I Have a Love Affair With Google Docs, & I’m Not Afraid to Admit It
“Am I a Google Docs power user?”
This thought spawned a miniature identity crisis when it first occurred to me. On one hand, yeah, I pretty much am. I spend a LOT of my time with at least one Google Doc laid out in front of me. Most days, I’m many tabs deep.
But on the other hand, I cringe at using the phrase “power user”. The main reason I lean so hard on Google Docs in the first place is because I hate feeling overly weighed down by the tools I’m using. It’s insanely simple, and that’s why I like it so much.
Either way, I admit it. I have a love affair with Docs. ❤️
And I’m here to share my love – er, useful tips – with you!
Tip #1: Working Agendas
One of my favorite uses for Google Docs is creating working agendas. I always keep meeting notes for client projects, and I always use a Doc for this.
I create just one document as an ongoing reference page. Using the satisfying checkbox function, I turn my notes about what needs to get done next into actionable to-dos. When sitting down to complete next steps, I can easily see those to-dos and any other pertinent notes all in one place.
Going chronologically down the page helps me refer back to what happened last time, so subsequent meetings stay on track and we keep the project moving forward.
For some projects, I share this agenda Doc with the client so we can both add notes and check off to-dos collaboratively. There’s little room for confusion or tasks that get lost in the shuffle when we’re both literally on the same page!
Here’s an example of what my working agendas typically look like.
Tip #2: Brain Dumps
You know I love a good brain dump!
One of the most productive ways I use Google Docs is by simply opening up a blank document whenever I start to feel random stuff swirling around in my brain. It doesn’t matter what it is, I just start plopping those thoughts straight into a Doc.
If you do any type of creative work (or want to start), I highly recommend this! I’ve found it to be useful for:
Clearing distracting thoughts out so I can better focus on the task at hand
Brainstorming the details of new projects or ideas
Random journaling
Jotting down the initial seeds for ideas I’ll develop further later on
Challenging myself to do some creativity-boosting writing in the style of Morning Pages
& so much more!
Tip #3: Convenient, Fully Remote Co-Creation
I love co-creating together with my clients. Two is greater than one!
However, time and space often make it hard. We all have busy schedules and we all want that remote freedom! And so, introducing my number one co-creation tool: comments.
At this point, the real time comment features inside Google Docs and other cloud-based software have been around for a long time. It’s no secret that you can use comments to communicate and co-create a work in progress.
But allow me to just add my voice into the pile of others who are saying, “UTILIZE THOSE COMMENTS! Tag them! Send that notification! Reply to the thread! Keep the comments alive!”
(I’m not actually sure if others are saying that, to be honest. But I definitely am!)
Seriously, it’s the simple inventions like comment features and ketchup in a squeeze bottle that really do save us our sanity. Don’t sleep on the comments!
Tip #4: Link Aggregation
I keep a bookmarked Doc that’s literally just for links. Whenever I come across something online I want to save for later use, reference, relaxed reading, sharing, etc., I drop it right in.
Simple, easy, and SO helpful. Sign me up.
Tip #5: You Do You, Boo
The best thing about Google Docs? It’s a literal blank page.
It’s basically idiot-proof. The extra features, automations, and plugins are there for you, but tucked neatly out of the way. You can do with it whatever you wish.
It’s the elegance of a typewriter, and the ease of the cloud.
It’s a timeless classic. It’s Chanel No. 5.
It’s Google Docs.
(Now, how do I get Google to pay me for writing this? 😉)