Productivity Apps to Keep You in the Flow
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Well wouldn’t you know it, we’ve got another great guest post from Julie Morris.
I don’t think I’m alone in admitting this, but I am one highly distractible human being. It takes very little to get me off of whatever I was doing onto something else, especially when working on my computer or phone. And this is from a guy who uses very little social media. Honestly, I don’t know how the rest of the world even functions these days.
Thankfully, Julie is here to the rescue with some really solid apps to keep you on the task at hand. I’ve personally tried some of these myself and can attest to their usefulness.
If you’d like to know more about Julie, check out her site here: JulieMorris.org
And that’s enough distraction from me, let’s jump right to the post!
4 Productivity Apps That Will Help You Stay in Flow
Distractions are everywhere today, and the same technology that helps you reach new heights can hinder you when trying to focus. Studies show that it can take over 23 minutes to refocus after a diversion pops up. This notification overload is apparent to computer and phone companies, too, as they are beginning to create do-not-disturb features that let you concentrate on one task at a time. These features can be helpful, but they don’t yet tackle all of the problems modern workers and creatives face. Here are four apps that can help fill the gaps.
1. Undisturbed (Mac only)
The do-not-disturb feature on Apple computers and phones is great for keeping pesky notifications at bay. However, on the computer, the feature doesn’t get rid of the badges that pop up on emails and texts. Undisturbed seeks to remedy that issue by turning them off and on with the click of one button. Otherwise, your only option is going into your settings and turning badges off individually for each application before you start working and turning them back on again afterward.
2. Trello
Trello is an innovative task-management software that you can use alone or with collaborators. You can create project-specific boards or have multiple lists that tackle different areas of work. Trello is helpful to keep open when you need to write down tasks that come to mind without sending an email or opening up another bothersome app. In addition, you can assign tasks to others when necessary so they can begin working on them whenever they have time. You can also add notes and deadlines and use many other free features that make the app completely functional without paying for the pro version.
3. Pomodoro (Focus Timer)
You may need to retrain your brain to focus for more extended periods. The Pomodoro technique is perfect for this, as you work for dedicated periods with short breaks. The classic version uses 25-minute work segments followed by a 5-minute break. After four work segments, you take a longer 15- to 30-minute break. If you like to work in long time chunks, you can up your work time to 50 minutes and your breaks to 10 minutes. Using a Pomodoro app does all of the work for you instead of repeatedly setting a timer on your phone. This app and many others also offer great features like relaxing background sounds and dark mode.
4. Later
Later is a social media scheduler that lets you upload posts with captions and post them automatically at your chosen time. Scheduling posts in batches can save you a lot of time in the long run and keep your day interruption-free so you can concentrate on what matters. You can also arrange a preview of how future posts will look together in your feed so you can achieve the right look.
Using Instagram for your business is essential for reaching customers and building a community around your products and services. However, to upload your photos onto Instagram, you need to make sure they fit the size requirements. Ever wonder how to quickly resize image for Instagram? With an online resizing tool, you can do this quickly and easily. You can also download the resized picture if you want.
With the help of the apps above, you can work on what matters most each day. You will begin to feel the peace that comes with working in flow and getting the big tasks done first.