5 Apps to Boost Your Productivity

Everyone wants to be more productive in the workplace. Some people take the option of working longer hours in the quest to get more things done. This, however, can actually negatively impact your productivity. Figuring out how to be more productive at work can be a tricky task. Fortunately, with software and mobile devices becoming a bigger and bigger part of our lives, there are plenty of apps out there to help you stay organized and get more done at work without having to stay after hours.

All the apps listed here work across platforms, as web-based or downloadable apps--often both. That way, no matter what device you’re working on or where you are, you’ll be sure to be your productive best. Let’s take a look at the run down of the five best productivity apps you should be using:

1. Evernote

Think of Evernote like your digital notebook. A convenient scrapbook where you can store notes, ideas, checklists, and even articles from the web. Evernote provides a convenient alternative to saving multiple Word documents all over your desktop in order to save notes. It also comes with powerful tagging and archiving features so you can keep all your thoughts organized. Evernote is ideal for those situations when you want to record an idea and come back to it later. The speed with which you're able to record and file ideas with Evernote means distractions are minimized, and you can get back to doing whatever you were doing when the idea hit you.

2. Trello

Trello enables you to visualize your tasks and arrange them in different groups or "boards". The ability to move different items around make it an ideal task manager if you thrive on visually seeing your tasks move from the "to-do" phase to a "completed" phase. Trello also allows you to attach files to your tasks and collaborate with fellow employees. This makes it an excellent app for keeping track of the multitude of tasks on complex projects, especially if you’re working on projects as part of a team.

3. Todoist

For those who prefer a more basic, ordered list-type of to-do list, Todoist may be the perfect productivity app. Its simple interface allows you to focus on exactly what you need to get done and nothing more. If you don’t require your task management app to carry much additional information, Todoist provides exactly what you need. Its clean, no-frills design makes checking what you've got to do while on-the-run quick and easy.

4. Feedly

If you need to track news in your industry from multiple websites and blog feeds, you know staying on top of various sources can be a time-consuming process. Feedly helps you keep all your RSS feeds in one place. Beyond that, you can organize them into different topics. Have several industry-related blogs you need to keep up to date with? Feedly allows you to group them together so you can read similarly-themed stories as they are posted. If you’re someone who needs to stay up-to-date with news and the latest industry trends and ideas, Feedly is a great way to keep everything organized.

5. Google Drive

If you and your team regularly collaborate on the same documents on your workplace’s server, you know how frustrating it can be. Since you aren’t able to work directly within the document at the same time, companies are often left with multiple versions of the same file, and this can get very messy and confusing. Google Drive keeps all your documents while enabling multiple people to collaborate at the same time. Whether it’s a word document, a spreadsheet, or even a slideshow presentation, you and your colleagues can all work together in the same place. Plus, since everything is saved to the cloud, you don’t have to worry about backup or even saving your work—it’s all done automatically, and all you need is an internet connection! All of these features make Google Drive a great platform for collaboration.

How to be more productive at work

Productivity is a constantly evolving skill--one you have to work at to master. Part of working at it is picking up tricks and tactics that help you leverage small improvements. These incremental improvements add up over time, and before you know it, you’ll have turned into a productivity wizard and the envy of the whole office.

Powering Through the Holidays: How to be a Glutton for Productivity

With the holidays coming up, you probably have a lot going on. The festive period is great for spending quality time with family, attending work parties, and eating great food. It can also, however, be the cause of a significant slowdown in your productivity at work. With so much going on, it can be easy to get caught up in the excitement of the season. Let’s take a look at some of the ways you can boost your productivity and make sure you get things done during the holiday period.

Switch off distractions around you

Technology can be a great help in boosting your productivity at work, but it can also be a huge distraction. The internet, cell phones, and social media can be the bane of worker productivity. These things are constantly vying for your attention-- a text from your best friend, an email, and “likes” on your latest Facebook post. It may seem like these disruptions aren’t a big deal, but think about it: the number of texts you receive throughout the day adds up. Each disruption means you have to spend time refocusing and re-engaging in what you were working on before.

If you feel you are easily distracted by the technology around you, try using one of the many browser extensions that enable you to block certain sites or turning your cell phone off. Even knowing that you won’t be disrupted by the sound of notifications on your phone will be a big help in letting you focus on the task at hand.

Beware the myth of multitasking

There has long existed a myth about an “efficient” worker as one who is handling multiple tasks at once. We may believe these people are successfully taking care of multiple items all at the same time. In reality though, this is impossible. The human brain is actually incapable of focusing on multiple things at once. Instead, when people think they are multitasking, they are actually switching from one task to another very quickly and spreading their attention thinly across those tasks. By focusing instead on one task at a time, you are far more effective and efficient in getting work done.

Working through your tasks

To get through your work, it helps some people to have some kind of system. There are many productivity systems out there like Getting Things Done, Personal Kanban, and the Pomodoro technique. Finding the right one for you is often a case of trying different ones out and seeing which work best. You can even take certain aspects of one productivity system that work for you and combine them with aspects of others. Whatever method you choose to work through your tasks, it’s a good idea to start by making a list of things you need to accomplish. A list of your tasks enables you to see exactly what needs to get done and prioritize it effectively based on its importance and when it’s due. More advanced users often make different categories of lists. For example: items that need to get done, items they are waiting for responses on, and more long term project-related items. However you decide to do it, the most important things about a productivity system is that it works for you.

Take care of yourself

When on a productivity kick, it’s tempting to try to do everything. Don’t fall into this trap-- it can actually be counterproductive. People will stay later at work for longer hours to try to get more accomplished. This is a great way to burn out quickly and actually end up accomplishing less. Instead, you need to take care of yourself if you want to be productive. Exercising regularly is a great way to ensure you’re in peak physical health. By exercising, you improve your stamina to be able to get through the day, improve your mental health and ability to handle stress, and reduce illnesses that keep you out of the office. Taking care of yourself also extends to the workplace. Even though you’re working hard, be sure to take regular, short breaks. Breaks allow you to decompress and clear your mind before getting back to working through your tasks.

Constantly improving productivity

Working more productively is a constant effort to come up with different systems, processes, and tricks to create the ideal mindset and environment to get things done. Taking the time to implement some of these tips as a starting point will go a long way to keeping you on track through the excitement and distractions that come with each holiday season.