By Moira Dunne
We need all the help we can get to be productive in today’s world of instant communication and constant distractions. Being productive means getting the important things done in the time that you have. So let’s look at some Top Apps to help you stay on track and save some valuable time.
There are hundreds of productivity apps out there. In fact, we can be really unproductive trying them all out! In this blog post, we present apps we have tried and tested to save you valuable time.
Most of these apps or software have a “fremium” version that provides basic functionality. This lets you try it out first before paying for more advanced features.
If you have your own recommendations, please share in the comments below.
Google Keep
A great app for making lists or keeping ideas and notes. Effectively a digital Post-It pad on your phone or laptop. Google Keep is an option on the Share menu so you can save a clickable link to an article or website to read later, helping you manage your time.
IFTTT
IFTTT stands for “If This, Then That”! This tool can automate the routine jobs you do or maybe forget to do! It can connect between different apps or programmes based on a “recipe” which is a simple list of instructions you create. An action or event in one app can trigger a task completion in the other. Here are some examples:
- Mute your phone in meetings by automatically setting your Android phone to silent (with or without vibration) according to your Google Calendar appointments.
- Track your Work Hours in a Particular Location by setting the location to automatically note your arrival and departure time in your Google Calendar.
Try it out – the possibilities are endless and only limited by your own imagination!
Trello
This is collaboration tool that organises projects into boards so you can see what’s being worked on, who’s working on what, and how things are progressing. It helps you manage projects, cut down on status report emails and provides visibility for everyone involved. I love it even for projects I am working on alone. The visual Kanzan board format is motivating and helps keep things on track.
Productivity with Trello collaboration boards
Focus (Pomodoro)
Timed working is a great productivity technique to help you stay on track and get more done. Focus is an app that makes it easy to set and reset timers for your blocks of work.
RescueTime
This app helps increase productivity by monitoring computer use and informing you when and how you are productive and distracted. It provides a weekly report which can motivate you to make changes.
Tripit
If you travel a lot this app can help you manage those trips. The app automatically connects to your email account, finds travel-confirmation emails, and turns them into a travel itinerary. TripIt will recognise your bookings on all the major search and booking sites as well as airlines, car rental services, hotels, restaurant reservations, etc.
Forest
Forest helps you deal with smartphone distraction. It monitors your smartphone usage and rewards you for not checking while staying focused on your work. The app is cute, you plant a tree which will grow as you work. In the paid version you receive credits, which you can use to plant a real tree in a developing country through Trees for the Future. Productivity and saving the planet – what’s not to love?
Take Control in 2019
So now you have 7 ideas to get you started with Productivity apps. Check back in the coming months as we review more great apps to help you protect your valuable time.
