So DAM productive
working smarter not harder
Productivity, to me, means the amount of value you create in a specific amount of time. The goal: work smarter, not harder, and definitely not longer. Like I said when we were talking about to-do lists, prioritizing the work at hand can go a long way. But sometimes we need to set the scene to get more solid work done in the time we have - or want - to spend.
I love a deadline. Not sure if it’s my perfectionist tendencies that make me feel like there is always room for improvement (which can lead to procrastination - not the best!), but knowing when the final version is due can help me prioritize which steps to do first. By breaking it down and working backward, I can create a pretty good timeline.
Let’s say you have broken down your timeline and have cleared your calendar for deep-focus work this afternoon. How can you create a space to be more productive? It varies by person, but these strategies help me.
Use the Pomodoro method. I learned about this from The Jane Club (a wonderful co-working space based in LA now virtual) and even do it on my own with a YouTube timer. The basics: a 25-minute sprint of work, followed by 5-minute breaks. Repeat for 3-5 sessions and take a longer break.
Create a soundscape. Speaking of YouTube, there are Pomodoro timers with cool playlists that mimic coffee shops, office noise, rain, or other environments for productivity. Me, I like Spotify playlists of lo-fi versions of pop songs or other instrumental songs. If it is not a deep-focus task, I might switch to a podcast (this list is a good start and I’d add Undiscarded, Pop Culture Happy Hour, What Went Wrong, Pod Save America, Busy Phillips is Doing Her Best, The Deep Dive, and Add to Cart to get through my emails or handle simple tasks - also great for a walk to break up the day.
Automate where you can. Some of those simple tasks can be automated. Spend the time to help your future self do less. Set calendar events for weekly reviews, create email templates for repeat questions, include links in your signature, and create guides for FAQs. Use systems and AI tools to offload repetitive work.
More specifically, how to be more productive doing digital asset management (DAM) work. I’ve written about each separately, but it’s nice to see them all together:
Use a DAM solution. A DAM solution can help you to organize, store, and manage your digital assets more efficiently. There are many DAM solutions on the market, so choose one that meets your specific needs.
Create a DAM strategy. What are your goals for DAM? How will you use DAM to improve your business? Having a clear DAM strategy will help you to stay focused and make the most of your DAM solution.
Organize your assets. Take the time to organize your assets in a way that makes sense for your business. This will make it easier to find the assets you need when you need them.
Use tags and metadata. Tags and metadata can help you to categorize your assets and make them easier to find. When tagging your assets, be sure to use relevant keywords that will help users find them.
Version control. Version control allows you to track changes to your assets over time. This can be helpful if you need to revert to a previous version of an asset or if you need to collaborate with others on an asset.
Set permissions. Set permissions on your assets so that only authorized users can access them. This will help to protect your assets from unauthorized access and loss.
Back up your assets. It is important to back up your assets regularly in case of data loss. This will ensure that you always have access to your assets, even if something happens to your DAM solution, so make sure it is not a standalone product but a hub.
Monitor your DAM solution. Monitor your DAM solution to ensure that it is working properly and that your assets are secure. This will help you to identify and address any problems early on.
Some methods will not work for everyone, or continue to work across roles, environments, or even people. But especially if you get overwhelmed, I think some of the productivity tips included can help you get a handle on your priorities and help you work a bit smarter, not harder, for the same impact. I would love to learn more productivity tips, so feel free to share them.