your Calendar Practically and Effectively using Google Calendar – Click here to know more.
Categories
blog Organization

Organize your documents using this curious technique

Do you have difficulties in filing your documents in an organized way? Or, do you think it is difficult to find a document every time you need it? In this article, we will focus on how you can organize your documents, contracts, or any important file using a practical and quick technique. Check it out below.

Organize your documents: know the importance

set a productivity routine

Performing efficient document management is essential not only to facilitate the routine of a company but also to help you in your personal or academic life.

We accumulate documents with some frequency. Some of them can be discarded after a while, others are necessary to file correctly for eventual consultations.

And everyone knows that, with the lack of organization, how exhausting it is to go through all the folders – digital or physical – in search of an important document.

Therefore, document management is present as an administrative tool to facilitate both company processes and anyone’s personal routine.

It’s a set of techniques and procedures that allow you to organize and store your documents safely, enabling their quick location and correct disposal, in accordance with current legislation.

In addition to these benefits, good document and contract management can bring numerous benefits. Check out below some of them.

Finding what you need, when you need it

how to organize your documents and contracts

There is nothing worse than wasting time and energy looking for something that should be at your fingertips.

So when you organize your documents in one place, you know exactly what to look for and how to look, making your routine more productive.

Save physical space

In the course of our life or the progress of the company’s processes, we have accumulated a huge amount of papers. And thanks to technology, today, you are able to carry out a practical and secure digital storage to organize your documents.

Thus, saving physical spaces that can be used for other more important functions in the company, or even in your home.

So, select a day to separate the files. Check what can be digitized, and what you need to keep in physical format, as well as what can be discarded. And do this cleaning on your files.

With an organized space, your mind will also work in an organized way, and you have an extra gain.

Information security and confidentiality

When choosing a smart system to organize your documents, you will have the security and confidentiality of information. After all, when you register on any platform, you include your passwords and guarantee that no documents will be lost or breached.

This strategy is important, especially if you will use document management to organize your professional routine.

Time optimization and increased productivity

When you have all your documents organized in a single environment, you increase your productivity and optimize time. Because you know that you will find what you need more easily.

Organize your documents using this curious technique

When choosing the best platform to organize and manage your documents, you can evaluate the one with the best cost-benefit and with a simple and intuitive interface, to make your routine even more practical.

Today, the market offers a huge variety of management tools for you to organize your documents efficiently and with security, ensuring that you can find what you need and when you need it.

What we are going to present to you today is Evernote. A secure data repository that will enable you to organize and record all information quickly and all in one place. Thus, check below all the possibilities of this tool.

Read more: Evernote: Organize your Paper Notes Effectively

Define notebooks and tags by themes to organize your documents

notebooks-list-Evernote

To make it easier and faster, archive your documents in a segmented way and divide them into specific notebooks according to the theme, categorize each file using the tags that Evernote provides. That way, you’ll know where and how to find it more easily.

If your documents are very messy and you don’t have the time you need to scan them, or archive them, take a few minutes of the day to do it little by little. And when you imagine it, everything is already organized in one platform.

Create a document template and send it to everyone involved

share-notes-Evernote

In case you are thinking about implementing document management in your company, what will facilitate and a lot of teamwork is to create models and make available to all involved.

Evernote itself allows you to invite members to edit the files on your account.

So, if you have to fill out a common document for all customers, leave the document already saved in an Evernote note, and when you need to use it, just copy the template to another note and edit. Thus, you create an agile tool for one of your company’s processes and maintain the organization of your documents.

Create a routine and organize your documents

After sorting, scanning, and organizing your documents, create a routine so that at the end of the day, or at the beginning of the next day, you can archive all the documents accumulated throughout the day.

This way, you will create a routine of organization and never have to worry about the mess again.

Search your documents easily using this tool

search-within-documents-Evernote

In Evernote, both in the free and paid versions, it’s possible to locate a document from the tag included at the time the document was archived.

For example: include the word “invoices” in the search tool and all files categorized with this keyword will appear.

To further refine your search, also include the word “receipts”, and you will have your specific file in minutes.

In addition, in the Premium version, Evernote makes it possible to search within documents. Therefore, whenever you need to consult a contract clause, for example, just include the keyword in the search tool, and Evernote will retrieve the document in seconds.

Finally, to further facilitate your learning, watch below a video where, Mauricio Aizawa teaches, in practice, how to organize your documents and contracts with this technique. He also teaches you how to save a new file from notes, within Evernote.

In conclusion, how about creating a free Evernote account and start organizing your documents right now? 

Finally, what did you think about this content? How do you usually organize your documents? Leave your opinion in the comments and share this material with your friends.

Take the opportunity to follow Organize na Pratica on Instagram, and to follow more amazing videos on the YouTube channel.

Reference material 

  1. YouTube – Personal and Business Productivity     
  2. Set a productivity routine – Google Calendar + Evernote + Calendly   
  3. Organize na Pratica – Courses

Categories
blog Productivity

Productivity for those who want more time

Do you need to put an end to your procrastination and increase your productivity? Want to learn how to produce more in less time? Then read the tips we have prepared for you in this article. They are valuable productivity tips for you who want more time with the family, for leisure or simply to rest.

What is productivity?

Productivity is one of the most discussed topics in the routines of professionals and companies, if not the most recurring. And it’s no wonder, after all, productivity influences the agility of a business, a person’s work capacity, efficiency, optimization, and even the value of a service or product on the market.

But, what is productivity?

It’s the ability to perform as many activities as possible with less use of resources. In general, productivity is related to two indicators:

  • The quantity or quality of work done and;
  • The resources used to get the job done.

Tips on how to increase productivity and save up to 2x more time

Being productive means getting more done in less time. And it can make all the difference in your business. After all, you certainly have to deal with a lot of different demands every day.

And if you have a hard time solving or doing all tasks on time, you could end up hurting your career or your business.

Therefore, in this article, we have separated some tips to help you manage your time efficiently. And, consequently, increase your productivity to have more time at the end of the day for you to do what you want. Whether spending time with the family or investing in a personal project.

Check out the following tips.

1. Eliminate obstacles

eliminate obstacles for productivity

In short, productivity is related to time, the number of resources used and the amount produced.

And if you are a person who is always saying you don’t have time for anything, you may be facing many obstacles in your routine that take your time and make tasks longer and more tiring. Therefore, the first point is to define what the obstacles are.

  • What is taking more time in your daily life, more than it should?
  • And when you see an obstacle, what can you do today to solve it?
  • That is, what activities are unnecessary and can be eliminated?

Thinking and evaluating these questions will help you to have a clear view of how you are using your time.

2. Make a to-do list

to-do list to increase productivity

Once you have identified the obstacles that make your routine unproductive, build weekly and monthly task lists. They are important because they will direct your work and your day.

When you divide a large project into small steps or tasks, it becomes easier to carry it out, and it will be easier to achieve the goal or expected results.

You can use an agenda to make your to-do list, as well as using Google Calendar, for example.

The important thing is to list the tasks, at least one day before. This way, you will not waste time organizing, you will be able to take action.

3. Organize your work environment

organize your work and your mind

It may seem like an absurd tip, but what many people don’t realize is that disorganization in the external environment, also causes mental disorganization. In this way, more time and energy is needed to perform quality work.

After all, productivity is not just about productivity and time, but also about quality and the appropriate use of resources.

Also, who likes to work in a polluted or disorganized environment?

A good work environment is one in which you or your team are comfortable to perform activities efficiently.

So, organize your mind, if you need maximum concentration to perform a certain task, ask for the collaboration of others. If you work at home, talk to your family.

And always organize your table the way you feel comfortable and can find what you need without difficulty.

4. Set goals and objectives to improve productivity

If you start a project without a defined goal, you don’t know where to start, let alone what to do to accomplish it. It’s like leaving the house and going around the block because you don’t know where you’re going.

The same goes for activities and your routine. They need to have a well-defined goal and objective. It’s this objective that will indicate what the expected result is, as well as where you want to go when performing a certain task.

In doing so, the chances of achieving the result increases, as does your productivity.

5. Organize and plan your week

As well as the importance of the task list, organizing and planning the week is essential for increasing productivity.

And if you feel that you have difficulty starting your activities, or that you are always rushing to deliver your work on time, understand that perhaps this may be a lack of organization and planning.

Therefore, determine a specific day to list and organize your routine. So, if something unexpected happens, you can reorganize yourself more easily. After all, with an organized agenda, you have a broad view of what you need to do.

In addition, you can measure your performance by crossing out tasks as they are done.

6. Bet on time management

Time is the most important resource in our routine. However, if you cannot manage it correctly, it becomes impossible to have discipline, punctuality, and efficiency in your activities. As a result, you become an unproductive person.

Time management means the ability to know how to use it consciously to:

  • Increase yield;
  • Optimize the performance of tasks;
  • Reduce levels of stress and anxiety due to delays, rework, and activities left to the last hour.

In a nutshell, it’s about learning to have more control over your personal and professional routine. It has to do with how you manage time, that is, how much you spend on each activity.

And a very effective method to help you manage your time better is the Pomodoro Technique.

In short, it’s about working 25 minutes on a task without interruption, and at the end of that time, you take a 5-minute break to rest your mind.

After completing four cycles of 25 minutes of work, plus a 5-minute break, you can take a longer break of 15 to 20 minutes.

This technique will help you not only better manage and manage your time, but it will also help you become more productive, as you tend to focus on one thing at a time.

7. Do one thing at a time

And speaking of focusing on one thing at a time, this is an extremely important tip.

If you believe that to be productive you need to do four or five tasks at the same time, then stop what you are doing.

By focusing on just one task you can more easily remove those obstacles from the first tip, in addition to carrying out activities with greater efficiency and quality.

8. Invest in technology to increase productivity

technology to boost productivity

Last but not least: use technology to your advantage to increase productivity and save time.

There are people who believe that the internet can be a big villain for productivity. However, it can help you in countless ways.

Like, for example: eliminating unnecessary tasks, automating repetitive tasks, organizing processes and archiving documents and information in a simple and practical way.

In conclusion, what about learning to increase your Productivity and Organize your Personal and Business Routine, in a practical and easy way? 

Finally, what did you think about this content? What do you usually do to improve your productivity? Leave your opinion in the comments and share this material with your friends.

Reference material 

  1. YouTube – Personal and Business Productivity     
  2. Set a productivity routine – Google Calendar + Evernote + Calendly   
  3. Organize na Pratica – Courses