TIME MANAGEMENT: SEVEN TOOLS TO ASSIST IN PRODUCTIVITY
Time cannot be managed. We manage ourselves in relation to time. But no matter what you call it, we’re all trying to get better at it, so here are some tools to help.
1. RESCUETIME
This app helps you avoid “the overwhelm” by understanding how you spend your time and blocking distractions, letting you become more productive. It sends weekly reports to indicate what’s stealing your time. You may be surprised to discover how much time you are wasting.
2. MYLIFEORGANIZED
This task-management software helps you target what you should be focusing on to reach your objectives. It automatically generates to-do lists with priority actions for your immediate attention. You can manage not only tasks but projects, habits and even life goals.
3. TODOIST
Available via browser and app, this tool lets you capture and organize tasks when they come to mind, remember deadlines, collaborate on projects, organize projects and track progress. Each item can be flagged for priority, and you can add notes to any of your tasks.
4. TOGGL
Effective time management starts by getting a clear picture of how much time you spend on each project and task and through analysis, working out how you can manage them more effectively with a time-tracking tool like Toggl. With a clean, intuitive interface, it’s incredibly easy to use both online and offline.
5. FOCUS@WILL
This app’s scientifically optimized music will help you get in a focused flow faster and stay there longer. In fact, according to the developers, it is possible to increase your attention span by up to 400 percent, making this app ideal for those who find it difficult to focus while studying, working or reading.
6. TRELLO
Trello is a popular app that allows you to create cards and lists for tasks. Each card moves across the Trello board, which is typically broken into columns such as To Do, In Progress and Completed. It’s also great for teams, making collaboration and accountability easy.
7. REWORK YOUR BRAIN
Every great idea starts with a thought. Then another. MindNode helps you to become more organized by focusing your thoughts, capturing your thoughts, creating a clear picture of your ideas, and gaining clarity on what needs to be done next. MindNode lets you customize visual tags and templates to suit your needs, and you can easily share your documents with others.
MEET THE EXPERT:
Sharleen Smith is the Director of Continuing Education and Outreach of Troy University. She has more than 30 years of experience in organizational consulting and training. Her training includes more than 250 topics, and she has presented to more than 300,000 people at 15,000 conferences, workshops and seminars.
