Y’all, I work a full-time job as a copywriter and that means, some days the fiction gets to take the back seat. Okay…not just some days. A lot of days. I mean, when you’re slamming out blog posts, writing ad copy, creating radio scripts, and trying to come up with engaging social media posts for clients, finding the motivation to write for pleasure can be hard.
Recently, I’ve been looking for new ways to boost my productivity and make multitasking a bit easier even during the workday. And it’s helping. In the last week, I’ve written close to 16,000 words.
So, I wanted to share what I’ve found with you in the hopes that it can save you the time and frustration of having to research different productivity hacks.
Note: These are products I use personally. I’m not sponsored by any of the companies though it would be really cool if I was.
The Right Keyboard
When you’re typing all day, the right keyboard can make all the difference. I’ve tried my fair share of them over the years, but two options really stand out for me: the Logitech Ergo K860 and the Apple Magic Keyboard.
Yeah, I’m one of those people that use two keyboards and it totally depends on where I’m working. If I’m working on a small table without room to spread out, I’ll use the Apple Magic Keyboard or stick to the one built into my laptop. The keys are nice, responsive, and large enough that you don’t have to be super precise about each keystroke. But best of all, they’re quiet—an absolute must when I’m working super early in the morning while my wife is still sleeping.
But when I’m working at a larger desk (let’s be honest, it’s just the long side of my RV’s dining table), I like to use the K860. The split design took a few days to get used to, but my typing speed now averages about 95 wpm on the thing. Not great, but not too shabby. At $129, it’s far from cheap, but it keeps the wrist pain at bay.
The real selling point on the keyboard though is that it pairs to more than one device and can switch between computers with the touch of a button. This makes it a lot easier for me to switch from my work laptop to my personal laptop where I usually have my WIP pulled up on the screen. I can jot down whatever is floating around in my brain and then quickly transition back to work mode.
A Laptop Stand
I used to think that ergonomics were overrated. And then I turned 30. I need my screen high enough up off the table that I’m not straining my neck to see what I’m typing. If I lived in a normal house with a proper desk that didn’t need to be packed up at the end of each day, I’d just use an external monitor. But I don’t have that type of luxury.
So, I use a laptop stand. My current one is a Roost. It’s super lightweight and collapses into next to nothing, making it great for living in under 250 square feet. I’ve had mine for going on four years and have beaten the crap out of it, but it still works.
Noise Cancelling Headphones
I have a VERY vocal cat. If he’s bored, he lets me know. If he’s hungry, he lets loose a yowl that can probably be heard miles away. Headphones are sometimes the only reason I’m able to get work done.
Over the years, I’ve acquired several pairs and I use each one throughout the day. Take that, ear fatigue!
When I’m on Zoom calls or just want something super lightweight, I grab my AirPods Pro. Look, I’ll be the first to admit that they’re not perfect. The earbuds pop out sometimes and the pressure inside my ear canal can lead to discomfort after hours of wear. But they’re small and their Bluetooth range is massive.
The active noise canceling can take a bit to get used to. But it’s invaluable for tuning out Charlie’s demands.
When I need a break from the earbud experience, I swap them out for solid on-ear headphones. My current favorite is the LSTN Troubadour 2.0. They’re supremely comfortable and are truly wireless so I can move around the RV without a problem. Even better, they block a fair amount of noise even though they’re not true noise-canceling headphones.
Juggling Stuff
I may live in a small space, but that doesn’t mean I’m comfortable sitting still all day long. I need to move around a lot. It helps me think and makes solving work-related issues and plot problems alike much easier.
I try to keep a set of juggling balls within reach at all times. This way, if I feel stuck, I can hop out of my seat and juggle through writer’s block. I’ve been juggling on and off for years and can highly recommend the YouTube channel Taylor Tries if you want to give it a go. Her tutorials are epic and she’s just a really cool person.
My Under-Desk Elliptical
Did I mention that I hate sitting still? I move around a lot and it may or may not drive my wife nuts because even the slightest movement rocks the entire RV. And in such a small space, it’s not like I can invest in an adjustable sit-stand desk with a treadmill underneath it. Someday, I might. But it’s not in the cards for now.
So, I use an under-desk elliptical to help me stay focused. The movement takes a few days to get used to, but once you do, you pedal without realizing you’re doing it. This helps me stay focused and makes it easier for me to get into deep work mode for hours at a time.
I did tons of research before choosing the Cubii JR. If you’re thinking of buying one, wait for a holiday sale or scour the internet for a discount code. They’re not cheap, but it’s fairly easy to snag them for 10-30% off around the holidays.
Keep in mind that their site proudly proclaims the machines for weight loss and exercise. I’m not convinced…I have yet to get my heart rate into my cardio zone using the elliptical. If you’re looking for something that will give you a good workout, you’ll likely want to look elsewhere. But if you’re looking for something to help you move more throughout the day, this will do the trick.
Notebooks
In college, I was one of those weirdos that handwrote my term papers before typing them up. My work isn’t conducive to writing everything by hand, but I still find it a useful tool when the blinking cursor wreaks havoc on my anxiety.
I try to keep a few notebooks on hand at all times to jot down ideas, plot points, fun words, and anything else that pops into my head. Any old notebook will do. But I tend to stay away from legal pads just because they get destroyed so quickly.
A Bullet Journal
Managing a full-time job and a passion project at the same time means I need to stay organized and on top of my to-do lists. I tried Trello and other freebie project management apps but could never make them work for me. They all seemed clunky and I usually forgot to update my lists throughout the day, so they weren’t practical.
I switched to using the bullet journal method a year ago and haven’t looked back.
Any notebook, legal pad, or dedicated bullet journal will work just fine. You don’t have to spend $50 on a planner unless you want to. I’ve used the method on blank printer paper, sticky notes, graph paper, etc.
You can keep things simple with basic daily layouts and lists or make them fancy like so many YouTubers are doing. The key is to find what works for you and stick with it.
External Drive(s)
I have fallen victim to the inevitable computer crash more times than I can count. Though I’ve managed to recover some files, I’ve lost others and had to start from scratch.
Always have an external drive nearby and back your work up at least once a week. When I’m making serious progress, I try to back things up every couple of days just to play it safe.
And Now, Back to Writing!
These are just a few of the tools I rely on every day.