Productivity. It’s what separates the contemplators from the doers, and turns plans into action. However, the fact of the matter is that there are constantly things that draw our attention away from the task at hand, and we especially tend to waste time with menial things more than we’d like.
If you’ve ever thought, “there must be an easier way to do this”, you’re exactly right. There’s a vast array of apps that make it easier to get things done more quickly – here are eight that you need to download today.
1. Trello
If you feel like you need to bring order to your plans without having to switch to the traditional pen-and-paper way of organising yourself, Trello is the virtual bulletin board you’ve been looking for. Use “do”, “doing” and “done” boards to keep track of tasks, or use one of the handy kanban board to brainstorm your next big idea. Download Trello for Android or iOS.
2. Toggl
Do you often find yourself asking where all the day’s time went? Toggl is an app that helps to track the time you spend on specific projects. A built-in Pomodoro timer lets you allocate time for specific tasks, and the mobile app allows you to log the time you spend, even when you’re on the go. The free version is perfect for small organisations of up to five users. Toggl is available for iOS and Android.
3. Todoist
This is the equivalent of a fitness tracker for productivity, and it’s set to revolutionise the way you spend your workday. It gives you a round up of how productive your day has been and even features a personal Todoist Karma score, which you are encouraged to push higher (not unlike the step counter on your phone). Download Todoist for iOS and Android, and watch your productivity go through the roof.
4. Google Drive
Things are so much easier when everything you need is stored in a central location. Add seamless integration with some of the most popular apps on the web to that, and Google Drive is the easiest way to store and edit important documents. The free version of the app allows for 15GB of storage in the cloud, and the app is available for Android and iOS.
5. HelloSign
In the age of the internet, signing in lost its original meaning a long time ago, but that doesn’t mean that you won’t still find it necessary to actually sign something by hand. HelloSign simplifies the process significantly. Instead of having to print a document, sign it, scan it and send it where it needs to go (or print it again – Mother Nature weeps!) all you have to do is use your mobile phone or tablet to draw your signature, save it, and use it when you need it. This app is integrated with Google Drive (along with many other popular applications) too, so you won’t even have to download a document from your cloud storage to sign it.
6. Scanbot
For many of us typical office appliances aren’t readily available. Need a scanner? You’ll have to go down to the stationery and printing shop in the mall. With Scanbot, all that hassle is a thing of the past. Simply download it, and use your phone’s camera to get a clean scan, even if you’re not holding it completely level. Integration means you can easily save scanned documents directly to Google Drive. Download Scanbot for iOS and Android.
7. LastPass
Everybody knows it isn’t safe to use the same password for every platform. If you’re being really careful, you’re also taking care to change your passwords once every often. But who can remember all of them on a whim? LastPass securely stores all your passwords, which means that you’ll spend less time running through an ever-changing list, just to have to reset your password again (and forget it as soon as you’ve changed it). LastPass is available for Android and iOS.
8. CloudConvert
Is there anything more frustrating than receiving a document or file that you can’t open? CloudConvert lets you convert any type of file to anything else, and we’re not joking. From common PDF files or .doc files, to Adobe .psd files or AutoCAD .dwg files, this is the quickest and easiest way to convert files for free. Use CloudConvert on the web or download it for iOS.