I recently stumbled upon a new web app that has completely changed my workflow and how I get things done. Usually I’m not into web applications too much, but what I have to show you now is just an amazingly efficient productivity tool that you need to check out.
What I am going to show you is a todo list app. Now I know that it sounds lame, but hear me out! Some of the most popular todo applications are often bloated with dozens of features, and navigating through them all just to do a simple task like planning out your day becomes frustratingly difficult. Then we have Teux Deux (to-do).
What’s so special about Teux Deux?
Besides the odd name, Teux Deux to me is a very special todo manager. I have been through countless organizers, calendars and other todo mangers, but this by far has worked the best for me so far.
The thing that I think is so special about this todo manager in particular is its simplicity. With Teux Deux, you have the ability to plan out your whole week, but the way that you can do it is unique I think.
This is the simple interface of your list after you have signed up for a free account.
As you can see, it looks pretty simple. It’s a column based app, which I think is pretty unique for a todo list manager. Under each day, there is a text box where you simply type the task you want to do for that day, hit enter, and it adds it to your list.
With such an easy to use interface, and how organized it actually is, you really want to think twice before you call it “just another pointless todo list application.”
You can check out a better presentation of their features through the video they made. It is very well presented, and quite convincing. View the video on their website.
Tips for making the best of Teux Deux
I have been using this for almost a week now, and I have really been getting things done. Here are my best tips for using this web app.
- Set your todo list as your browsers homepage. The one thing that I have always disliked about putting my schedule online is that they are never “in your face” enough. Now every time I open my browser, I see the list of things I need to accomplish that day, and my tasks for the day will be better stuck in my head.
- If you don’t complete a task one day, don’t worry about losing it. Any tasks you don’t complete on the day you assigned, it will be moved to the next day automatically.
- There is a featured called “Someday” which will allow you to create tasks where you can place in a box farther down the page. Anything you create in the “Someday” section will sit there until you move them into your schedule. It’s a great feature to use for things you want to do, but don’t know when you will get around to it.
The Importance of a Blogging Schedule
I have always supported the idea of creating a blogging schedule. I would be lost without having something to guide me on the tasks for the day. Sure, schedules can sometimes get too controlling, and maybe add pressure onto you to get everything listed done. But, I think if you really love what you do, this won’t happen too often.
I have even said that creating a schedule is one of the best ways to become a more effective and efficient blogger. If you read that post and setup a daily schedule for yourself, how do you think that has improved your workflow as a blogger?
Keeping up with your schedule
The other problem I see a lot with creating schedules is how we follow through with it. Sure, at first we are excited to have a schedule for ourselves. But over time we tend to stray away from it thinking we have a lot of our routine memorized.
I think that a problem with many ways we keep up with a schedule is how we manage it. Whether or not we write it out on sticky notes, or use an application with a complex interface, we just get tired of managing it constantly. That’s what I think the people at Teux Deux were thinking of when they created it: create a simple interface that is easily manageable. They definitely did that.
Here are some articles that cover productivity on Blogussion. You may be interested in some of the things we have to say, as we are always looking to improve how we work.
How to Create A Schedule You Will Actually Stick With
Setting a schedule for your work is important to keep yourself productive when working, but they can be hard to follow. In this very comprehensive article, tips are shared to help you follow your schedule better and more efficiently.
A Quick 4 Step Plan for Beating “Bloggers Crash”
Sometimes when there is a problem we are going through, it follows us to work and prevents us from working at maximum efficiency. I call this “bloggers crash,” and in this article — I go through a four step process of getting through it.
How to Refresh your blogging process in 4 simple steps
Everyone needs a refresher sometimes. You can have a set blogging routine for the longest of time, but sometimes you need to reflect and switch things up a little bit to improve your workflow.
Preparing Yourself For Blogging: Offline & Online Strategies part 1
Blogging can become a tedious task to many of us after a long time doing it. Doing the same things over and over again like writing, marketing, commenting, etc. can wear us out. We need to “go to work” happy and proud, and in this article I go over ways to prepare yourself for blogging through some offline activities.
Preparing Yourself For Blogging: Offline & Online Strategies part 2
This is part two to the post above, and the idea is the same: to get yourself happy and excited to go to work. This time, methods of getting ready through online activities like playing brain games and working off of a todo list are all mentioned, as well as others.
Staying productive on your blog, and the challenges you may face
In this rather deep article, I talk about what it really means to be productive. Is productivity about how we manage our time? Or is it about the things we produce from our work? That, and some other interesting points are gone over in this article.
Teux Deux? Productivity? What do you think?
Many of you are against todo lists I’m sure. The first person I showed Teux Deux to told me that todo lists are not for them. But I really hope that you at least sign up for a free account and give it a shot. Take my tip seriously, set it as your homepage. Try it for one day, I think you will like it.
39 Discussions
Cool Alex, looks nice. A to-do list is a great thing for bloggers; it keeps us from getting distracted and allows us to complete our goals. It is great to have a simple, yet flexible one online.
Jake | Web Journey´s last blog ..30 Things to do After Publishing a Post
Yes Jake. It is great to have a simple yet flexible tool online.
Personally, I really love to go to a site that is simple, clean and make full use of white are. It makes me feel comfortable and the site content will be easy to digest.
Cheers!
It’s always good to have a schedule and a to do list because without these two I think you will be lost in between your activities and thus tire you out.
Great article, Alex
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Shirley´s last blog ..Review: Ramped-Blogging – The Ultimate Guide To Blogging By Robb Sutton
Exactly, everyone needs a guide sometimes! I know I do, there’s so much going on right now.
Alex´s last blog ..The Unstrapp’d List of 30 Young Entrepreneurs of 2009
Yes having a guide is a step to success, one of the reasons why people fail to achieve their goals is that they do not have a plan or guide…
Link Exchange Forum´s last blog ..Which back link are more valuable for SEO?
Nice app.. having a simple to use to do app makes the process of scheduling much less a hastle and will make me want to keep it updated.
Very Nice.
John Paul Aguiar´s last blog ..Blogging for Money Then Stop Stealing Your Own Sales
The thing I love the most is how easy it is to manage. I used a program called Things for the Mac, and it’s very feature heavy and a pain in the ass to manage. Teux Deux is just so simple and it just works with me.
Did you try it?
Alex´s last blog ..The Unstrapp’d List of 30 Young Entrepreneurs of 2009
Thanks for sharing your find Alex. A to do list surely prevents a blogging burn out. I will be sure to check out the links you provided.
Kwame Boame´s last blog ..Google Brings “Olympics” To Webmasters; Are You On Your Mark?
I have been using todo lists on and off, and I have been feeling more productive than I have ever felt before because of this one.
Alex´s last blog ..The Unstrapp’d List of 30 Young Entrepreneurs of 2009
Wow, Its one cool app. I’m just going to sign up once I’m finished writing this comment.
Cool review, this is really gonna come handy. Just its name is quite hard, hehe !
Enk.´s last blog ..How to Show Post Excerpts on Category Page?
So did you like it Enk? What do you think of it?
The name is pretty odd, but I think it’s pretty cool.
Alex´s last blog ..The Unstrapp’d List of 30 Young Entrepreneurs of 2009
Wow this is simplified perfectivity! (I’m totally copyrighting that word if someone hasn’t already)
Lately I’ve been using iCal on my macbook to put down tasks to do for the day but I’m finding that things always pop up and I don’t follow things 100% to the time I allocate. A simple to do list like this is great. Will try this out now.
Thanks for sharing and letting us all know!
Sarge | BeginnerBlogger.com
Sarge | BeginnerBlogger.com´s last blog ..Christmas Prize Winner is….
I used to use iCal, but I always had a lot of things to do and they were all cluttered up in those tiny cubicles…made it impossible to see what I was trying to do without opening each one up.
Alex´s last blog ..The Unstrapp’d List of 30 Young Entrepreneurs of 2009
Beginner blogger tweets again. That looks pretty handy, the software I’ve been using is different though. The action machine and bubbl.us. Two great softwares for productivity. The first was metnioned in my last blog post too. So it will append to this comment, wonderful.
Mark´s last blog ..Excellent Goal Setting Software
I’ll have to check those other two out, but I’m so in love with Teux Deux that I don’t know if I could leave it haha.
Alex´s last blog ..The Unstrapp’d List of 30 Young Entrepreneurs of 2009
This is a great way to help keep me organized. I signed up a couple days ago, and I’m going to be configuring my account tonight.
Let me know what you think of it man, I guarantee you’ll love it.
Alex´s last blog ..The Unstrapp’d List of 30 Young Entrepreneurs of 2009
I think it is have become a trend which tool that usually we install into our computer is being developed so that it is available online. I’m sure that Google is the one who plays big influence toward this trend.
Generally, I find this tool definitely handy for bloggers. However, tools without discipline will not bring us any benefits. It is because sometimes we use and install a lot of tools for ourselves but in the end, it is just a tool. We fail to make full use of it and fail to be firm with ourselves while using all those tools.
What do you think?
I agree, web apps are becoming increasingly popular. It seems like Twitter was based off of an instant messaging service almost like MSN or AIM don’t you think? The web is eliminating the need for a lot of computer software out there, that’s for sure.
What do you mean by “tools without discipline?” I think you are right that we do like to have a lot of tools, and a lot go to waste by us not using them. Look forward to your response, you seem to be on to something!
Alex´s last blog ..The Unstrapp’d List of 30 Young Entrepreneurs of 2009
Hi Alex,
Yah I agree with you. Twitter is starting replacing all those service as more people start to focus more on Twitter to network. Other services that come into my mind are Google Wave and the latest one is Meebo Bar which just been open for public usage which I just installed for my site – Huzzer Magazine.
Meebo initially only focus is to bring all major IM services online and they succeed.
Check the Meebo Bar out. It looks cool and can definitely help us a lot.
Actually what I’m trying to say is most of us use those tools without discipline. So to cut thing short, I made the term “tools without dicipline”
Cheers!
I used to use meebo a lot actually, but the only real IM client I use anymore is MSN messenger. I use the desktop client “Adium,” which allows you to use multiple services just like Meebo. I don’t know what it is, I just never trusted browser based apps for my IM conversations. I like to keep the two things separate, it’s just a personal preference I guess!
Yeah, I have never heard of “tools without discipline” before, that’s a pretty cool line!
Alex´s last blog ..The Unstrapp’d List of 30 Young Entrepreneurs of 2009
I’m trying it!
I have to say, once again, you’ve really impressed me Alex! When I first came to this article, I thought, “Man, another article stuffed with affiliate links.” But it wasn’t and I’m happy to know that you are sharing this because you genuinely think it will help your community of bloggers. Thanks!
Nick Tart | JuniorBiz´s last blog ..Don’t Buy a Book Without Finding Where It’s Cheapest
Aww Nick, I thought you have been around here long enough to know that’s not our style! Only joking man, I know that promoting any kind of service or tool online nowadays is seen as a spammy money making scheme. It was one of my concerns before writing this post, but I am really relieved now as a lot of people seem to like it!
Alex´s last blog ..The Unstrapp’d List of 30 Young Entrepreneurs of 2009
I know, I know. I’ve learned my lesson.
By the way, I’ve been using TeuxDeux and it is working awesome! In fact, I convinced one of my friends to start using it too.
Nick Tart | JuniorBiz´s last blog ..Don’t Buy a Book Without Finding Where It’s Cheapest
Alex, I think this is just what I’ve been looking for. I love to-do lists, but tend to overwhelm myself with lists that are too long for the day. Checking out Teux Deux is now on my To Do list for tomorrow! ;>)
Thanks!
Cheryl´s last blog ..The Eliots of Damerosehay
You’re going to love it Cheryl! Let me know what you think of it.
Yes, you are right! It is important for a blogger to have a to do schedule. I will try to use this tool for my future plan. Thanks for sharing!
Kok Siong Chen´s last blog ..End of 2009 in Cytogenetics and Cancer Research Blog
Definitely, you won’t go wrong choosing this as your todo manager. If you do use it, let me know what you think!
Talk about making sure bloggers stay on task with their overall goals. Because in order to accomplish those overall goals you need to complete many different tasks everyday.
This will allow me to know what I still need to get done (better than using iCal and post-it stickies on my dashboard) much easier. Additionally, being a student, blogger, and heavily involved in other extracurricular activities this will help me make sure I get what needs to get done.
Thanks for the tips, Alex.
Best Regards,
Derek
Derek Jensen´s last blog ..Why UtterMag is Different, Part 2
Alex, this is awesome. I’ve been looking for a new organizer lately because I’ve grown tired of using Google calendar. Integrated into the browser makes it even better because I don’t have to actually make an effort to look at my schedule really.
Regarding your comment on a blogging schedule, to be honest, I’ve been struggling with it always and I think a program like this can certainly keep me on task. Sweet program. Again, thanks for the introduction!
Static | ahnternet´s last blog ..2010 Goals For BloggersBB
I think its very important to have a blogging schedule. If your are a full-time blogger, then you definitely need a plan and be prepared in order to be productive.
Thanks for the post!
For Bloggers Who want to Stop Writers’ Block
Nice looking app, I am still of the old school thought that I write my to do list on paper next to my keyboard. I start a new list daily and transfer incomplete projects to the top of new list. I am traveling this week, but will check out the web app next week.
Keith´s last blog ..Do you Use Disqus Or Other Comment Sign In App?
Another really cool and fun article at Blogussion, nice work guys!
Blogger Den´s last blog ..The SEO Value of Squidoo | Running Online Business
Excellent find Alex, thanks. Just be very careful not to fill the “someday” section.
Great find thank you very much! It is nice to see in this more complicated by the day world something new that embraces the K.I.S.S mentality. I am now on my way to being more likeable, funnier & more attractive, thanks again.
Thank you for sharing! I just signed up to it and I seriously love it. I’ve been using a notebook to schedule every day, but this makes planning so much more efficient and cleaner. Plus, I can schedule for the week and further down the road.
Mike Crimmins´s last blog ..Top Daily Shot Of Coffee Commentors of 2009
Pretty nice app, very simple and so far effective! I wish they had a full calendar view & an option to set recurring to do’s.
Vasopro´s last blog ..How Is Ephedra Linked To Herbal Ecstasy?
Your article convinced me to give Teux Deux a whirl. Like you, I also use Things, but not enough. I keep a very simple to-do pad on my desk and write things down, but that’s only good for when I’m at my desk. So I’m giving Teux Deux a chance to change that.
Thanks!
Shane´s last blog ..Apple Will Kill Adobe Flash
Thanks for the heads up, I really like the look of this app. Might give it a go