Working from house comes with a ton of perks and an equal set of distinctive challenges. When you’re a freelancer or distant employee, then you understand the dread of mounting disorganization—the guilt and mind fog that comes from being unproductive in your day-to-day.
Would not it’s nice in case you had a digital assistant to maintain you on monitor—somebody that can assist you handle your calendar, invoices and bills, and initiatives? Although hiring a digital assistant will not be within the funds for the solopreneur, likelihood is you have already got one: Alexa.
Alexa is Amazon’s voice-controlled AI out there on many gadgets, together with the Amazon Echo good speaker. Thanks to those Alexa expertise (primarily apps), you possibly can enhance Alexa’s capabilities and switch it into a strong digital assistant.
1. Calendar
Whenever you join your Google, Microsoft, or Apple calendar, you need to use Alexa to handle your occasions. It’ll remind you of upcoming occasions, with the choice to disable notifications outdoors your working hours.
That is an built-in means, so that you needn’t obtain a ability. To make use of it:
- Open the Alexa app and choose the Extra tab on the backside.
- Faucet Calendar.
- Choose the gear icon within the top-right nook.
- So as to add your calendar account, faucet the plus icon.
- As soon as there, select which supplier you need to join and comply with the directions.
2. Reminders
With this built-in means, Alexa can remind you to do one thing that isn’t in your calendar at any time you specify. Say, “Alexa, add a reminder” to immediate it.
It’s also possible to add and edit throughout the Alexa app, beneath Reminders within the Extra tab.
That is a vital Alexa voice command. It replaces the necessity for sticky notes littering your workspace that you just swear you’re going to get round to cleansing up.
For instance, ask Alexa to remind you to name your consumer by saying, “Alexa, remind me to name Bob at 1:30 pm.” It’s also possible to ask it to remind you to change duties, and even to eat and go to the lavatory. Hey, all of us get so engrossed in work that generally we overlook these easy issues!
Todoist is an easy-to-use venture administration device (free for people) that may be as easy or advanced as you need it to be, and it integrates with Google Calendar.
When you join your Todoist account to the Alexa ability, you possibly can handle your job checklist, add duties, or have Alexa learn them to you with instructions reminiscent of:
- “Alexa, add name Jane tomorrow at 1pm to my to-do checklist.”
- “Alexa, add an HDMI cable to my procuring checklist.”
- “Alexa, what’s on my to-do checklist?”
Relying on the command, the duty is added to your Alexa to-do checklist or procuring checklist, which you’ll entry and edit in your browser or the Todoist app. Merely ask Alexa so as to add the duty to one among these lists.
It takes a very long time to refocus after a distraction. Notice Taker is the proper companion when you have got an concept that you want to jot down in the course of a venture, so that you don’t break your stream.
After enabling the ability, merely ask Alexa to “take my word,” and it’ll ask you what you need the word to say.
That is very best for fast concepts, because the recording time isn’t lengthy. Ask, “What’s my word?” to have it learn your notes to you. To delete or edit, you’ll need to go to the Alexa app to handle particular stickies.
Distant employees usually work together with one another and companies from totally different nations. In some instances, changing time zones is an easy job, however whenever you’re working with somebody on the opposite aspect of the world, the time distinction can get tough to gauge with out some assist.
Fairly than waste time checking your cellphone’s a number of world clocks, have Alexa help. Ask Alexa to transform the time now in New York to Tokyo time, or from Jap Customary Time to Indian Customary Time. You’ll be able to even go as particular as to ask for the time distinction on a selected date and time.
6. Math Calculations
Alexa’s fast to the draw relating to math calculations. Utilizing this built-in ability, ask it so as to add, subtract, multiply, and divide, or resolve a fancy equation hands-free whilst you work. It’s going to prevent loads of time as a substitute of reaching for the calculator.
For example, Alexa may help you draw up your invoices quicker—ask it to multiply your hours labored by your hourly price. That is significantly helpful in case your hourly price is totally different per sort of service you present, or in case your charges differ between purchasers.
YNAB (You Want a Price range) is a implausible budgeting service that syncs to your financial institution accounts and data your transactions, so you possibly can see the place your cash goes. It is not free, nevertheless it has a fairly priced month-to-month and annual plan.
You’ll be able to join your YNAB account to Alexa and use it to document spending, examine expenditure, see how a lot cash is remaining specifically classes, and extra.
To start, enroll/in to YNAB and construct your funds. Then:
- Allow the YNAB Alexa ability by way of the Alexa app or your browser.
- Hyperlink your YNAB account.
- Authorize the funds you need Alexa to trace.
As soon as achieved, you are good to go. Check out instructions like, “Alexa, ask YNAB what is the stability of Transportation?” or “Alexa, ask YNAB how a lot cash I’ve left to spend within the Gasoline class.”
Zoom Rooms present a distant convention room expertise; they create groups collectively and are significantly helpful for the freelancer or distant employee who collaborates with a number of individuals inside a corporation.
To make use of this ability, allow it and hyperlink your Zoom enterprise account. Then, use it to start out, finish, and be a part of conferences. For instance, say, “Alexa, begin assembly.”
This ability solely helps Zoom Rooms, not common Zoom conferences. It requires a Zoom enterprise account.
When to Select Alexa Over a Human Assistant
Alexa is a implausible digital assistant for some fundamental duties, reminiscent of managing your calendar or note-taking. When your wants lengthen past this, it could be time to think about hiring a human digital assistant. They may help you with graphic design, video modifying, social media administration, and extra.
