8 Kickass Productivity Apps

Aug 20

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What Exactly Is Productivity?

According to Dictionary.com, productivity is the quality, state, or fact of being able to generate, enhance, create, or bring forth goods and services. In an ongoing effort to increase my productivity, I use several apps to help keep me on track with my tasks and deadlines, collaborate and communicate better with teammates or clients, and plan my schedule to ensure I get the most out of each day.

I have decided to compile a list of the 8 productivity apps (which you probably have figured out are apps that make your daily work easier and quite frankly, more productive) I use the most, which you will find below.

How I Started Using Productivity Apps

Before we get to my list of go-to productivity apps, I will tell you a bit about myself. Growing up, my favorite channel was Tech TV (you probably have no idea what that is). I used to eagerly watch Leo Leport take live calls on air to help callers with troubleshooting their computer issues on a show titled “Call For Help”, as well as other tech shows hosted by Patrick Norton and Kevin Rose, and I was lucky enough to end up working with all 3 gentlemen at Revision 3 in 2007 on an early stage podcasting startup (before podcasting was what it evolved into today).

My childhood intrigue in technology led me to build computers, and eventually my first website. For me, the best part was finding out how to assemble or automate computers, games, and websites with less work, and since then I have been constantly seeking ways in which I can get more done for less effort each day.

All of this has led me to my current role as CEO of Dope Dog, where I use all 8 productivity apps I list below at least once a week.

My Top 8 Favorite Productivity Apps Include:

Basecamp

Project management tool

Basecamp is a powerful project management tool that I use daily to plan my tasks, communicate with my team, and manage projects. One of its most useful features is a message board that the team can post updates on so that everyone is updated at the same time.

Other features I love about Basecamp include:

I can create to-do-lists and assign tasks to my team while keeping track of what projects are on schedule, what resources are needed, and if there are any delays.
A nifty schedule is included on the dashboard, so I can keep track of important dates and deadlines.
There is a ‘Docs & Files’ section where everyone has access to all shared resources.
Campfire, which is essentially a chatroom.

You can also create teams for specific departments or projects while making it easier for the various departments to collaborate.

Another feature I enjoy is automatic check-ins, which ask each user a set of questions at the end of the day that they can answer at their own time, and the answers are shared with the members of the group. This allows everyone in the company to know what each person is doing or planning to do, which eliminates the need for time-consuming status meetings.

Basecamp is crucial for keeping me organized and in sync with my team.

Zapier

Automation

Zapier helps connect two or more services that would not typically go together so that usually tedious tasks become automated. For example, you can have an email sent to your inbox trigger an alarm at your home, or have a tweet that you receive generate an email, or create an excel document. The integrations that Zapier allows are virtually limited only by your imagination.

An example of how I use Zapier daily is when I receive an email in my work Gmail account, it automatically downloads any attachments to my Dropbox folder, and sends me an alert in Slack.

The best part is that creating awesome and time-saving automations is only a few clicks away and requires zero coding. You just select the software that you wish to link and start building your customized workflows. Zapier includes integration for over 1,500 tools, so your required services are likely included.

If you like saving time and avoiding repetitive tasks, Zapier is a must. You receive a 14-day free trial, and their packages start at $20 per month.

Notion

Notepad

The notion is much more of a database tool than just a run of the mill notepad. Think of it as a supped-up Evernote.

Apple Reminders

Reminder

Setting reminders is super easy, and anytime I need to make notes of stuff I want to recall, I just take out my phone and tell Siri, or quickly type it in. This may seem like a simple task, but I have tried Todoist, Wunderlist, and many similar apps, and Apple Reminders simply works the best for me. Another plus is that it is on every device I own, and it syncs up with my calendar.

Fantastical

Calendar

This lightweight and stable calendar app boasts a cool user interface and many nifty features, such as the ability to sync between Apple devices, attach files and photos, event planning functionality, a task list, and more. There is even a function that allows you to see weather conditions for future dates so that you can know to come prepared when doing in-person meetings.

Oak

Meditation

Oak is without a doubt the best mediation app on the market. It is simple, free, and easy to use. While not a traditional productivity app, it greatly helps me to prioritize my mental health and focus. I often take 30 minutes of each day to sit and breathe, which helps me clear my mind of mental clutter.

Forest Pomodoro Timer

Pomodoro Timer

The Pomodoro Technique was developed by Francesco Cirillo as a more productive method of working and studying, where one uses a timer to break down tasks into 25-minute intervals, each split up by short breaks.

Forest adds its unique spin by gamifying this method, which allows you to plant a tree by focusing on your tasks. The longer you stay away from your phone/device and focus on your work, the more your tree grows, while you also earn virtual coins.

Consequently, if you engage with your device and leave the app before your time expires, your tree will die.

Forest also partners with Trees For The Future that plants real trees whenever you spend your virtual coins.

By using Forest, you not only remain productive by avoiding your mobile devices, but you also gamify your downtime while growing real trees and helping the environment.

Headway: Books' Key Ideas

Book Summaries

With Headway, I can dive into any topics I choose and absorb the knowledge contained in some of the world’s foremost books on Politics, Productivity, Investment, Love, Finance and so much more.

What makes Headway such a great productivity app is that all books are compressed into 15-minute summaries. The user interface is excellent, and I can read or listen to at least 1 good book and empower myself daily, even with my busy life.

Best of all I can listen to summaries while driving or exercising, which greatly improves my daily productivity.