In keeping with our theme for this week (which is that the naturally disorganized get a bad rap), I am tackling one of those strategies that helps us to be more organized without a lot of effort on our part.
Do you already have a smartphone?
If you answered, “What is a smartphone?”, then you probably don’t have one, but I’m guessing that most of you already do. Smartphone is the term used for iOS (Apple), Android (Google), and Windows Phone (Microsoft) for a phone that has the features and functions of a computer. Smartphones require a data plan in order to use them effectively, and therefore the expense of a smart phone is the usual deterrent of getting one. However, for the naturally disorganized, I would argue that a smartphone is a wise investment – one that could save you money many times over by helping you meet commitments.
I started using a smartphone-like technology a LONG time ago. I had one of the first combo phone/PDA devices, the Treo. Are you impressed? Once I had kids, I found that I really needed to have my calendar with me at all times, and I didn’t want to carry around both a phone and a PDA. The Treo was able to sync with my work calendar, so it was perfect. Of course, the current smartphones are WAY improved from the Treo days.
The Treo – my first PDA/Phone combo.
The minimum features and functions that come with a smart phone are:
- A phone – which allows for you to make phone calls and text
- Internet accessibility – which allows for you to get your email as well as connect to the world-wide web
- A camera – which also functions as a web cam
- Applications – which allow you access to a myriad of functions
One of the main benefits of owning a smart phone is that it will allow you to have your calendar with you as long as you have your phone. If you read my post on “The Family Calendar”, then you will know how important it is to have and use a family calendar. The smartphone just extends the usefulness and effectiveness of the online calendar. Need to schedule the kid’s teeth cleanings six months from now? Check your calendar on your phone so you don’t schedule it the same week you are on vacation. Need to remember to send in Janey with her school project next week? Schedule in your task and a reminder to show up on your phone. You’re at the school open house and they are scheduling the parent-teacher conferences? Get the prime slot because you can whip out your phone and check to make sure that you don’t have a meeting or some other commitment at that time. I cannot tell you how many times this comes in handy, especially since I can see my work calendar on my phone. All the online calendar applications discussed in “The Family Calendar” post have applications for iOS and Android, and Windows Phone has a syncing function.
Applications, or “apps” as they are called, are programs built especially for a phone. Sometimes, they are just extensions of a web-based application – like a calendar. Sometimes, they are an application built just for use on the phone, for example, Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks have apps that give rewards and allow you to pay for your coffee via your phone.
Apps can help a naturally disorganized person by allowing them access to certain tasks wherever they are as long as they can connect to a network. I am going to dedicate whole blog posts to some of these apps, but for now, here are some of the apps that make me more successful:
- Google Maps – basically GPS for your phone. Helps me to look up places, and then gives me directions to the place from my current location, and it will walk you through the directions with voice commands. Thanks Google maps for getting me to where I need to be.
- Bank sites – I have my personal credit union’s app and Fidelity.com’s app. I used to have checks in my wallet for 6, 8, 24 months (yes, 24, shame), now I can instantly mobile deposit them. I can check my balances, and I can even transfer money on the spot. Thank you banking app for improving my financial situation.
- Shutterfly – My smartphone has a great camera, and often I have my phone (and not my camera) with me when I want to take a picture. It’s so easy to snap a picture – and, to be honest, lots of them are not worthy of saving, but for the ones that are, I have Shutterfly. Shutterfly is one of the premier photo storage and product sites on the internet. The phone app helps you to upload your phone photos directly to your Shutterfly account. No more downloading to the PC, then uploading to Shutterfly. Of course, you can also order and purchase products from the app too. Thank you Shutterfly for helping me organize and not lose precious photos.
- Inkpad – my latest phone came with a note taking app, but I had been using Inkpad before I got the new phone, and I really like the ease and simplicity of the app. I use this like a piece of paper to jot notes or keep a list. When I was redecorating my bathroom, I used Inkpad to write down measurements of the window and floor space so that when I was out shopping, I had that data with me. Thank you Inkpad for keeping things I need to remember all in one place where I can easily access it.
These are just a few of my favorites – of course I use email and text a lot. I especially like the voice-to-text mode for sending an email or text when you don’t have time (or hands) to type one out. There are a ton more apps on my phone, and I have to admit that some are just for fun:
- Shazam – you know when you are sitting in the restaurant and some song comes on and you are arguing about who is the artist? Shazam to the rescue. “Shazam” any music or tv show that is playing in the background, and it will find you the name of the song, artist, or tv show.
- MapMyRun – this application will track the route you walk/run and calculate the calories burned.
- Amazon Kindle – there is a Kindle app that lets you use your phone as an e-reader. I have one of the big phones – Samsung Galaxy Note III, so this is not too bad on the eyes. I love that I always have a book with me for when I find myself waiting somewhere.
You can see that a phone will put technology at your fingertips wherever you are. This can be a good or bad thing, but I think it’s mostly a good thing if you are organizationally challenged – it’s just the kind of time/benefit trade off that we love.
Do you have a favorite app to help with organization? What is it, and why do you love it?
