Tag Archive for: list making

App Inventor Makes Lists to Do More

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Lists make life easier — plain and simple. Recently I introduced you to my new favorite list-making tool to keep track of all the restaurants I love or want to try called Matchbook. It allows you to easily add restaurants and any place with an address really – to your iPhone. I’ve used it about a zillion times since finding it. Seriously.

The brain behind this incredible app is, of course, a list maker. Meet Jason Schwartz — this month’s Featured List Producer:

Q: Why do you call yourself a compulsive list producer?

A: I actually consider myself a compulsive list-enabler. I constantly see ineffective lists in action, and that is what drives things at Matchbook. The same scrappy list of bars and restaurants shows up repeatedly in the notepad of people’s phones. If you ask people if this list is useful, they say that it isn’t. Lists are supposed to make us more efficient and organized, and a massive number of people compulsively create restaurant lists that don’t live up to that promise. I want to make all that work useful.

Q: What do you make lists about?

A: My first love is lists of places. Restaurants, bars, and shops that I want to go to, or remember to go back to. It’s like my little black book of gems that I know about and nobody else does. Read more

Save Your Favorite Places With Matchbook

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I’m all about shortcuts to make life easier – even when it comes to list making. Up until now I had been testing out a few apps to store my “must try” and “favorite” restaurants. But I kept reverting back to my usual list-making ways: writing them down and storing them in Evernote or Wunderlist. Those have all worked fine.

But – I have found an app that is smart and easy to use and does just what I need it to do. Perfect! Gone are the days of trying to remember the name of that restaurant or shop that you passed by last week. Now all you have to do is download one app – Matchbook.

Matchbook allows you to enter the name of the place you want to remember manually or search for it. If you are nearby – you can click the button “I’m walking by it” and Matchbook will find it for you! Brilliant!

You can add tags to remember certain things about the place like if it’s got a great brunch, is loud or is super trendy. If you’re stumped for a spot to meet friends after work – you can search via neighborhood and tags. It’s much easier to navigate than Yelp’s vast database of knowledge but the searching is a bit quirky. That will be fixed in future updates, I’m sure!

It works all over the world and organizes your bookmarks by area, which makes it easy to find a place quickly. There’s also a map so you can see your bookmarks laid out in front of you and see what you’re closest to.

You can share places with friends but you don’t have to “friend” anyone through the app. Just lots and lots of list making! Check it out and let me know what you think.

List of Travel Essentials

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Planning a vacation can be both fun and stressful. I, of course, always make multiple lists to make sure I’m organized so I can save time, money and reduce stress. One of the things I’ve been thinking about lately is what are the essential items that I take on every trip?

You know those things that come in handy no matter what state, city or country you are in? Those really smart items that you think — “I’m so glad I brought this!”

I’ve started a list of some ideas and would love for you to join in and help me compile a really great collection.

 

Revamp Your To-Do List to Stop Procrastinating

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You know how I love lists…but I realize that sometimes they can overwhelm us.  Even I’ve been a little stressed by all of the things on my to-do list from time to time.

This panic can lead to putting off what you need to get accomplished –- but it doesn’t have to!  By simply modifying HOW you make your lists — you will cut down on procrastination.

Here are 5 ways to revamp your to-do list and be more productive:

1. Break up your list into sections. By making lists in categories like “job, family, home” — you will be less overwhelmed and be able to tackle each one individually. Read more

Get Organized & Win Prizes

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Spring seems to be the season where everyone decides to get his or her act together. Maybe it’s the birds chirping or the flowers blooming – but for some reason…we all want to clean something during this time of renewal. So with that in mind – I’m teaming up with KnockKnockStuff.com to help you do it with a FREE “Spring Organizing Kit.”

Spring Organizing Contest

KnockKnockStuff.com sells unique and fun list paper, organizational products and gifts. It’s a really great place to find ways to stay productive and not take yourself too seriously. I’ve been buying their stuff for years.

Pinterest.com has become one of my latest addictions. It’s like visual list making! If you don’t have an account yet – it’s by invitation only. So follow me and I’ll invite you – you’ll be up and pinning in no time!

Both equal in their fabulousness, I decided to bring them all together for a fun contest! The winner of which will win these fabulous prizes:

• Things to Do Around the House Pad

• Utility Task Clips

• Stuff/Docs/Bills File Folders

Winning!

But it’s not a total freebie – you have to work for this great prize! It will be entertaining though – I promise. Here’s a list of what you need to do:

1. Follow KnockKnockStuff’s Pinterest boards

2. Create a pinboard titled “Spring Organizing” and pin a minimum of 15 pins on the theme of getting organized for spring

3. Include at least 5 product images from KnockKnockStuff.com

4. Include at least 5 post images from ListProducer.com

5. Hashtag all of your pins #springorganizing so we can find them

6. Send me an email to paula@listproducer.com with your first name, email address and a link to your pinboard

For a complete list of rules click here.

The contest runs from May 22nd – May 29th. I will pick a winner and announce it on June 5th. Judging will be based on creativity, composition and uniqueness of the pins. Happy Pinning!