Certainly one of the top resolutions people, writers included, make each year is to get better organized.  As readers of this blog know, it’s one of my chief themes, one of the four cornerstones of productivity for writers.  Gathered here are several tools which may really help you out.

TimeGT

I’m most intrigued by the brand new FREE software TimeGT.  Anyone who has tried the Getting Things Done method and failed to keep the system going [hey, that's me!] will be very intrigued with the software.

There’s a clear and fairly thorough review of the software, with screenshots, just posted yesterday at Make Use Of.

To fully appreciate the power, yet simplicity of the program, one really needs to have some understanding of the GTD method.  Essentially all tasks fall into three categories:  Next Actions, Waiting For or Someday/Maybe.  Then one must consider just where these tasks are to be done, or better phrased, in what context:  office, home, computer, telephone, shopping, church are some examples — others might be when energy is high, or energy is low.  TimeGT makes it easy to dump your tasks into the program, to categorize them — and most important, to find them all neatly organized, like all the tasks to be completed at the computer, in one place.

But the program goes beyond that, allowing organization by project, or by area of life, such as romance [never forget to buy that little gift that occurred to you].  And if you need access to the program and data on different computers, TimeGT has a low-cost way to back up and syncronize it among any number of computers.

As a brand new program, it still has some limitations.  I especially look forward to a smartphone app, so that I can dump new tasks into the program even when away from the computer.  Currently, the product lacks good documentation.  BUT there is a brief tutorial video, which you’ll find in this blog’s sidebar for the next few days.  The video is also at my VIDEO FOR WRITERS site and at the TimeGT site as well.  I found that I had to view the video several times to learn how to properly enter data.

TOM’S PLANNER

You may wish to supplement TimeGT with another brand new program, still in beta development.  Tom’s Planner is a facility that I have actually wanted for over three decades!  I learned about GANTT CHARTS way back then, a system developed by people managing huge projects.  I loved the visual simplicity of the charts, but most implementations were way too complicated for the simple projects I was handling.  Moreover, I wanted something that would be able to show several on-going projects simultaneously.

That’s exactly what Tom’s Planner does.  Look at the video in the sidebar — or at my VIDEO FOR WRITERS site if it has already scrolled out of the box.  It’s also available on the application website.  For me, it’s simple to manage, and it makes my multiple projects so visual.

This application is web-based and is still in beta.  To use it, you must set up a beta online account.  There’s no indication yet of the eventual cost of this service.  Usually, those who participate get free use for an extended period or, at the minimum, a nice price discount.

I see this new application as a perfect companion to TimeGT.

LEADER TASK

This suggestion is time sensitive.  Bits du Jour has arranged for a deep one-day-only 75-percent discount on the powerful time and project manager Leader Task Home Edition.  This software takes a much more traditional approach:  calendar, contacts, tasks organizer.  But it adds additional functionality, perhaps too much for a writer — but one doesn’t have to make use of all the features, and at the price, it’s a great deal.  You can check out the deal and download the program for evaluation right away — but purchase must be on Thursday, January 14.  To understand the program, go take a look at all the self-explanatory screenshots.

While somewhat out of date, there is a very, very thorough review at dotTech.  In fact, this is perhaps the best review I’ve ever read about a time and task management software — it’s more like a tutorial about how to organize your life.  I highly recommend that you read it, even if you do not decide to buy the program.

EssemtialPIM

I purchased Leader Task in an earlier Bits du Jour deal and like it.  But I have stuck with a similar though less powerful program EssentialPIM.  There’s a FREE version, which I used for several years.  I eventually upgraded to the PRO version, which adds some useful functionality in tracking Projects.  EssentialPIM is now on version 3, which adds email management.  You can see my review of the free version 2, which is still an accurate description of the program and its capabilities.  In an update review of the PRO version, I include screenshots of how I use the program to manage my projects.

LIQUID STORY BINDER

Bits du Jour has yet another deal for you this week:  a one-day half price discount on Liquid Story Binder.  This is a breathtakingly different program designed just for creative writers.  In fact, it offers more of a “total writer’s environment,” rather than just another word processor.  Again, I’ll rely on my previous review to give you an introduction to the program.  There are a few new, significant features to mention:  mind mapping, full screen editing and a distraction-free typewriter mode.  You can get it on Wednesday only, January 13 for $22.98.

DISCLAIMER:

I have no affiliation with any of these companies.  In fact, I have evaluated either their free version — OR purchased the program at previous discount opportunities.  I personally think highly of all four programs, all of which offer great help in getting organized for 2010.