Get Shift Done: Tips and Tricks
Did you know that your Google Calendar can also be an information hub? You can add other calendars (other than those of your teammates), weather reports and other useful widgets. Here’s how to add a few specific widgets and where to find more.
Add Google Fit
Your health is important to being your best at work, so having your fitness information integrated with your Google Calendar can be super helpful. Google just released an update that lets you sync your Google Fit account and your fitness apps to your Google Calendar.
All you need to do is:
- Open the Calendar app.
2. Create a new goal by clicking on the red + icon in the bottom right of the screen.
3. Tap on the Goal Icon.
4. Choose the Exercise option and then whatever exercise you want.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions and then tap Connect when it asks to add your Google Fit account.
The calendar will look for the best time in your schedule for you to work out and ask you if the time is okay.
You can also connect your various fitness apps. Go to your fitness app’s setting and look for Google Fit. Then, follow the on-screen instructions. Once that’s done, Google Calendar will be linked to your app through Google Fitness.
Now, activity in your favorite fitness apps will be recorded and used to mark your goals in Google Calendar as “done” automatically.
Add the Weather
Knowing what the weather has in store can make a big difference in your daily plans. Having your forecast in your calendar gives you the information you need while you check on your schedule.
- Go to the Gear icon on the right side of the desktop version of Calendar.
- Go to Settings.
- Scroll down to Show weather based on my location and choose your temperature preference.
- Click Save.
Now, your weather will show up as little icons on each day. You can click on the icon and more information, such as the high and low temperature for that day will be displayed.
Add Other Calendars
You can add a lot of different calendars to your Google Calendar so you never miss a thing.
- Go to the Gear icon on the right side of the desktop version of Calendar.
- Go to Settings.
- Click on the Calendar tab at the top of the screen.
- This page will have a lot of options for adding calendars for you to choose from, but go to the Other Calendars option and click on Browse interesting calendars.
From here you can add your favorite sports team’s play schedule, holidays from around the world (particularly helpful if you have international clients) and more. You can also add calendars from websites by entering the URL in the More tab. For example, you can add your TV show schedule using this helpful site or movie times with this site.
Add Facebook Events
If you or people you know tend to schedule things through Facebook, or you just want to add all of your co-worker, friend’s and family’s birthdays easily, you can add those to your Google Calendar automatically, as well.
- Go to Facebook Events.
- Scroll down until you see a little notice about adding your calendar to other calendars on the right side of the page.
3. Right-click on Upcoming Events or Birthdays, whichever you want to add.
4. Copy the URL by clicking Copy Link Address.
5. Go to the Gear icon in Calendar.
6. Go to Settings.
7. Click on the Calendar tab at the top of the screen.
8. Choose the Other Calendars option and click on Browse interesting calendars.
9. Click on the More option and add the URL using the Add by URL option.
And A Gazillion Other Useful Widgets
Those were just the basics. You can add a ton of other nifty things to Google Calendar using the Lab. The Lab is where Google tries out experimental features that you can try before they become official, if they ever do.
- Go to the Gear icon on the right side of the desktop version of Calendar.
- Click on the Labs.
- Browse through all of the neat options people have come up with, click Enable on the ones you find useful, and click Save.
Some sweet options in the Lab include a notification for when your co-workers are free, adding a world clock to your calendar and more. These new additions will be put in a panel on the right side of your calendar in the desktop version.
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