3 Productivity Apps to Save Time and Get More Done

Most of us find ourselves glued to our phones and computers all day. Why not make the most of our constant connectivity by using apps to help us manage our busy lives? It’s all about leveraging our devices instead of falling prey to them.

Ready to improve your productivity and create more time in your day? Here are 3 apps that might just change your life!

 

1. Doodle – This scheduling app clears the clutter from everyone’s inbox and makes coordinating a breeze.

Doodle is becoming quite popular so you may have already heard of it. That said, I don’t know how many group emails I still get trying to coordinate schedules, which means more people need to be introduced to this easy scheduling app.

Instead of sending an email asking if everyone is available on certain dates (or the dreaded open ended question of “when is everyone available?”), you create a quick form with proposed dates and times and send it to your family, friends, team, or anyone else you’re trying to coordinate with. Each person types in their name (they don’t have to register for an account) and chooses the dates and times when they’re available. You can then easily see when everyone can meet or propose additional dates and times.

The best part? It’s free!

If you’re new to using tech to help you stay organized, this is an easy app to get your feet wet.

 

2. Nirvana – Ready to seriously get things done? This time/project management app will rock your world. 

You’ll need to set aside some time to set up Nirvana and learn its user-friendly system, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be knocking out your to-do list like a ninja warrior.

Nirvana is based on (although not endorsed by or affiliated with) David Allen’s popular book Getting Things Done – The Art of Stress Free Productivity. Basically, the system works like this:

You start with a data dump and continue to keep a running list of everything that’s cluttering your mind. You categorize it as work or personal and quickly flag it for how much time and energy it will take. You then decide whether to: (1) schedule it, (2) put it in the queue for tackling soon, (3) note that you’re waiting on someone else or (4) put it on the backburner. You can then get a clear picture of what needs to be done and by when.

You can even tell the app how much time and energy you have and it will tell you the available tasks and projects best to tackle in that moment. Holy guacamole, that’s some serious project management at your fingertips!

It gets even better… the app encourages you to review and prioritize every week. I teach this method to all of my clients. If you’re not reviewing and prioritizing weekly, you’re giving away your time and freedom.

{Curious about how this works? You can find a super easy explanation and overview of the app’s productivity system HERE.}

The app is free but if you want even more advanced features, you can purchase the Pro version for just $39/year or $5/month, which is a steal.

 

3. StayFocusd – Struggling to stay focused and need a detox from online distractions? Think of this app like a nicotine patch for the internet.  

The nuclear option on this app will allow you to dominate your day, cut out the filler and get home earlier. But be warned, it’s not for the faint of heart…

StayFocusd is a Chrome extension so it’s ideal for your work computer. The nuclear option blocks access to the internet or certain websites you identify. You can turn it on at any given time, create a timer to limit the amount of time you’re allowed to spend on any given site, or schedule a “black out.”

If you find yourself procrastinating, easily distracted or simply wasting time on social media, blogs, flash sales, news or sports sites, or other online time-suckers, this is a great tool to help you break that habit. (If you need this on your phone or tablet, try the Freedom app.)

If the thought of this app makes you nauseous, you’re probably the perfect candidate 🙂

This app is also free.

 

So there you have it — 3 apps to help you save time and be more productive. When you reduce the clutter in your mind and eliminate the unnecessary time-sucks in your day, you can get more done and enjoy more of what life has to offer. And who doesn’t want that?

Now it’s your turn. Leave a comment below and share your favorite productivity apps. Remember, sharing is caring!