Getting Things Done: Apps to Improve One’s Time Management and Productivity

Being healthier and more financially secure are not the only common New Year’s resolutions. For many, being more productive is also right at the top of the list.

Many YouTube channels feature odd videos like someone filming themselves performing a useless task such as watching paint dry, sitting in a closet for 24 hours straight, or doing nothing for hours on end. Which, I guess, must be watched by other people with nothing to do either? For most of us, however, accomplishing necessary tasks in a timely manner is an inescapable part of life.

Productivity isn’t always easy. People’s minds wander. Distractions pull our focus away. Procrastination sings its siren’s song.

Be not afraid. There’s probably an app to help one overcome whatever it is keeping one from being as productive as he or she can be.

Noise

Anyone who has ever had to sneeze — or faked a sneeze — while watching someone play golf has probably been shushed.

Only studies have shown that some noise can actually improve one’s concentration. It’s surprising how many productivity apps focus on sound.

Coffitivity streams the sound of a coffee show to your device so you can have a coffee shop without actually going to one. If one prefers a more personalized sound environment, Nosili allows one to mix and match sounds of rain, white noise, and yes, a coffee shop to create the custom blend best able to inspire your creativity. A Soft Murmur also allows users to create custom sound environments.

Binaural takes a more scientific approach with binaural beats that are played at different frequencies in each ear. The result is supposed to help listeners improve their concentration. Binaural beats are also used to treat people with trauma, stress, and anxiety. Brain.fm uses AI-generated music that supposedly will influence brain activity.

So next time a golfing buddy gets mad a misplaced cough broke his concentration, just use one of these apps as proof that noise can improve concentration, and you were only trying to help.

Really. It had nothing to do with him being in the lead.

Carrots

If one prefers a more motivational approach — and has ever dreamed of becoming an arborist — Forest helps improve one’s focus by planting a tree when you’re focused. Unfortunately, if one loses focus, that tree ends up dead. People who concentrate can grow virtual forests representing their productivity. Those who can’t end up with a lot of virtual dead trees. If one prefers tending smaller plants with their concentration, one can use Focus Plant that allows users to grow virtual gardens when they focus.

If one finds horticulture boring, one can always use apps that gamify life to inspire focus. Habitica, SuperBetter, Do It Now, and TaskHammer are some of the apps that use this method to inspire users to be more productive.

One can also download apps that use beautiful scenery and motivational quotes to inspire one to stay on task. Panda Focus Mode and Fabulous both use this approach. Other apps, such as Timewarp and Cold Turkey, monitor one’s time and encourage users away from or block users from sites likely to waste their time.

Sticks

If an actual buddy is the inspiration you need, Focusmate pairs users together for 50-minute video sessions to provide accountability. Some might find a stranger watching them work disturbing, but that might be better than CARROT To-Do that employs rudeness to motivate users. Finish takes a different approach. This app only reminds procrastinators of tasks at the last possible moment so users can panic get-things-done.

Humans are more motivated by the potential to lose than the potential to gain. This is known as “Loss Aversion.” People will feel worse about losing a small amount of money than better by gaining that same amount of money. This is the approach taken by Beeminder. Users put up an amount of money and set a goal. If the user reaches the goal, all is well. If the user fails to reach the goal, the money is forfeited to the company.

While not a complete or even comprehensive list (and some of the apps might now be defunct), it’s certain that there are a lot of apps created to help motivate people to finish things.

If starting and finishing an application, improving your quality assurance, or finding the right technology partner is on your to-do list, we can probably help you get that done! Contact Swan Software Solutions to schedule a free assessment.