3 Workflows for Personal Productivity in ClickUp (+ What I'm Changing in 2021)

Every month, we have a theme for the content we release inside ClickingUp (and, in part, on KZbin).
This month -- based on some requests from ClickingUp members -- we're going to be talking about personal productivity in ClickUp. Or -- to put it in less jargon-y terms -- "What's the next best thing I should #focus on?"
To kick things off on the virtual whiteboard this month, I'm going to be going live to break down my 2020 workflow for determining my focus. Like we do with every workflow, I'll then identify the gaps and problems in this workflow before I explain the modified workflow I'm trying in 2021.
While this isn't the type of business processes we typically think of when we're talking about "systemizing your business" it's probably one of the most important #workflows for any individual -- whether you're an entrepreneur or employee!
Finally, we'll wrap up with a brief discussion of what I'd need to do to translate this workflow into a #ClickUp template/structure...but we'll save the deep-dive on that conversation for a later conversation inside ClickingUp Community (processdriven.co/#services) when we release our next monthly template.
(This video isn't specifically focused on personal USE (aka organizing your personal life) -- more so personal FOCUS -- but if you'd like to see more videos on that side of things just let me know!)
Here's what we talked about:
00:00 I'm a hot mess.
2:00 Order of Operations
3:00 What is productivity, really?
5:31 Productivity Workflows in ClickUp
6:51 Method #1
13:41 Method #2
30:31 Method #3
53:37 How anyone could start doing this
1:04:00 How Admins can start applying this via ClickUp Templates

[@LaylaPomper]

How do YOU focus on what to do next? Looking to take control of your business, but tired of wingin' it by yourself? Join my (free) Facebook Group to find like-minded peers. processdriven.co/group

[@achimdrager5937]

it would be nice if the entry requests for the fb group would also be answered.

[@kathydarcher]

I love the way your brain works Layla! I also love your honesty and authenticity. So refreshing!

[@LaylaPomper]

Thanks Kathy! 🥰

[@dreamleavesplantstudio8907]

I love and appreciate that you went through what wasn't working for you - your first flow chart is VERY familiar to me, and the issues I face with productivity are exacerbated further by my raging case of ADHD. It's really, really frustrating. Thank you for making this video, I think it will help :)

[@LaylaPomper]

I'm so glad to hear that this may have helped you! I'd love to hear what workflow you end up finding that works best for you?

[@rjsiii3]

This is really a fantasies video. Not only did the content hit a lot of chords, the "am I live streaming alone" feeling came across. It just proved how worthwhile it was for you to block the time to do this steam, and how it helped your channel grow. Keep up the great work and thanks for the inspiration.

[@LaylaPomper]

Hey! Just getting caught up on comments🙈 I'm so glad this was helpful!

[@martinmichaelsen1587]

This video is fantastic, had to watch it like 3 times, amazing work Layla!

[@LaylaPomper]

Thanks so much, Martin! I appreciate your support! 😄

[@BryanTrumble]

WOW! I got so much more out of this than I thought I would, tons of info and loved the conceptual mapping!!!

[@LaylaPomper]

Hey Bryan! Just getting caught up with comments🙈 I'm so glad this was helpful!

[@GordonJohansen]

Focusing on the best use of your time in the moment is an interesting definition of productivity. I think it works well with the caveat that it does not mean just doing what is next on your ToDo list. Very often, working on the business is better than working in the business. In effect, it is what we are doing when we are watching your videos. Spending time now, to put a better system or structure in place which will provide for more efficiencies in the future

[@LaylaPomper]

Ah yes! Impulse shouldn’t determine “best” - your brain should. Great point!

[@MrChurchMarketer]

LOVE this video! Is there an updated video on how you are doing your workflow as the owner at the end of 2021? Would love to see how things have progressed.

[@LaylaPomper]

Hey Roc! Just a delayed "YES!" for you here. :) Here's the one from last year: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6ukp6Gqpd2hsNk Plus, I'll have a "Day in the life" video showing my 2022/2023 workflow hitting the channel in about 1 week. 🎉

[@annenapolitano2465]

This was great! Pretty much what you and I spoke about on our call. I am too reactive in my business. Need to clean up ClickUp and refocus on planning.

[@LaylaPomper]

This makes me so happy to read. You got this! Can't wait to catch up with you after this crazy season is passed to see how you're doing. :)

[@rachaelamberart]

THANK YOU this was so helpful... I have been trying & experimenting with workflows and this helps with perspective. Plus I now realize how I can use the mindmap view... :")

[@LaylaPomper]

I’m so glad to hear this helped you Rachael! ☺️

[@clairemcglinchey6935]

the 2019 "daily action" part!!!!! I feel so seen and excited to see what the rest of the video holds because I've been in some version of that cycle for....... a really long time

[@LaylaPomper]

Hey Claire! I'm so glad you feel seen -- you're not alone! I hope this was helpful💙

[@heymrcody]

Very helpful video! Clean up and goal setting would be a great next topic!

[@LaylaPomper]

Coming soon! 🙃

[@ashishjain871]

Loved the video. Thank you :).

[@LaylaPomper]

So happy this was helpful to you! 😀

[@frananderson1097]

Thanks Layla - SO MUCH ! Watched this today 14th Feb 2021 - I found it both useful and inspiring. Fran

[@LaylaPomper]

Aw, thanks Fran! I'm so glad it was helpful and appreciate you commenting! 😀

[@GordonJohansen]

Finally got some time to finish this. Imagine my suprise when you commented on my comment about how easy it is to show appreciation for the video by just "liking" it if you learned anything from it. I did some checking and it appears that a youtube view is anything longer than 30 seconds even if it is a repeat view by the same person. I suppose this might account for your high view/like ratio. There is so much content in the videos that I'll be you get a lot of repeat views. None of these would show "likes" after the first viewing of course. For a new viewer, I imagine that it takes more than 30 seconds to figure out what the video is actually about or if you should bother watching it. If they decide, it's not appropriate, I would guess that they will leave without commenting. Three to five minutes of viewing would probably be a more accurate way to count views. This was literally mind bending as I was trying to evaluate the processes you had gone through and compared them to what I was either doing or not doing. A facinating trip into another persons thought processes and very useful. Thank you.

[@LaylaPomper]

😀 Yes indeed! A "View" is a really strange measure of interest, if you ask me. On the back end, I consider "Hrs of watch tIme" and "# Comments" as the measure we really care about as indications of value received vs Views or Subscribes. :) I'm glad that this video was helpful! It was certainly a bit mind bending to produce as well. 😅

[@fififinance7469]

watching this instead of just starting my evening.

[@LaylaPomper]

Hope it was helpful! ☺️

[@JasonTRogers]

This was super helpful. Thank you

[@LaylaPomper]

Happy to help!

[@pamelashoberg7982]

Thank you.

[@LaylaPomper]

Hey Pamela! I'm so happy to help!

[@schendelelizabeth2]

Would like the ClickUp clean up guide! I'm still figuring out the best way to us it for me

[@LaylaPomper]

Thanks for letting me know! I hope to bring this to life soon for ClickingUp and may also open it up for sale to the public! How's it going for you so far? Is there anything in particular that's confusing you as you try to find the best way for you? :)

[@schendelelizabeth2]

@@LaylaPomper I'm still in your 2019, task & due date🤦‍♀️. So this was actually very helpful to see your progression to learn from. I don't have a process map yet and hadn't even thought about making one but now I will be!

[@BarkParkFL]

Just watched today. Sun 1/10 but now I have 6 more videos to watch that you mentioned here. 😁😳 Just getting started and fumbling my way through ClickUp but took 6 pages of notes on this! I'm trying to start a business and get out of my 9-5. Definitely related to this content and now getting a better INTENTIONAL plan in place! Thanks for all your info. Not sure if you already have this but I found you by accident and jumped in without starting with the basics, so it would be great if you had a start here and watch these videos in this order type playlist for newbies.

[@LaylaPomper]

Hey Amy! Welcome to ClickUp land! As for your question, I got your back - click on my name to go the channel and there is a “START HERE” Playlist you can use! 👍 Also, if you want any extra help, there’s always our community which provides a way more actionable course framework with support from me and my team along the way ☺️

[@infoonukraine2942]

This video is illegally awesome :) thanks Layla

[@LaylaPomper]

Thank you! ☺️

[@swirlytwirlz00]

Watching this in 2023!

[@LaylaPomper]

Bookmark and save! ☺️

[@makedeimpossiblehappenii8157]

Cool!

[@LaylaPomper]

Glad you found this helpful - thanks for commenting! 🙏

[@teotinivelli]

Layla awesome work! Let me ask you which feature in clickup do you use to create those chart-flows?

[@LaylaPomper]

Trick question, eh? 😉 This is using a separate tool, Whimsical.

[@teotinivelli]

@@LaylaPomper Thanks Layla, really appreciate it!

[@joshuajduggan]

@@LaylaPomper Just spent a good 20 minutes searching around, trying to find out what tool this is. I came back to this video looking for it, as I am now process mapping, and it stuck out in my head from watching last year. Scanning through first the video, and then the transcript, but needing to review the actual topic, I still couldn't find it and got frustrated. Then I went to your website and looked at the tools section. Not there. Then I took a break and finally started scanning through the comments and voila. Wish it could be added to the description (not sure how long KZbin lets you edit those, though?), since it's a major focus of the video, even if it's not the subject. :) Thanks for all the great content. Keep up the good work. Though I've adopted AirTable, your videos really helped me work through a lot of topics for my business, and I continue to reference them for ideas and point others this way.

[@justinhall7022]

Awesome 😎👍

[@LaylaPomper]

Appreciate you, Justin!

[@KodyKimani]

Does horizontal hierarchy kinda mean not to be making a task then a subtask then a checklist and a whole little corridor of things inside one task.... to put them all separate? Gill x ps - this is my second time watching and i'm learning more! I watched the time theming one tonight too- anddddd i just added a 'task' to my clickup to watch both again tomorrow! xx

[@LaylaPomper]

Hey! I recommend checking out The Blueprint, a live event I just did that walks through the horizontal org chart: processdriven.co/blueprint

[@KodyKimani]

@@LaylaPomper Thank you so much xx

[@brendasoucy8180]

I am watching this about a year after you’ve aired it, but I am finding this very helpful. I want to use some type of software to help me keep track of the important and vital things to scale my business up, but I am so wary. I want to learn how to use it effectively before I waste time setting it up. I don’t want to have to redo it over and over, because then what’s the point? I’d rather use pen and paper.

[@LaylaPomper]

Hey Brenda! If pen and paper works well for you, you can certainly stick with that! Something to remember is that your systems and processes will continue to evolve with you and your business. But once you find a set up that works, regardless of the tool, adjusting it will get easier!

[@pinecreekintranet1247]

Your video's are great

[@LaylaPomper]

Thanks! I’m so glad they’re helpful. ☺️

[@paperbell]

Hello! Which video of yours discusses idea triage methods?

[@LaylaPomper]

Hey Paperbell! Just getting caught up on comments🙈 Here are some videos you may find helpful: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpe9XqSFgL2Cmq8 kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y2OVZaaJfL6Kfc0 kzbin.info/www/bejne/kKq5iZR6p8uJntU

[@djsyrex]

I was wondering if you had a video of implementing Tony Robbins RPM methodology into clickup. I think its very similar to franklin covey's system. Also how about David allen's methodology explained in his book "Getting Things DOne" Thank you

[@LaylaPomper]

Thank you so much for the ideas! I'll add them to our content ideas List :)

[@artishawalker8112]

Hello! What system do you use for process mapping like shown here?

[@pasharm]

Whimsical

[@LaylaPomper]

Precisely! I also use Mural and Miro, but Whimsical is my favorite for livestreams.

[@brainfm-relaxation]

Hey! I like your video !!!

[@LaylaPomper]

Thanks so much! Appreciate the comment. ☺️🙏

[@sarahjthayer]

LAYLA I'm so upset that I just looked up "bi-weekly" and you're right... I had no idea. Twice weekly makes sense looking at the language but I always just assumed it was one of those words that we, as English speakers, made up and just stuck with even though it didn't make sense. But no! It's worse... it's way worse lol. (For context: adj. "done, produced, or occurring every two weeks or twice a week.")

[@LaylaPomper]

Sarah, I couldn't agree more with this message. 😂 What the heck, English?!

[@TheWebsiteSuccessHub]

I just thought, why don't you just say fortnightly? So I Googled it and turns out a really common expression in the UK isn't used much in the US apparently. I never knew that! 🙃😄

[@klarisseanneocampo7148]

Can you share the process mapping tool you are using please? Thanks!

[@LaylaPomper]

Sure thing! This one is using Whimsical.

[@pranay.mishra]

Those flowcharts where just awesome, Layla.

[@LaylaPomper]

@@pranay.mishra aw, thanks! I'm glad they were helpful!

[@ckimaging2153]

Can you make a video called "First time in ClickUp for people coming from physical notebook?!!!" The user interface is a mess, a chaos! How an app can be so nice if it is not for all people?!!

[@LaylaPomper]

CK that's a great idea! I'm going to add that onto our list for future videos. It is a fairly complex tool, but fortunately you don't NEED all the bells and whistles to get most of the benefit. :)

[@sir_fancy_exe1608]

Is the process map available for public view? I like the video but it is hard for me to follow the process without being able to see it as a whole.

[@LaylaPomper]

I'm glad you found the Process Map helpful, but unfortunately it is not available outside of our ClickingUp Community! That's one of the many reasons to join; consider checking it out! 😊 processdriven.co/services/clickingup/

[@cassidystokes9045]

What are you using to create these boards that your showing? I've wanted to create things like this in clickup but haven't been able to figure out how.

[@LaylaPomper]

My chart here is created in Whimsical, a separate map. :)

[@cassidystokes9045]

@@LaylaPomper you mentioned it in another video and I have been LOVING it. Wish I found this ages ago! Thanks for your help! 🙌

[@NoRefund17]

Anybody know what she is using for these flowcharts? I can't seem to figure out how to make one in clickup, is it another program?

[@LaylaPomper]

I used Whimsical in this video! I also use Mural and Miro, but Whimsical is my favorite for livestreams.

[@AB-we5zg]

Get out of my brain!!! Thank you for explaining what I was thinking and troubleshooting along the way!

[@LaylaPomper]

😂😂😂 So glad we’re on the same wavelength!!

[@MrMegaBolt]

What application do you use for the process mapping?

[@LaylaPomper]

Whimsical for this stream. ☺️

[@MrMegaBolt]

@@LaylaPomper Thanks!

[@amarkawale]

where to find the templates mentioned in video?

[@LaylaPomper]

Hey! Just getting caught up on comments🙈 You can get access to these templates (and more) inside of the ProcessDriven Membership! Click here for details processdriven.co/services/membership

[@djsyrex]

Are you still using this 2021 method #3 you described in this video or has it morphed again being that its 2023 and as we get older we get wiser-er. :)

[@LaylaPomper]

Hey! Here's the updated version: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4LNg4Kpaqlomqc

[@linaudio]

What whiteboard app are you using?

[@LaylaPomper]

Hey there! This is using Whimsical’s free plan. It’s so convenient!

[@MeLudzik]

👍👍👍

[@LaylaPomper]

🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@TheilTube]

Why only 720p resolution for your video ... ?

[@LaylaPomper]

I've invested in some big improvements on the pre-recorded side of things, but we've kept these live streams very simple so far because we're not streamining anything that requires super high-quality video. I'd love to stream in HD, but I don't plan on investing in that upgrade until the channel grows a bit larger :)

[@awesomeattorney8221]

Let me know when that #2 dream wants to come true. I'll be ready for you.

[@awesomeattorney8221]

Until then... tell me more about cleanup and this "clicking up" group I obviously need to check out.

[@LaylaPomper]

Hey! Just getting caught up on comments🙈 ClickingUp is the former name of what is now The ProcessDriven Membership! You can get all of the details here: processdriven.co/services/membership

[@msannemary]

Your guilt capitalism is my current way of working 😅

[@LaylaPomper]

🫣 Oh I remember those days!!!

[@arayahomes4308]

Really not a fan of these types of videos, I think this would be so much more useful if you made these type of lecture videos as I've seen you do but instead show examples with clickup instead of through these boards. I just don't think this is as practical and useful as if you did the same discussion but just inside of clickup instead of creating a mindmap chart..... my two cents

[@LaylaPomper]

That’s great to know! I’d love to hear if others feel the same way? It’s challenging to actually structure a presentation of this scale in ClickUp, but it certainly could be done.

[@barbbrimhallthebzbstamper8619]

I found this video format REALLY helpful! Thank you so much!

[@arayahomes4308]

@@LaylaPomper Yea I just think for people coming here to watch your videos specifically for learning better uses on clickup, than the examples should be done in clickup. The problem is when you don't do the examples in clickup it's really really tough to visualize how it would look in clickup if it's shown in anythign but clickup... I'm sure in a business sense this helps some people but I'm here watching your videos specifically for clickup workflows. Love most of your videos, just in my case don't find these videos helpful. Thanks for your response, I do love a lot of your content

[@arayahomes4308]

That is the beauty though that what helps one person might not help the other, for me specifically looking for clickup videos I think to myself dang another business talk video but for others they might get a lot from it ha so obviously have to take in all sides and do what you want, which I know you're doing. :). Keep up the great content.