Technology has gained ubiquity in our lives, to an extent where we cannot imagine surviving without our smartphones. Add to that, the pandemic has reminded us even more about the indispensability of technology in our lives as we shift from face-to-face meetings to Zoom calls.
However, certain old-school souls feel that the tons of apps and digital tools we use at our workplace or home have degraded our skills unbeknownst to us. With these shortcuts in our lives, humans have supposedly become a lot less productive.
Have digital tools affected our productivity negatively or vice versa?
The debate here is like walking on a tight rope – one wrong step, and we might be in the trenches. Wondering why? That is because too many digital tools CAN hamper productivity. Over-reliance on certain digital tools can make us less creative or affect our efficiency levels.
However, digital tools can go beyond being shortcuts and make you more productive if you know where to stop. Here’s how:
Making communication easier
The Covid 19 crisis made us search frantically for digital tools that allow seamless communication. With every one of us limited to our homes due to social distancing norms, digital apps such as Zoom, Skype, Facetime, and Google Meet have helped millions communicate with others across the globe.
With easy and instant communication, organisations and individuals could continue with their operations, thus improving productivity.
Saves quality time
Imagine proofreading a novel manuscript manually! Can you imagine the colossal waste of time that you could invest somewhere else? Using digital toolssuch asonlineproofreading apps, plagiarism checkers, andcontent enhancers on homework help us avoid particular manual and mundane tasks, albeit not skipping them.
Tools such as Grammarly and CopyScape have made employees in the publication sector more creative and productive.
Made us more creative
It is a simple equation – when your mind is free from monotonous tasks, you are at your creative best. In today’s fast-paced world, digital tools give you a creative breather by taking care of some of your tasks and responsibilities. When you know that a particular digital tool or software can manage the taxes or tally the accounting books, you can use the time to come up with creative strategies for an organisation.
That brings us to the question – Which digital tools to use to optimise time and effort?
7 Digital Tools For Better Productivity and Time Management
Below is a list of 7 digital tools that will help you be at your productive best, irrespective of whether you are a professional or not or the sector you work in. Here you go!
Beeminder
This motivation tool helps users set measurable goals and track their progress towards meeting their targets.
For example, if you have decided to reduce your screen time, you can set a limit on the app. And the app will remind you when you have exhausted the time limit while surfing through social media or Netflix-ing. This tool is an excellent addition to your phone’s memory if you want to stay focused on a goal and minimise distractions.
Toggl
Toggl is an online time tracking software that you can use for FREE. So, that’s a double bonanza for you – zero cost and zero waste of time.
You can use Toggl to track the time spent on different menial tasks, like creating presentations, typing an email, going through a report. You can then review whether you have spent your time wisely or not. Install it on your computer, tablet and phone to track how many hours you have devoted to a specific project.
Evernote
Whether you are a student, a professional or a homemaker, Evernote is the ultimate organising app that you need to be more productive in life.
Add things you have to do in a day to a to-do list, create a grocery list before visiting the departmental store or set reminders about bill payments. You can even customise notes on the app to remember important events.
Todoist
Todoist is a cross-platform project management solution that businesses can use to exchange lists and loop other people working on a project. You can use the free version. However, you can go for the premium version costing $36 per year for more enhanced features.
Todoist can minimise the miscommunication among team members working remotely from their homes. Since the tool supports uploading and downloading reports, you can be sure that no step in a project is done twice or missed altogether.
Freedom – Block Distractions
While many say that digitalisation is the primary cause of distraction, Freedom does exactly the opposite. This digital solution blocks distractions of all forms – from incessant social media notifications to annoying pop-up ads. The tool is compatible with all devices like Windows PC, Android phone, iPhone, etc.
All you have to do is set the sites you want to block, and the app will enforce it across all the devices you use. You can even set time limits to unblock the apps automatically after your work hours.
Noizio
Music is the best remedy to stay productive. That said, not all music is suitable while studying or working. You certainly cannot listen to Bohemian Rhapsody and keep away from the urge of crooning along with the nonsensical lyrics in one breath. You need the right music to set the mood – nothing too loud, nothing too soft to doze you off.
This is where Noizio, a minimalistic sound equaliser, comes in. The app charts out relaxing music so that you can tune out stressful thoughts and be more productive.
IFTTT
An abbreviation for “If This Then That”, IFTTT is a free digital service that helps users automate regular internet tasks to save time.
For example, you can use the tool to back up media files to your cloud account, send emails to co-workers or friends, and more. The tool comes with pre-built programs that perform single or multiple functions like sending follow-up emails, syncing files to the Cloud and such trivial yet crucial jobs, thus saving your time.
Endnote,
Whether digital tools make you productive or slacken your efforts depends on how you use the digital tools. The onus lies with you – whether you want to use digital tools to maximise time or just minimise your effort.
Moreover, you need to remember that a work-life balance is imperative for our mental and physical well-being. So, using automation moderately to organise our life will do no harm.
So, use the right digital tools to prevent yourself from having a burnout and, instead, find more time for yourself.
Author Bio: olaila lees is a human resource manager working with the dissertation help and cheap essay writing service brand MyAssignmenthelp.com. She now spends his days conjuring articles and blogs for the UK’s biggest assignment help service.
