Best Apps To Increase Your Productivity
Balancing my roles as an online working mother involves handling a variety of responsibilities. From tending to household chores, engaging in playtime with my children, tackling daily shopping, and fulfilling various other tasks, I must also juggle my professional duties.
But, from my experience working online, the biggest challenge is staying focused on completing my tasks, as I often get distracted by social media or other internet sources. Sometimes, I feel it’s difficult to manage time and prioritize my tasks. This is what makes me take longer to finish my work, which, of course, can hinder my productivity.
Thankfully, plenty of apps to increase productivity are designed to enhance efficiency, enabling me to allocate more time with my family. One of my favorite ways to maximize time is by using apps that simplify tasks and help you earn some extra money. So, in this article, I want to share with you the tools that I find very useful and helpful in staying organized, increasing productivity and making the most of your day.
Best Apps to Stay Focus
As mentioned above, completing my tasks is challenging when I get distracted by watching YouTube or checking my social media. I felt like I could spend hours just scrolling things, and when I realized I was not getting anything done. Let alone my work, household chores, and other tasks are being neglected.
So, I decided to use apps to increase productivity that can help me minimize those distractions. And these are the apps:
1. Forest
It is a unique and fun productivity app that helps you stay focused and minimize distractions. The concept behind Forest is simple yet effective: by planting virtual trees and setting a timer, you commit to staying off your phones and focusing on your tasks. Your virtual trees grow as you resist the urge to use your devices. However, if you give in to temptation and exit the app, your tree withers and dies.
The application can be accessed as a Chrome extension, is free to download on Android devices, and can be purchased on iOS.
2. Cold Turkey
Cold Turkey is an app that helps you focus by blocking distracting websites and apps. You can list websites and apps you want to avoid, and Cold Turkey will stop you from using them for a while. It also lets you set up schedules for when the blocks should be active. This way, you can concentrate on your work or studies without getting sidetracked.
The Cold Turkey app can be downloaded for free from their official website. However, both free and paid versions are available, with the paid version offering additional features and customization options.
Best Apps to Manage Your Time and Tasks
1. Any.do
This app can help you organize your tasks, manage your time effectively, and collaborate with others seamlessly.
Using Any.do, you can easily create tasks, set due dates, and prioritize your activities with just a few taps. You can also organize tasks into customizable lists to categorize them based on project, priority, or deadline.
It has calendar integration, synchronizing tasks with the calendar so you can see your schedule and to-do list side by side.
Any.do also has sharing features. You can share tasks and lists with your family, friends, or colleagues to collaborate on projects or events. The information will be updated in real time so everyone stays informed and on the same page.
Other additional features are reminders, subtasks, and attachments. These features notify you of upcoming tasks or events, break down larger tasks into smaller tasks, and add relevant files or documents to your tasks.
You can download the Any.do app for free from the respective app stores on Android and iOS devices. However, premium features are also available, which require a purchase to access.
2. Todoist
This task management app helps you organize your tasks, set reminders, and stay productive. You can create tasks and organize them into projects and sub-projects, which allows you to prioritize tasks based on importance and deadlines.
This app has natural language processing capabilities. You can quickly add tasks by typing or speaking them, Todoist automatically understands what you type and adds the tasks with all the important information.
It also has collaboration features, so you can share projects with others and delegate tasks to team members.
You have access to a free basic plan. It’s compatible with your smartphones, tablets, and desktop computers, allowing you to stay productive no matter where you are.
3. Notion
This app allows you to organize your tasks, notes, and projects in one place. I like using Notion because I can create pages and customize them with different types of content, like text, lists, and tables. It also has features for managing tasks, tracking progress, and working with a team.
Notion offers a free basic plan with limited features. However, additional features are available with paid plans.
4. Google Calendar
Google Calendar is an online tool provided by Google that helps you manage your time effectively. It’s like a digital planner where you can keep track of your appointments, meetings, and events.
With Google Calendar, you can easily add new events, set reminders, and organize your schedule. You can access it from any device with internet access, whether it’s your computer, smartphone, or tablet. Plus, it syncs across all your devices, so you’ll always have the latest version of your schedule.
Best App for Mind Map
Mind mapping has been a game-changer for me, both personally and professionally. It’s like creating a visual roadmap for my thoughts, ideas, and projects. Instead of making boring lists, I start with a main idea and branch out to related topics and details. It’s like connecting the dots in my brain!
This method sparks my creativity and helps me see the big picture. Whether I’m planning a project or solving a problem, mind mapping lets me organize my thoughts in a fun and intuitive way. Plus, it helps me remember things better, especially when I use colors and images to make my maps more visual.
To take it a step further, I’ve also explored some of the best apps to increase productivity. These apps not only help with mind mapping but also streamline tasks, manage time, and keep projects on track. Here are some of the top tools that can enhance your productivity and creativity:
1. MindMeister
MindMeister stands out as one of the leading mind-mapping apps, known for its user-friendly interface and collaborative features. With MindMeister, you can create visually appealing mind maps, collaborate in real-time with team members, and access your maps from any device. Its seamless integration with other productivity tools like Google Drive and Microsoft Teams makes it a versatile choice for personal and professional use.
2. XMind
XMind is another popular choice. With it, you can create hierarchical and tree-like mind maps, add multimedia elements like images and attachments, and export your maps in various formats. XMind’s user-friendly interface makes it a valuable tool for students, teachers, and professionals.
3. SimpleMind
This mind-mapping app is available on multiple platforms, including iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS. With SimpleMind, you can easily create mind maps, customize your appearance, and sync them across all your devices. Whether you’re organizing your thoughts, planning a project, or studying for exams, SimpleMind provides a user-friendly interface and powerful features to help you stay organized and focused.
Best App for Making a Note
Sometimes, I tend to forget things easily. Especially when I have a lot on my mind or many tasks to complete, I end up overlooking some things that I should have done. Sometimes, I also forget when ideas suddenly come to mind but then forget them shortly after. I’m sure you’ve experienced something like this too.
Well, to ensure I don’t forget important things or what I need to do, I have to write them down in my notebook, but sometimes I forget to bring the notebook and writing tools or where I put them.
So, I started taking notes using the note-taking app that I downloaded on my phone. It’s very convenient and makes it easier for me. These are the best note-making apps available that help me and will help you too.
1. Evernote
Evernote is a handy app for taking notes, whether it’s text, images, or web pages. You can organize your notes in notebooks and add tags to find them easily later. It works on your phone, tablet, or computer, so you can access your notes from anywhere. Plus, you can share your notes with others and connect them with other apps you use.
Evernote offers both free and subscription-based plans. The free plan allows users to access basic features and limited storage space. The subscription-based plans, known as Evernote Personal, Evernote Professional, and Teams provide additional features and increased storage capacity.
2. Microsoft OneNote
Microsoft OneNote is another note-taking app that works with other Microsoft Office apps. It’s flexible and lets you capture notes in different formats, such as text, drawings, and audio recordings. You can organize your notes into notebooks and sections, collaborate with others, and access them from any device.
3. Google Keep
Google Keep is a simple and user-friendly note-taking app that syncs with other Google services. It’s colorful and straightforward, allowing you to create text, voice, and image notes easily. You can set reminders and collaborate in real-time. With labels and categories, it’s easy to find what you need, whether organizing your recipes by meal type, categorizing your travel plans by destination, or sorting your project ideas by priority level.
4. Simplenote
True to its name, Simplenote offers a minimalist and distraction-free note-taking experience, perfect for you who prefer simplicity and efficiency. With its clean interface and basic features, Simplenote allows you to create text notes, organize them with tags, and sync them across all devices.
While it may lack some of the advanced features found in other note-making apps, Simplenote excels in its simplicity and ease of use, making it great for quick and easy note-taking.
Best App for File Sharing and Collaboration
1. Google Drive
Google Drive is like a digital locker where you can keep all your files safe and organized online. It has plenty of space and can store different types of files, like documents, pictures, and videos.
Google Drive lets lots of people work on documents at the same time, which is super helpful. With Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides, you can all work on stuff together, like writing papers or making presentations, without sending lots of emails back and forth. It’s perfect for teamwork, whether you’re sharing ideas with classmates or working on projects with colleagues.
You can use the Google Drive app on your phone or tablet to get your files wherever and whenever you need them. It lets you look at, change, and share your files on the move, so you can keep getting stuff done even if you’re not at your computer. Plus, if you’re somewhere without internet, you can still work on your files offline, and they’ll sync up when you’re back online.
Best Apps for Grammar and Writing
As a content creator, effective communication is essential. Whether crafting emails, writing reports, or composing social media posts, polished and error-free content can significantly impact the audience.
Sadly, I often encounter grammatical errors that disrupt my writing and prevent me from producing high-quality content, and honestly, it’s a bit challenging for me to create error-free content.
Therefore, I need an application that helps reduce my mistakes and makes my writing clearer and easier to understand. Fortunately, there are several grammar and writing apps available that help me improve my writing skills and produce high-quality content.
1. Grammarly
Grammarly is a leading writing assistant app that offers advanced grammar checking, punctuation correction, and style suggestions to help you write with clarity and confidence.
Grammarly can identify and correct a wide range of writing errors, including spelling mistakes, grammatical errors, and punctuation issues. Additionally, Grammarly offers insights into tone and readability, allowing you to adjust your writing to suit your audience.
2. Hemingway Editor
Hemingway Editor is a writing tool inspired by Ernest Hemingway, known for his clear and direct style. The app identifies complicated sentences, passive voice, and adverb usage, helping users simplify their writing and improve readability. It also offers readability scores and alternative phrasing suggestions to enhance clarity and effectiveness.
Hemingway Editor can be used offline. While the web version requires an internet connection, the desktop version, available for both Windows and Mac, can be used without one once installed. This allows you to access the app’s features and improve your writing even when offline.
Best App for Graphic Design
1. Canva
Canva is an online graphic design platform that offers a wide range of tools and resources for creating stunning visuals. Whether you’re designing social media graphics, presentations, posters, or even resumes, Canva provides a user-friendly interface and drag-and-drop functionality that simplifies the design process.
Canva has thousands of pre-designed templates, customizable layouts, and many stock photos, illustrations, and icons to help you easily create quality visuals.
Its collaborative features enable you to invite team members or collaborators to edit designs in real-time, share feedback, and contribute to projects from anywhere.
I really enjoy using Canva because it’s so user-friendly. Upgrading to the Pro version gave me unlimited access to premium stock photos and advanced tools, making it well worth the cost!
Conclusion
These apps have been a game-changer for me! As an online working mom, they’ve helped me stay focused, organized, and on top of my tasks. I’ve been able to cut down on distractions, get things done faster, and have more time for my family. They’ve made my life easier and more productive, allowing me to focus on what truly matters.
If you’re interested in exploring more ways to work online, check out my article on how to make money online like translating, transcribing, or teaching English online. It’s a great resource for anyone looking to start their work-from-home journey!
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Sindi