OmmWriter

If there is one thing that I am absolutely sure of, it is that I love writing. It was something in which I was excelling in school. My pleasure in writing inspired me to pick up the major, minor and certificate that I have chosen to pursue in college...all writing intensive.

Now, while I thoroughly enjoy the process of developing an idea, brainstorming the ways in which to communicating it, getting it on paper and engaging in an intense editing process...it does not always come easy. I am some who can get easily distracted and can lose focus with one swift click over to Buzzfeed--perhaps I should just pursue a career at Buzzfeed?

Two years ago, I discovered the computer application OmmWriter from a fellow blogger. I downloaded the free version and found a new place to write without being so easily distracted by the evil internet. OmmWriter opens so that it takes up the entire screen; as in you cannot access your application bar either. Good thinking on their part! The background is a soft white, gray or pink; you can adjust fonts and the sounds that you hear. It is suggested that you use the application with your earbuds/headphones plugged in to get the better experience--the light clicking as you type letters in and the calming background music.

Some of my best writing assignments have been written on OmmWriter. I enjoy just writing on it and not worrying about formatting as I am working...better to deal with that later! I highly recommend this program. You can download the program (here). When I downloaded it two years ago, I did have the option of getting it for free, but it looks like that is no longer the case. However, there is no set price for it...you determine what it is worth.

<3 Ashley

Do you use OmmWriter? Will you try it out?

On Productivitiy

Image

As a college student I have my studies, on campus job and the stress of applying for a million summer internships until some responds telling me that they are interested in giving me money and responsibility. Fingers crossed on that last one, folks! Anyway, I have a lot on my plate plus my commitment to blogging pretty frequently based on my stress level that week. While I do consider myself to be a well organized and responsible person, I do believe that there is always room for improvement.

This month I committed myself to figuring out ways to get even more organized and stay productive. If my assumptions based on the grades that I have gotten back are correct, I have some pretty squeaky clean grades and need to maintain them for this last month of the semester (read: hell month). I have millions of papers and digital media projects due throughout these next four weeks and need to distribute my attention to all of them somehow.

I have cleaned up my tech and downloaded a few apps to keep me organized as the spring semester draws to an end:

- Emails: As I am sure you do, I have more than one email account. I have decided to make the commitment to one and have linked the others so that all of my other mail can be forwarded to one account. This empties my brain of a few passwords!

- Sunrise Calendar: While I do have access to Google calendar, I have heard a lot about the Sunrise calendar app and have fallen in love with it. It is linked up on both my MacBook and my iPhone. I use this in conjunction with my weekly planner and my desk calendar. That way I am reminded constantly of impending due dates and events.

- EverNote: This is another nifty little app that can be downloaded on both your phone and computer. I like to use it for to-do lists, which I like to use for any tasks I have to do at work, and also grocery lists. It is also where I keep record of my blog content. I have several notes specific to different topics (i.e. recipes, lifestyle, etc).

<3 Ashley

How do you maintain your productivity and keep organized?