Summary: This is our first Q & A episode and I’m excited about it. In today’s episode I discuss: 1) creative ways to use the results from your productivity heat map, 2) how I suggest people approach heat mapping when their schedule is largely determined by somebody else, and 3) what tools I use for blogging. At the end of the episode I’ll let you know a few of the other questions I’m going to be answering in the next Q & A so keep your ears open for that. Ready? Let’s do this! Key Takeaways: [0:56] Thank you to SaneBox.com for sponsoring episode #90. [2:00] What’s going on with the format of the show? [6:11] Question #1 from Jennifer - What are some creative ways to use the results from your productivity heat map? [7:59] Think about the 4 different types of blocks you might have throughout your day - Creative, Social or Service, Admin, and Recovery. [9:05] What’s the schedule sorting game and when should you play it? [10:35] Basically, you plan your day based upon the different blocks & you use those blocks very seriously. [16:30] Question #2 from Laura - How does Charlie suggest to approach heat mapping when your schedule is largely determined by somebody else? [18:32] Charlie's first tip is to un-schedule a day from your schedule. [20:22] Charlie’s second tip is to separate what’s on your schedule with how you actually feel. [22:25] Bottom line on what to do when you don’t have autonomy over your schedule? Listen in for the communication piece you can steal and use with your workplace. [25:23] Question #3 from Patricia - What tools does Charlie use for blogging? [26:22] Writing tools: TextMate or Lightroom, then copied them into WordPress. [28:17] Charlie uses an Idea Garden to capture blog post ideas. [29:05] Another tool is the Blog Post Calendar which you can download for free. [30:04] Charlie uses Jetpack by WordPress and Google Analytics to keep track of stats. [31:21] Charlie catalogs posts mostly by memory. [32:05] Social media tools: The native platforms like Twitter, Facebook, then Buffer and now Edgar. [33:25] What about refreshing and recycling social media content? [37:36] A recap of the tools: Google Docs, Jetpack for WordPress Stats or Google Analytics, Blog Post Calendar, Edgar, and Rainmaker. [38:11] Big thanks to Jennifer Layton, Laura Hackle and Patricia Bravo for their great questions. [38:21] Coming up on the next Q & A: Examples of triggers & why they matter, how Charlie worked through with what needed to happen with the Live Your Legend transition, and maybe one of your questions which you can email to charlie@prductiveflourishing.com. [38:39] If you liked this episode or the show in general, please leave a review or rating on iTunes to help us reach more people. Go to bit.ly/creativegiantshowfaq for a walkthrough on how to do this! Mentioned in This Episode: SaneBox.com/Giant @CharlieGilkey on Twitter Episode 47: The Future of the Creative Giant Show Get more done in less time by heat mapping your productivity Idea Garden The Blog Post Planner and Calendar TextMate Lightroom WordPress Markdown Jetpack for WordPress Google Docs WordPress Stats Google Analytics Edgar Rainmaker
