Today, I had an A-HA moment. It came to me as a result of my 2026 theme: using my time wisely and applying that theme to my business. And now, I have my first goal for the new year.

But First…

I’m a sucker for all kinds of productivity tools. And just when I thought I had heard of them all, another one came to my attention this morning. Something called Capacity. I listened to a podcaster sing its praises and vow to stick with this tool all year instead of buying the next shiny new thing.

Usually, I would fall into the trap of finding it online, checking out its features, and impulsively signing up for a free trial or a monthly subscription to give it a try. From there, I’d create a profile, add some information to get me started, and within a week, forget it even existed. Too often, I’d forget to uncheck the automatic monthly renewal box, making this whole exercise not only a waste of time but also money.

Meanwhile, I had already signed up for tools that can produce the same results. They are just sitting there like a neglected gym membership. I haven’t invested enough time and energy into them. But guess what they do have…my hard-earned money.

My A-HA Moment

While reviewing my 2025 expenses, my third-highest expense was subscriptions to business tools like HoneyBook, Todoist, LinkedIn Premium, and others. I invested in these tools to streamline admin tasks, enhance productivity, and make my life easier. Third. Highest. Right behind coffee dates and networking events.

Here’s the thing… I use these tools every day for high-level tasks, but I’m not taking advantage of all their bells and whistles. For instance, I use HoneyBook for its CRM, business templates, and money-management system. I love it! However, I’m not using it to the fullest extent. It has an entire section for capturing leads that has gone untouched. I have access to up to 10 live lead forms and have only used one to date. There are also automations for common tasks that I’ve never explored.

Another tool I use daily but have barely scratched the surface of all the capabilities is Todoist. It has advanced task management, filters, automations and customizations.

I’m currently using it as an ongoing to-do list, and not a very comprehensive one. Basically, I’m paying $5/month for a satisfying little ding sound when I complete a project.

See what I’m saying?

What Now?

So what is the answer? Do I unsubscribe and start over? That would be silly and a little overdramatic.

Instead, I’m doubling down. Each month, I’m taking time to learn what each of these tools offer and applying what I know to make the most of them—or canceling/downgrading my subscription.

Now the questions is where to start. Since it is the beginning of a new year, I think it makes the most sense to start with Todoist. Admittedly, I have my tasks spread out either on paper, post-it notes, or emails, and they all are living rent-free in my head. I’m sure I can save a lot of time and energy if I learn to use this tool effectively. And that would be time well spent. I’ll keep you posted on how I’m doing.

Are there business tools you’ve invested in, but haven’t used to their full extent? And if you use this Todoist, I’d love to hear your thoughts and recommendations.

XO,
Elisa

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