Three Google Workspace Templates for Productivity

Introduction

• 10+ years experience using Google tools at work.
• Basics have the most impact on productivity.
• Sharing 3 Google Workspace templates for improved productivity.
  • Notes template in Google Docs.
  • Collaborative meeting template in Google Sheets.
  • Organizational tip for Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides.

Notes Template in Google Docs

Initial Template

• Evolved from 8 years ago to a highly flexible template.
• Used for various workplace situations: project management, coffee chats, one-on-one meetings.

Structure

1. First Page
   • One Sentence Summary: Objective or purpose of the document.
   • Key Material Section: Relevant links and documents.
   • Outstanding Questions Section: Track urgent and open issues dynamically.
2. Second Page
   • Actual Notes Format: Simple, organized with headings, subheadings, and bullet points.

Formatting Tips

• Use heading 3 (###) for placeholder headings.
• Divider topics: Make bold.
• Action items: Normal text, bolded, and use bullet points.
• Use underline for action items during meetings to spot key takeaways.
• Use tab to indent and shift+tab to un-indent text.

Pro Tips

1. Underline action items for easy spotting and copying after meetings.
2. Utilize tab and shift+tab for indents and outdents in bullet point formats.
3. Google Workspace Business Users: Submit templates to Google Docs homepage's template gallery for reuse.
4. Sign up for the Workspace Toolkit to get these templates.

Collaborative Meeting Template in Google Sheets

• Optimized for team meetings, promoting collaboration.

Structure

• Meeting Date: Helps to track meeting notes over time.
• Notetaker: Person responsible for taking notes.
• Agenda Items and Owners: Tracks topics and responsible persons.
• Duration: Session duration for each agenda item.
• Pre-read Documents and Notes: Facilitate preparedness.
• Action Items: Tasks recorded during the meeting.

Benefits

1. Saves meeting organizer’s time.
2. Ensures visibility of critical elements to all participants.
3. Previous discussions are accessible by scrolling down.

Additional Tips

• Use the mapping tab to add/remove team members.
• Shortcuts for formatting, adding rows.

Organizational Tip for Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Slides

• One-time setup for long-term benefit.

Comments Tracking

• In Gmail, search for comments using comments -no reply at docs.google.com to find unaddressed comments.
• Create bookmarks for assigned tasks:
  • Google Slides: Use URL to filter for open comments assigned to oneself.
  • Similar bookmarks for Google Docs and Sheets.

Additional Resources

• Workspace Toolkit for URLs and tips for Google Drive.
• Feedback on biggest struggles with Google Workspace welcomed for new template creation.

Conclusion

• Check out more productivity tips videos.
• Have a great day!