By: Lauren Parker
I don’t know a single communications professional who doesn’t wish there were more hours in a day. We’re always looking for tips and tools to help us better manage our time, stay focused, and create efficiencies. Here is a summary of some useful apps to consider:
Focus@Will: Research has shown that music can have a direct effect on our mental state. Focus@Will is a music streaming service that provides scientifically curated playlists to enhance focus and productivity. It offers a number of genres and soundscapes designed to improve concentration and reduce distractions. Focus@Will requires a subscription for full access to its features.
Forest: I started using Forest after reading the book, “How to Break Up with Your Phone.” It’s a one-of-a-kind app that uses gamification techniques to improve focus and reduce phone addiction (Hi. It’s me. I’m the problem, it’s me). When you set a timer and stay away from your phone, a beautiful virtual tree grows in the app. It encourages you to stay on task and avoid distractions. Forest is available for purchase on mobile platforms.
Pomodoro Timer: Pomodoro Timer is geared to help professionals manage time effectively. It divides work into 25-minute intervals separated by short breaks. The app notifies the user when to take breaks and when to resume work. There are several free Pomodoro Timer apps available on various platforms.
Todoist: Todoist is a task management app that allows you to create and organize tasks, set priorities, and track progress. It offers features like due dates, reminders, and collaboration options. If you’ve used Monday.com, Asana or Trello, this will feel familiar. It has a free plan, but a premium subscription with additional features is available.
RescueTime: RescueTime is a productivity app that runs in the background and tracks your digital activities. It provides detailed reports on time spent on different websites, applications, and tasks. Armed with these insights, you can identify time wasters (“but I learn so much from TikTok!”) and focus on more important work. RescueTime offers a free version and a premium version with additional features.
Evernote: This one has been a game-changer for those of us who are notorious for keeping notes in random places. Evernote helps users capture and organize ideas, documents, and tasks across multiple devices. Evernote has a free version, as well as premium and business plans.
If you know of others that should be added to the list, drop us a line.