Hei Again, Blog! Time Management is hard...

It has been six months since the last time I wrote a blog post. A lot of things happen, especially in how life goes by. Sounds cheesy but it's true. haha

I've been work on some projects, classes, research, organization stuff, and any other important things that make my life super busy in these six months. Even when I write this now, I tried very hard to have time to write even one post. I still have a lot of things need to be handled after I write this blog post.

But when I think about what topic I should choose for today, I do not have any idea. I just couldn't think of one. But then, I got an email from one of my blog readers, she asked me about how life's going, how's my study, and how I manage my time well in my busy life. That's when I realize I have to write about this. Time Management.
Honestly, it's hard to explain how I manage my time because it's all about learned from mistakes. For instance, I learned that I can't say "yes" to everything that my friends asked me to do because it will make my day a lot busier than ever. From mistakes, I can give some suggestions for everybody who needs my help to manage their time.

1. Plan Your Day Every Morning

If you are one of my blog readers, you already knew that I love planners. I always bring my planner everywhere I go and always write everything that I have to do in the day or following days. You don't have to have a good, bling, or colorful planners to plan your day. You just need a notebook (small one) that you can carry wherever you go and fill with your To Do List.

Start with answering this question, "What are the most important things to do today?"

For example, your answers are "Go to classes,  Meet with Emma, and Do homework."

Then, you just have to make the details of those answers, like "Go to Statistic class at 9.15 am in A Building" or "Meet with Emma at 12.30 in Starbucks, have lunch together, bring our project paper."

So, why you have to do this every morning?

Well... as my experience told me, in the morning (after Shubuh prayer usually) is the best time to make use of your brain and start planning your day. Your mind is fresh, and your body is fresh too, after got a nice fresh morning air and water. You can do this after Fajr prayer like I said before if you are Muslim, and if not, you can try to wake up around 5 am in the morning. After a nice bath and refreshing a cup of water, you can start to plan your day before do your daily routine.

Todo List by : LivreTheBooks on Etsy

2. Bring your Planner Everywhere

Like I said, a planner is essential when it's small enough to be placed in your bag. You will need this all the time if you want to have a better time management.

Let's say... you meet a friend for dinner. Then, suddenly he/she said that there's a great gag night that they want to attend with you next Saturday. When you have your planner, you can quickly put the schedule on so that you will not going to forget what will you do on next Saturday. And also, if you already have a plan in that night, you can also directly tell your friend that you can't go and maybe change the date.

Another example, in class, when the teacher told you about homework that has a different deadline than it used to be. For instance, the teacher usually asked everybody to hand in the homework on D-1. But then, suddenly the teacher told you to hand-in on D-3. You absolutely don't want to miss the deadline, right? The planner is the solution.

3. Say "No" if You Already Booked

Sometimes, saying "No" to your friend, teacher, family, or anyone that needs your help to do something is hard. I understand it very much because that's what happen to me a year ago. But then, I realized, if I always say "yes" when still have a lot of things to be handled, I will be messed up.

Start to say something like "Hey I'd like to help but sorry on that day I have other things to do and I'm afraid I can't help you."

I believe they will understand and will not going to push you to do whatever they want you to do. If they still insist, you can show them your planner.

4. Use Productivity App

If you think planner is for a girly girl, you can choose a productivity app instead of a paper planner. There are a lot of app that you can find on Google Play or App Store. You just to find the best one for you. Build-in app also good, because usually they already provided you with a lot of functionality for planning your day.

5. Be Consistent

You already have your planner or app, you already said "No" when you can't do something, then the most important thing is "Be Consistent"

You have stick on your schedule on the day. If you can't do it, promise that you will do it in the first place in the following morning. It will be useless if you have planner but you don't stick to it, isn't it?


I think that's all I can share wit you today. I hope that I can post some new stuff next week. I will try my best to keep posting about life and productivity as a Muslim, an international student, a wife, and a traveller.

Please have comments below about your thoughts in productive life. :)

Our First Shop : LivreTheBooks is Launched !!

After more than a year planning and designing, I am proudly say that our first online shop is launched this week!! Alhamdulillah.... ^^

Our shop's name is Livre The Books.
We sell printable custom planner and notebook for people who like to have their own personalized planner or notebook.

Me and my best friend, Dini, are launching our first online shop on Etsy. You can check on our shop in this link http://livrethebooks.etsy.com./

As you know that I love organizing so much and since 2 years ago I made my own planner for my personal used. However suddenly I got an idea to sell my design because there are so many people ask me where to buy planner like I have. So, I asked Mbak Dini to become my partner for this business. She's a great person for designing things. We knew each other since we're in college because she's my senior. But, we already became a partner in crime since 3 years ago when we're in Taiwan.

We don't have any background in Design (we are Informatics Engineering graduate by the way), but we have hobby in designing things (started with posters for our organizations' activities) and we have the same dream. We want to have our own business. We want to become entrepreneur from our hobby.

Alhamdulillah Allah gives us a way to make that dream come true.

We become a business partner now. I am the planner designer and she's the cover & divider designer.

We're proudly say that "We are trying as the best as we can to be one of the young muslimah entrepreneur even from a small step"

We believe that this small step can lead us to a bigger success.

If you like planners or organizers (especially when you like something made only for you a.k. custom), you can contact us directly and we will personalized what you want.

We sell a PDF Printable files. So, you can print it by yourself at your home. You just simply buy what you need on our Etsy Shop, links http://livrethebooks.etsy.com./

Products that we sell are general planner and muslim planner, which includes :

✿ Monthly planner
✿ Weekly planner
✿ Daily planner
✿ Reading Log
✿ Password Log
✿ Meeting Record
✿ Meal Planning and Exercise Tracking
✿ etc.

You can buy each of those items or you can buy our bundled package, which is of course cheaper than one item price.

Because it's the opening week, we give you this special discount if you want to buy it. This is the coupon code that you can use when purchasing any of our products. You can get 15% discount with this coupon.

LIVRE01PROMO

This promo code is valid until 31 December 2015.

If you have any trouble in purchasing or you have questions, don't hesitate to contact us and we will trying to help you.

We are looking forward for your review and purchase on our shop!! ^__^

Here are some pictures of our products for you :)

  Check on our Dated Monthly Planner in https://www.etsy.com/listing/245393033/2015-2016-dated-monthly-pdf-printable?ref=shop_home_feat_1

 

  Check on our Dated Weekly Planner in https://www.etsy.com/listing/245501490/2015-2016-dated-weekly-pdf-printable?ref=shop_home_feat_2

Check on our Weekly Planner in https://www.etsy.com/listing/245511660/weekly-planner-pdf-printable-colorful?ref=related-1

 

Check on our Daily Planner in https://www.etsy.com/listing/245617438/daily-planner-pdf-printable-todo-list-2?ref=related-3

Check on our Expense Manager in https://www.etsy.com/listing/245523397/expense-manager-budget-planner-bill?ref=related-7

For other products you check on our Etsy Shop on http://livrethebooks.etsy.com/ or click picture below

[Ramadhan Series] Day 5 : Learn How to be Productive at Work / School on Ramadhan

So, today I got a chance to join a webinar by ProductiveMuslim.com entitled Work Productive on Ramadhan. When I got an email from them that I can join this webinar for free, I got very excited because this is what I need the most.

Of course everybody know that we have to fasting in Ramadhan and some (or most) people thought that it will decrease our energy level and can't be productive, so then it's okay to be lazy around and not doing something productive. Unfortunately, non-muslims tend to relate Ramadhan with the laziness of muslims. we don't want to be related with lazy, right?

So, I want to give the summary of the webinar into this article and hope it can help you guys a lot in your daily basis on Ramadhan and get the most out of it.

There are three kinds of Muslims on Ramadhan :

1. The Career Focus

Muslims who focus on their career or school activity on Ramadhan, just like on other months. And not make the most out of Ramadhan. So, their ibadah is less than their work.

2. Ramadhan Focused

Muslims who focus on Ramadhan only. They focus on gaining relationship with Allah SWT. They didn't do their job like usual or go to school. Only ibadah on this month.

3. The Survivors

Muslims who can balancing between The Career Focus and Ramadhan Focus. So, they tend to do both in balancing time. But, mostly, not related with each other.

Which one do you think is you?

So, there is another term that ProductiveMuslim.com have, which is The Productive Muslim Workforce

In Islamic point of view, Work is inside Spirituality. Why?

Work is a means to our sustenance to help us fulfill our obligations and live a dignified life. As an example, Prophet Daud a.s. who was the richest man, he works then became rich, Rasulullah Muhammad SAW also an entrepreneur who works to fulfill his duty as the man in the family and live a dignified life.

Work is a testing ground for our Islamic manners and ethics.  We already knew how to be a great Muslims not only from Qur'an but also Hadist. But, we can't only 'know' that but we have to implement all of those manners and ethics. That's what one of the purpose of work. How we develop relationship with others, be discipline, etc.

Work is where we add value to humanity. We work to do something for the company, instead of building a product or managing something. All of that is because company want to make something that can be sold to people. That product is of course might be useful for others. So, working is one way to be useful to others.

The next question is... your work is a Job, Career, or Calling? 

Imam Al-Ghazali ever mentioned three types of people :

1. Distracted by the Dunya

2. Distracted by the Akhira

3. Dunya supports Akhira and Akhira supports Dunya

Indeed, I believe many people is one who distracted by the Dunya ( only works and live the life on eart and never think about life in akhira) or distracted by the Akhira (only ibadah and forget to work and be the man of the family). And I also believe that all Muslims in the world want to be in the 3rd category. But how Dunya supports Akhira and Akhira supports Dunya?

We have to know the meaning of Ibadah. Ibadah is not only Pray 5 times a day and sunnah prayer, recite Qur'an, become Hafidz / Hafidzah, help others in need, Hajj, always in mosque, etc. But working is also ibadah. Go to school is also ibadah. Provide foods and money for family is also ibadah. Be discipline at work is also ibadah.

So, with that state of mind... we can start to balance ibadah for Akhira and ibadah for Dunya.

There is a question that might be helped you understand... How is your work part of your spiritual development? think about this for a moment.

So, How Ramadhan boost your work productivity?

Basically you have to understand first that Ramadhan is the month of Barakah. The month of blessings that Allah gave to us. So, why don't we ask Allah to give blessings in our work or our opportunity or our business or anything ?

Ramadhan is actually can help us to learn to be focus on what we did. Maybe some people might not agree because they might think that because they didn't eat they will loose focus. But, that's not what Ramadhan meant. Before Ramadhan, we tend to do things that unnecessary in life like watch movies, listening to music, and eating. But during Ramadhan, we decrease all of that. Allah gives us more time to focus on our ibadah in our work and Ramadhan is the month to learn focus.

Discipline is another key. Being discipline is part of Islamic manners and ethics. Ramadhan also taught us to be discipline during our fasting. For example when we are fasting, we have to fast not only for our stomach but also heart. How to maintain our heart is part of the discipline. So, when you want to boost your productivity during ramadhan, being discipline is a key. Discipline to time management.

And how to make it as a routine... How to Build a Productivity Work / Life Routine During Ramadhan?

There are three keys to make productivity lifestyle as a routine, so that it's not only work on Ramadhan but also after Ramadhan.

1. Understand your Roles

We have roles in our life. For example for me, as a wife, daughter, sister, teacher, friend, muslimah, business woman, student, and worker. Too much? maybe not. Because everybody have their own roles in their life. So, what's yours? Understand your roles and how many time you spend for each of your roles, help you manage your daily productivity.

I will make myself as an example in this case.

So, we have to make priority based on roles but doesn't mean the first priority is closing other priority. Roles as a Muslimah is number one because it represents our relationship with Allah SWT. Then, because I already married, the second roles is as a wife, how I spend my time with my husband and my responsibility to him. Third role is as a daughter to my parents, am I already spent enough time with them, am I call them enough, or are they already happy with what I did. Fourth role is a sister, on how my relationship with my sisters and brother, is it need more time to be spent together with and we can be stronger as ever. Next role is as a friend, did I already have a good relationship with my friends, or do I have to have an iftar party for them in our house. Because I'm a student, I have to think about my research and how I spend my time for my research, is it already balanced with other roles. Become a business woman is a challenged because I didn't spent my full time on it, so I have to think again about the meaning in this business. And I also a worker, even it's just a part-time job I have to think about my discipline, did I already good at work or need improvement, is my boss ok with my job or not, and something like that.

So, you get what I meant in here? maybe you can start think first on your roles before you continue reading.

2. Set your Goals

After you understand your roles, you can start to set your goals for each roles. For example, as a Muslimah I want to set goals in this Ramadhan that I want to finish reading Qur'an and understand the meaning of Surah Al-Kahf. As a wife, I want to prepare iftar and sahoor everyday for my husband. As a student, I want to finish my research model this month.

Or you also can set goals based on three things, which are Spiritual Goals, Social Goals, and Physical Goals. These goals can help you stay focus and discipline throughout the month and get ready to continue set another goals when Ramadhan end.

3. Build a Routine

If you try to get your goals on daily basis, it means you build it as a routine. Don't be lazy because it will not going to help you come across your goals.

4. Review Daily

At the end of the day you should review daily on what you already did that day. Is there anything special? How's your life going on Ramadhan? Are you already follow on your routine?

With reviewing, you can see what improvement you already did and what need to be done tomorrow.

I understand that make goals as routine is not easy. I also ever experienced it and I need tools to help me with that. I've ever mentioned in many articles about how to be productive using planners. If you need that, you can download it for free in this link.

Or you also can use several apps for your phone if you don't like papers. Like for example Todoist, Evernote, etc. 

For your Ramadhan, I suggest you to use app called Ramadhan Legacy. It can help you track your daily ibadah routine on Ramadhan.

Okay... so... hope this summary of the webinar on ProductiveMuslim.com help you guys on your work productivity during Ramadhan. InshaAllah.

Wish we can get the most out of Ramadhan and Allah blesses us with Barakah on this month and after.

Jazakallahu Khairan Katsiran.

[Ramadhan Series] Day 3 : Nap Dreams Became Real

Dreams... everyone has dreams when they're sleeping, aren't they? I also have dreams... good dreams or even nightmares. But, this day I got a very unrealistic but real dreams...

If you read my previous article about my first day of ramadhan, I mentioned that I have a final project that everybody in our groups have trouble in interpreting the results. How come it's not a problem when we have pictures of networks and confuse what's this networks all about. Even we already met at that day and discussed, and something came up to lighter our thinking...but we still need more.

Then, I am the one who has responsibility in making the power point presentation for next Monday, which in Sunday night we have to send it through email to our teacher. It became a huge problem for me because I have to make sure everybody in our group understand the results and can present it well.

This day I have to think how to make a good presentation. But it came at that point where I was stuck. I couldn't think about anything that can resolved our problem. I asked several people, including my husband, but no answer. So, after Dhuhr prayer, I decided to take a nap.

It's not only because I was tired to do my assignments since morning, but I also felt hungry. hahaha Yes of course because I have to do fasting. And I wanted to forget about those hunger feeling, so.. that's why I took a nap for a while.

What makes me felt unreal is that when I awake... I remember I had dreams... about doing my power point presentation in the part where I felt difficulty the most. But, I couldn't remember what's that all about. I just remember I did that and put some circles in slides and make some notes.

So, I decided to try it out. After Ashr prayer, I sat down in front of my laptop and started to work.

And... it's done!!

I didn't know how to do it but I felt like more energize and more focus than ever!

I even forget my hunger... because I started being into my work.

Miraculously... I can finish the most difficult part in the presentation. Subhanallah...

It's the miracle of take a nap in Ramadhan. Alhamdulillah...

I knew it's kinda bizarre experience from some people... but it's real and it's happened to me. Maybe there are some scientific reason behind it, like for example...

I took a nap in the right time and moment, where I was sleepy, tired, and loose my focus. But at the same time I knew there's something need to be done but I didn't know how to do it. So, those feeling came across my deep mind without I realized, and straight to my brain when I was sleeping. It turns out to be a dream. But it can be a good dream or nightmares, right? Maybe I even can have nightmare about my assignments. Alhamdulillah that's not what happened... I believe Allah took a part in here where He gave me an insight about what I supposed to do after awake. Allah helped me with that... Alhamdulillah...

You know... I remember when I was learning about Sleep in Ramadhan through Productive Muslim Community. I kept thinking about how can I prove the theory where sleeping actualy can help people to be productive, especially in Ramadhan.

And now... I can prove it. ^__^

[Ramadhan Series] Day 1 : Hard Day for Working... but Worthed

Usually, The first day of Ramadhan, I already at home in Indonesia and lazy around. I usually have thought that "Oh this is Ramadhan, it's fasting day and I need to be lazy around first to make sure I can do fasting without complaining until the end of the month"

But, this Ramadhan, change my perspective, especially it came out in my First Day of Ramadhan this year (18/6/2015)

After sahoor and shubuh prayer, I usually fallen asleep until near Dhuhr prayer. I know it's not a good thing to do, but usually I have excuse to fall asleep because I'm awake in the middle of the night to eat. But, this time, I had to awake at 6 AM and get ready to work.

Yes, this year I'm starting to have my part-time job in Taipei (not in Hsinchu where I live), because I want to give another day for my lab time in campus (which is in Taipei). Usually I just go to school when I have class, but I realized it's not enough, because my life in campus is not only classes but also research and group meeting. So, when this part-time job opportunity arrived, I definitely said yes, so that I can have more reason to go to school after my job. But unfortunately, my job is starting at 9 AM and I have to go to Taipei from Hsinchu at around 6.30 AM.

I know it will be a rough day, because it's the first day of Ramadhan, and it's summer. Night before, I slept late, and awake at 2.30 AM, and slept again after shubuh around 4 AM until 6 AM. Get ready until 6.30 AM, and go to bus station around 6.45 AM. Sometimes, the bus will go around 7 AM and arrived in Taipei around 8 AM.

Because in Taipei I have to commute using public transportation like MRT, Bus, and YouBike, of course I have to walk and need some time to go to one place to another. At 8.30 AM I already arrived at work where the office is near a mosque and before I start my day I went there to pray dhuha.

Alhamdulillah...this day was not as hot as before. Maybe because of the first day of Ramadhan and every creation of Allah in this earth is praying and help Muslims to fasting easily.

I felt terribly exhausted in the office. I felt sleepy all the time, and rarely speaking to my co-worker. I was tired after walk and riding YouBike to office. I also can't focus with everything.

Then, I realized that I have work to do. I have to focus because it's a work that need good communication skill with people who has trouble. I have to not show my tiredness in front of them. At the same time, I have test and need study between my work time.

So, I just tried to focus on everything in front of my eyes and started to work. In my heart, I believe Allah will help me go through this day and something good will happen to me, because it's the month of Barakah, the month of Blessings on everything we ask for.

With Bismillahirrahmanirrahim... I started to work... and I can focus on everything! Alhamdulillah...

After Dhuhr prayer, I finished my work and go to school by bus, followed by YouBike again. Need almost 30 minutes to arrive at school from office. And it's 2 PM. Very hot at that time. The thought of drinking ice is making me crazy... -__-"

I had an appointment with a group study of one of my classes in the afternoon. There are several problems ahead and I couldn't solve it before. I asked my friends about problems in our term project, but they seemed didn't understand at all about how to do it. But, I believe Allah will help me. This is Ramadhan and barakah will always come to people who try hard and patient (Sabr), right?

It's unbelievable when we met at that afternoon, I could focus on my task. I could think clearly about what supposed to do and not. Even at that time, I almost fainted due to lack of sleep and tiredness. But I kept my head straight and do the job. I also couldn't believe in myself when I started to give explanations about what the projects really are to my friends, because the day before I couldn't think that way.

Subhanallah... Allah is beside me all the time...and this Ramadhan is truly Barakah for me.

Fasting is not an excuse for someone to be lazy around and not doing their work. It's a misunderstanding if related Ramadhan fasting with unproductive, but instead during Ramadhan people will be more productive than ever.

I already proven that theory, because in a day I finished my job, I studied for exams, I made presentations for projects, and I could think clearly and focus. 

Those experience in a day, make me realize that whatever happens... if Allah always be in our heart and we always seek His help, Allah will help us and give us His Blessings throughout the day.

My suggestion to you guys... don't be worry to loose your focus on your work or school activities, because Ramadhan is the month of Productivity and the month of Blessings from Allah... Trust Allah, The One who can make your life easier and help you on everything...

Jazakallahu Khairan Katsiran...

Wish we can get the most out of Ramadhan and always get Barakah from Allah...  

[BackToSchool Series] Daily Productive Pouch

Several days ago, I got my opportunity to go "shopping" again. It was not like another kind of shopping, because it's different. I went to my favorite stationary store in the city and try to look something fun to buy, but also useful for my daily activities. And actually this is tricky because sometimes I don't even know how much money I'm gonna spend at this shopping day. hahaha Maybe it's the same thing to another girls who like shop a lot to buy clothing, shoes, etc. But, in my case... stationary and books. It can be as worst as that type of shopping if I didn't go there with my husband. Because he'll telling me what kind of things that actually useful for me or just for my pleasure oriented. haha

So, I found this pouch in the store. Just like my another posts about pouch that you can read in this link, I like Unicite model of pouches and bags for travelling. This one can be used not only for travelling but also for daily life. Actually you can choose which color and size you like. There are 3 options for size which are A6, A5, and B5. The color options are Black, Green, Blue, and Pink. However in this case, I choose the pink one with B5 size and it's perfect for me (it's my husband's choice by the way) because it can help me put everything I have in one place, including papers. Let me show you what's inside.

There are several pockets inside that can be used as stationary's placement. For example you can see in that picture it can be used to store colorful pens, ruler, markers, washi tapes, notes, cards, stickers, keys, even your phone. 

It means a lot for people who travel a lot, not only for pleasure but also for work and school, and also have a high productivity life. This people including me, can use this as a companion to store everything we have in this pouch. So, we don't have to worry about where we gonna suppose to place pens and papers in different place. We just put them in one place and ready to go.

Another thing that important enough for me is that the size. You can differentiate between the normal pen pouch that kinda big and this pouch which have book size. Therefore, when I put it my bag, it will easy to get and not gonna stuck under things, like I used to deal with my pen pouch. 

The price? ok if you buy this in the store you have to spend around NT$ 360, but if you buy it online you can get less than that. I recommend you to buy in Yahoo Mall, because it's cheaper, if you live in Taiwan. But, if you live in other countries, I think you can also buy one of this but need to spend more due to delivery cost.

Hope this post help you. :)

My Productivity App in May

May is coming and spring is almost end to the start of summer. But, it doesn't make me lazy to do something, even outside world is waiting for me to explore the beauty... :p haha

So, in the first post of this month, May, I'm gonna tell you guys what kind of productivity apps I've been used and still gonna use these in this beautiful month.

INBOX

If you use Gmail for your e-mail service, I think you probably notice that these days (I'm not sure start when) Google try to give you notification in your Gmail window to try to use Inbox. Inbox is another Google product that allows emails to be bundled based on the purpose. So, for example, if I buy something online, sometimes the conformation will be sent to e-mail, then Inbox will bundle this email into one folder called Purchase. The same case for travelling, Inbox will bundle your itinerary in the Travel folder. Inbox also have a functionality that help people notice which email should be seen first using "pin" or remove the seen email using "done", even "snooze" the email to be read later, just like alarm.
This app is very useful for me now. Because it can bundled everything in my inbox and I can easily manage what kind of email which is important and not important. But, if you want to use this app, you have to be invited first by your friend. Actually I'm not sure about this because when I first use this app, I don't have to be invited by my friend, but when my husband wanna tried it, I had to invite him first in order for him to use the app.

FOCUS@WILL

Have you ever experience the feeling of desperate to focus on something? I think many people have this kind of experience. That's why people need something that can make them focus. Music is one of the solution. But, not "jedug jedug" music (if you know what I mean) hahaha I like to listen an instrumental music, specifically guitar. Yeah sometimes, I will listen to Sungha Jung in YouTube. But, if I use YouTube in my tab, I can't open another app to do my tasks. So, there is this app called Focus@Will that will provide you with kind of music do you like. Not only acoustic but also something like piano recital, mozart songs, etc.
It's proven (at least to me) that music can help someone to focus and do the job faster and become more productive. But, you have to pay if you want to use this app for more than 1 month. Instead, you can still try it using 30 days trial. After that? let's find another app. haha

POCKET

Pocket is an app that can help you store websites links, videos, pictures, etc when you want to read it later, offline. So, for example... I like to browse a lot, sometimes I will got into a moment when I can't read the article and want to store the link in one click. And of course, if it's possible, read it offline. Pocket provides this need for people like me who likes to store many information online and to be read offline later maybe at home. And also, this app can be installed in phone, tablet, and computer.


EVERNOTE

I like this app a lot!! Because this app can help me store many notes, todos, pictures, websites links, videos, etc then I can share those files to my friends.

Because this app is using cloud service, the synchronization between one device with another is fast and no need much storage to save all notes we have.

It's good to save many meeting notes, research ideas, summary of the paper, todos for project (i dn't like t put my personal todos in here), websites offline page (just like pocket but i prefer pocket more than evernote website clipper), recipes, travel pictures, etc.

WUNDERLIST

Another app that can help me store and keep on track of my todos is this app called Wunderlist. I can also put my dreams or my monthly accomplishment, books to read, movies to watch, groceries list, etc. Because, this app put lists on the folders. You can download it in your mobile phone, tablet,or computer. The todos also can have deadline and can be repeated for several days, months, or anytime you want. You can also share your folder of lists to your friends, it's good for project list, and also you can chat on each other.

That's all for My May's App and hope it can help you to find perfect productivity app for you. Remember, there are a lot of apps in the store, you can manage to try one but then realize it's not good at all for your productivity. My suggestion to you is try at least for a week and if it's not good, try another one. Maybe my apps for this month are not suitable for your needs, it's fine, just find another app that similar but based on your needs.

Jazakallahu Khairan Katsiran. ^^

Escape from Chaos

Laziness when problems came is a big mistake. This happened to me since last week when I was desperate on how to solve my problem and my stress. There are too much to think of and it turns out not really well. I've became too lazy to go out, do my homework, study for midterm, do household chores, etc. I just want to be at home and watching movies instead of doing the necessary things.

Without I realized, my homework are piled up. My room was a mess. My research progress was not going anywhere. I didn't study for midterm. Organization's works didn't touched yet.

When I realized those things happened, it's too late. Because the deadline is already in front of my nose. The results, I was trying to keep up with everything. Start to do my works. But, I couldn't do it because many things need to be done and my hands were trembling.

Last Wednesday, I had a appointment with my professor's assistant. So, I prepare the materials that I need before meet her. But, then when I came to school (this day is not the day I came to Taipei usually) after two days back and forth Taipei-Hsinchu, she forgot to meet me. At time, I felt like I wanna collapse due to exhausted.

Last Friday, I had routine lab meeting with several professors and my lab mates. We had to present our research progress about what we already accomplished in the month. So, the day before I made my ppt. I knew it's not really good enough but enough to be a research progress. But, my expectation is too high. My progress was declined.

Yesterday I had my midterm and my friend saw me like "are you ok? please just slow down..." He said something like that because when I started to use a computer in front of to do the midterm, my hands kept trembling and I always mumbling something like "what must i do? how can i do this? is this ok? is that ok? where's the file?" and he knew it's not me. Then, he asked another friend of us which in the same group with us to help me do things. The bad thing is no one knows what to do. Practically, we failed in the midterm which need teamwork.

And this week... I have many deadlines for many things. After I had my midterm and while I was waiting for the bus, I read a paper for tomorrow's class. But, couldn't focus. I couldn't think anything good about anything. My hand trembling. I was sad but couldn't cry. My body was extremely exhausted. I just don't know what to do.

Then... I heard a notification in my tab. My mom sent me a message. Suddenly, I called her and wanted to talk with her.

After listened to me, she said something like this...

"Allah has purpose for everything happened in your life. All we can do just do the best and pray. Make 1 hour between maghrib and isya' prayer to think about Allah. You can recite Qur'an or watch islamic study video in YouTube."

"Exhausted came, but just remember Allah with prayer, insha Allah everything will be okay"

Yes, I absolutely agree. I realized I forgot that Allah is with me. Allah has purpose and all I have to do is pray to him.

So, I closed my eyes and recite surah Al-Ikhlas several times and Istighfar. I made my brain not think about school work, household, problems, etc. I only focus on remembering Allah.

Then, my bus came and I recite Qur'an in the bus.

Slowly... my head became brighter. I can think about what I have to do first, the priority. I can think about some priorities of my works and write it down. I still had my headache but I still can think.

So, when I got home, I started to do my ToDo lists. I work on my homework, my research, study papers, and even my organization's work.

What I learn from this experience is...

When everything start out of control, close your eyes and remember Allah, then pray and recite Al-Qur'an. InshaAllah, you will find ease can start to make priorities of your work. 

No Time for Writing? Change The Schedule!!

These days I'm very very busy... it's the truth. In this week, after I went to Indonesia for a week, I have a lot of things to do. School stuff which is class assignments and research, Business things which I have several businesses on going now, and also Household tasks (our landlord wants to change the TV and internet cable and we have to hide all the cooking utensils and remove all pictures in the wall haha)

So, when I started to look at my planner, I realized I miss one thing in this week. Writing articles everyday in my blog. 

It seems like I don't have any more time to write because I can't think of any idea that can be a topic of my writing time. In this point, I have to make a decision between write or not write. If I choose to write, I will continue to do it days ahead. But if I choose not to write, I will delay it more.

Of course I decided to write. But, what are the things that make me "not" want to write? 

• Lazy
• No idea for topic
• Takes time

Therefore, it's time to make a change in my daily scheduling. I have to make a schedule that can change my entire activities in the day. So, I can maximize my life. What I've learnt is that "Someone who think 24 hours is not enough, is someone who loss" That's why I don't want to be someone who loss my entire life.

Sometimes I woke up around 9 AM (it's crazy right?) because I went to sleep around 12 AM. It makes me unproductive during the day. Makes me lazy to do my work done and resulted in undone tasks in the end of the day. Therefore, I want to try to not sleep after shubuh prayer. I've ever tried this and resulted in all my tasks done in 4 hours. Makes me wonder... what did I do all this time? Doing unproductive manner and be a loss one. =.="

Another thing is that scheduling my day. After shubuh prayer, I will write down my tasks for the day in my planner referring to the yesterday's tasks. Therefore, I can see which assignments need to be done first and after it finish, I can move to another task. Priority is the key.

Of course I will put my writing time in my schedule. So, I will not going to skip it. No excuse to skip it. haha Writing time include the time for think about topic and resources I want to use in the article of the day. But sometimes, I don't need this time because ideas come across when I'm in front of my lovely laptop. Just like this article.

Research and assignments for school are number two tasks in the morning after writing. Because it needs more focus and time to do everything. A lot of papers to be read and a lot of time to write my journal paper. That's why this is my first priority in the scheduling plan.

The third task is business tasks. I have several businesses and tried to separate the time based on the priority. Time for this things sometimes in the afternoon until night.

How about household task? I can do that in the middle of my work. Strange? Nope. Because I can do multitasking. Let's go for an example. When I want to read journal paper, I can start to do my laundry first and while waiting for the laundry done, I can read the paper. See? One task doesn't have to be waited until done then go to another task. But we can do it using our multitasking skill.

I hope I can do this schedule changing for this day ahead. I want to be productive again. I don't want to be a lazy woman and not doing my job properly. 

These info-graphics help me a lot in being productive. Hope it can help you too for being productive. ^.^

DIY Bow Clip for Planner or Book Lover

When I'm Indonesia, I always try to find something to be a bookmark when I still not yet finished my book. Like pen, papers, even my hair band. Sometimes I will fold the corner of the last page I read. But it resulted in the bend pages and I don't like it..a lot. So when I came to Taiwan, I found a lot of bookmark made from plastic or magnet. Most of them are so cute.

But, when I tried it I realize it can't hold several pages all at once for my planner. It's good for book but not good enough to hold several pages on my planner.

So, I'm trying to find another solutions for my need, which are have to be cute, fun, personalized size and pattern, and cheap.

Then, I found this channel in YouTube that show me how to make DIY bow clip or more than that.

You can definitely follow her guidance to make cute bow clip for your planner or book. But, if you have low internet connection, just follow my pictures below. These guidance made by me basically the same with Alexis mentioned in her video. But the difference is that you don't have to print the bow guidance from her blog.

1. Prepare the equipment needed

Several equipment needed are paper clips ( I prefer to use big one so can hold several pages all at once), papers with pattern (use papers that thick enough), glue, scissor, and stickers.

2. Cut the paper into rectangle shape with width and height based on your needs

3. Fold the two ends of the paper into the same size.

4. Fold again but reserve a little bit of it, not all into the same size like before

5. Open the folded paper from the step 4 and cut like the picture below in the 2 border of folded area, in the middle and edge

6. Cut also the edge side of the paper like a bow

7. Open the folded  paper and use scissor to make it bend like pictures below

8. Fold the edge right and left of the paper outside

9. Take one paper clip ( i use gold one because it's perfectly cute) and insert one edge of the paper to clip like picture below

10. Put your finger in the middle of the bow and clip, then push it. Don't forget to give glue in the border of paper and clip. Better to use gun glue, if you have one.

11. To make it cuter, put a cute sticker in the middle of your bow.

Your bow clip, is ready to be used in your planner or as book mark. These pictures below are the example of other clip using big stickers or other thing that you can find easily.

If you want to use the one like Alexis have you have download it from her blog http://www.strangecharmed.com/diy/diy-bow-clips-for-your-planner-more/

Wish you have a good time in making your own bow clip!! ^_^

Being Innovators not Inventors ... Nothing wrong with that!

I got the idea to talk about innovations in the business when I went to one of my classes last Tuesday. But I still didn't get that much about what I wanna say. But then today, after I saw one of my subscribed YouTube channel which is Alexa ak Miss Trenchcoat ... I'm ready to make one post about this.

An ’invention’ is an idea, a sketch or model for a new or improved device product process or system new or improved device, product, process or system. It has not yet entered to economic system, and most inventions never do so inventions never do so.

An ’innovation’ is accomplished only with the first commercial transaction involving the new product, process, system or device. It is part of the economic system.

To make it simple... Inventor is someone like Albert Einstein who invent new theories. But those theories not yet entered a business. Those theories entered a business when someone called The Innovator take those theories and make the first commercial of it, for example a spacecraft.

But, there are some people think that some innovators are copycat. Because maybe they become successful to put some value in other's idea or product and sell it. But in my opinion, copycat is someone who copy All of the inventor's had and sell it without permission. 

Innovator is someone who can add "value" that no other person can do. So that value can increase the benefit of the product/service itself or the revenue of company.

Innovations are needed in this days. For example in the mobile area like Apple and Google. Apple is the inventor of smart phone, right? But then Google came up with innovation that Apple didn't do such as open source and cheaper than Apple.

For people like us, who want to make a business but don't know what can be sold, learn from innovator is a must. Learn how to make a new innovation that can add value in the product or service.

As an example, just like Alexa said in her channel... she had question like this....

"Do I have to make a video in YouTube that other people already done?"

The answer is "Absolutely Yes!!"

But why? Why I have to do something that other people already done?

Let just think about this for a moment as an example...

You know a Lipstick. There are sooo many brands that sell the same red color lipstick. But people still buy it, right? It's because the customers are attached with a specific lipstick brand. It's all about branding and what can you do as the owner of the brand to make customers attached to you. That's what value is all about.

Maybe one brand put the value of "sexiness" and maybe other brand put the value of "eco-make up" . All of those brands have their own customers. It's all about personality of the customers that attached with the personality of brand itself.

It's the same with someone who want to make a blog post about planner ideas. There are a loott of people maybe thousands who wrote about planner ideas. But every blog post have differentiation of course, based on the person who write that post. Even it has the same idea, but if the person who write that post is different, then the results might be different. Every blog also have its own readers, right? So, why worry so much about being an "innovator" ? Just be one!

And if you are the one who want to make a business.. learn from other success people who start from being an innovator. Nothing wrong with innovator. Because if you are the inventor but can't keep innovate, you'll be out of business. And if you just keep saying "product like this already exist", stop that thought! You can add value to your product/service so that your market can see you and be your loyal customers. 

When Creativity and/or Spare Time Come

Several days ago... at night... my head kept struck with something fun. Yes, my creativity comes! Even at that time, I have something else need to be done (e.g. my research) but I couldn't resist it. haha So, I'm starting to look for something I wanna do. From several blogs that I followed and YouTube channels that I subscribed. Most of them are all about planners ideas, being productive, and creative over the limit. Then, I got an idea to transform my family travel diary to something fun, which is scrapbook.

I've ever had scrapbook before but just for myself and not really good because I just put all of the "not important" stuffs inside. haha And this time I wanted to do something more so that me and my husband can look again in the future with smile on it.

So..the next morning I prepare myself to go shopping... haha Just like another shopping day, not in groceries store but in Guangnan Store (the name of the store) or Toko Kuning (my Indonesian friends called it because the walls are painted with yellow color) or Stationary store (not ordinary because you can find all things you need except groceries). My husband will worry so much when we go there because it took me a long time after I finished and mostly need some amount of money. haha

I like to go there, not like to groceries store, because I can find many cute things that I can't find in Indonesia. Some of them like cute planners, washy tapes, pens, stickers, etc. And the most incredible things are no other place in Taiwan that can compete the price. It's so cheap. Even cheaper than the price labeled in the product's case originated from the vendor. I don't know how they did that. 

After listed several things I need, I went from row to row and find my stuffs. Unfortunately, before I can buy everything I need my husband called me and we need to hurry because our friend wait for us to have a dinner near the Guangnan store.

When we're at home, I was really happy because I can do something with my creativity in my head. I bought a scrapbook and ready to be creative, The results are....

 

Need more exercise to make those more beautiful and worth to see. hahaha After two days finally I can see this scrapbook become one. Even..not as beautiful as I saw in other blogs or YouTube.

But, the most important thing is that How can we manage to save every moments in life with percious one.... :)