{"id":109887,"date":"2018-10-18T03:43:43","date_gmt":"2018-10-18T01:43:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sftarticles.wpenginepowered.com\/en\/?p=109887"},"modified":"2025-07-01T22:52:46","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T05:52:46","slug":"these-are-the-best-apps-and-online-tools-to-stay-focused-and-be-more-productive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/these-are-the-best-apps-and-online-tools-to-stay-focused-and-be-more-productive\/","title":{"rendered":"These are the best apps and online tools to stay focused and be more productive"},"content":{"rendered":"

Staying focused in a constant struggle. We all deal with a million emails and sound privacy is at an all-time low.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s no wonder many of us feel that our days can spiral out of control. When that happens, we often trick ourselves working on low-priority tasks or worse, wasting time watching YouTube videos<\/a> and shopping online.<\/p>\n

So, how do you regain control and start getting more done? It\u2019s not an easy question to answer. But, below, we\u2019ll look at some productivity tips you can pick, choose, and adjust to your liking.<\/p>\n

How to focus<\/h2>\n

Set the scene for quality work<\/h3>\n

\"focus\"<\/p>\n

Our workplaces dictate our ability to produce quality work. When you try to get things done in a noisy, cluttered location, the results can be, well, frustrating.<\/p>\n

A few ways you can set the tone for success:<\/p>\n

Identify where you lose the most time<\/h3>\n

We all have our go-to sources of distractions.<\/p>\n

Be it reading a certain blog or cruising social media, or scrolling through your phone\u2019s newsfeed, you need to identify the sources that keep you from accomplishing tasks.<\/p>\n

Start by trying to change one of your worst time management habits. Allow yourself to check social media during lunchtime\u2014maybe that’s your boundary. Implementing a small change toward better self-control will likely help you make more changes.<\/strong><\/p>\n

If this is harder than anticipated, add a distraction-blocking app. Self-Control<\/a>, Anti-Social<\/a>, and Freedom are all great options.<\/p>\n

\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n \"Self-Control\r\n <\/div>\r\n
\r\n Self-Control <\/span>\r\n Download Free \u25ba<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
\r\n <\/path><\/path>8<\/text><\/svg>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
\r\n <\/span>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
\r\n \r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n \"Freedom\"\r\n <\/div>\r\n
\r\n Freedom<\/span>\r\n Download Free \u25ba<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
\r\n <\/path><\/path>7<\/text><\/svg>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
\r\n <\/span>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
\r\n \r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n

Organize your workstation<\/h3>\n

Too much stuff in the way can be a really big distraction. Staying focused at work means both mind and physical space need some clarity\u2014a little breathing room if you will.<\/p>\n

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\r\n \r\n <\/div>\r\n
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5 best apps to get organized<\/p>\r\n Read Now \u25ba<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n

Throw away the old coffee cups and wrappers and just stick to what you need. Think\u2014computer, a good pen, your favorite notepad. Everything else should be put into drawers or filed accordingly.<\/p>\n

The second part of this is organizing your computer space, as well. Set up shortcuts for all programs you use on a regular basis.<\/p>\n

Clean up your inbox<\/h3>\n

\"email\"<\/p>\n

Chance are, you spend a lot of time inside your inbox. While inbox zero is a noble goal, it\u2019s not always possible\u2014or worth chasing. Still, it\u2019s a good idea to apply labels and folders so items are easy to find and out of the way.<\/p>\n

Set boundaries<\/h3>\n

This is a tough one for a lot of people. Clients, bosses, and friends and family can pile extra to-dos on you that hinder your productivity.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s important to get better at communicating when you are busy\u2014and say no to things that are bound to stress you out.<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re a procrastinator<\/h2>\n

Procrastination is the worst. Some of us are chronic procrastinators, forever struggling with deadlines, while others need a little more in the way of accountability.<\/p>\n

To combat your worst habit, here are some suggestions that will help you get ahead of all those looming to-dos.<\/p>\n

Find someone to keep you accountable<\/h3>\n

\"procrastination\"<\/p>\n

An accountability partner can be a real gift to the chronic procrastinator. This could be a colleague, friend, or manager, but this person\u2019s role is to check in to make sure you\u2019re hitting the milestones needed to complete your project.<\/p>\n

Some procrastinators find that implementing a system of rewards or punishments can motivate them to stick to deadlines.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re self-employed, accountability partners can come in the form of other freelancers, or through an app like Forest, which works like a modern Pomodoro approach.<\/p>\n

\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n \"Forest\"\r\n <\/div>\r\n
\r\n Forest<\/span>\r\n Download Free<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
\r\n <\/path><\/path>10<\/text><\/svg>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
\r\n <\/span>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
\r\n \r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n

With Forest, there\u2019s a group mode\u2014both parties avoid looking at their phone to grow a digital forest. If one. Party slips up, both lose their progress.<\/p>\n

To-do lists<\/h3>\n

To-do lists are one of the most basic elements of managing tasks. As old as time, these low-tech lists hold you accountable and can help you remember everything on your list.<\/p>\n

To-do list tips<\/h4>\n

Make your to-do list entries short, realistic, and specific.<\/strong> A list that never ends is just going to stress you out.<\/p>\n

So, make lists that include a doable amount of tasks for the day\u2014things like “email new client about an upcoming project” or “edit presentation content” work better than vague items like “finish project.”<\/p>\n

At the end of each day, write down 5-10 items for the next day. This will help you start the new day with a clear sense of what to do.<\/p>\n

Some people like keeping lists on paper and enjoy the satisfaction of crossing off each item when they complete a task. Others like organizing their thoughts digitally.<\/p>\n

Apps that keep track of everything for you<\/h4>\n

\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n \"Todoist\"\r\n <\/div>\r\n
\r\n Todoist<\/span>\r\n Download Free<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
\r\n <\/path><\/path>10<\/text><\/svg>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
\r\n <\/span>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
\r\n \r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/p>\n

\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n \"Wunderlist\"\r\n <\/div>\r\n
\r\n Wunderlist<\/span>\r\n Download Free<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
\r\n <\/path><\/path>9<\/text><\/svg>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
\r\n <\/span>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
\r\n \r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/p>\n

\r\n
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\r\n
\r\n \"Evernote\"\r\n <\/div>\r\n
\r\n Evernote<\/span>\r\n Download Free<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
\r\n <\/path><\/path>6<\/text><\/svg>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
\r\n <\/span>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
\r\n \r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/p>\n

\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n \"Habitica\"\r\n <\/div>\r\n
\r\n Habitica<\/span>\r\n Download Free<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
\r\n <\/path><\/path>8<\/text><\/svg>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
\r\n <\/span>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
\r\n \r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/p>\n

Stop multi-tasking<\/h3>\n

Here\u2019s the thing. All of us like to say we\u2019re great at multitasking. In fact, we\u2019ve probably listed this quality on many a job application.<\/p>\n

Almost no one is actually good at multitasking.<\/strong> Each time we shift between tasks, our brains need a bit of time to adjust to the new task. As such, you\u2019re losing time when you work all over the place.<\/p>\n

Because today’s culture expects us to change focus\u2014answering emails and texts to reading and solving problems, it\u2019s hard to get high-quality work done.<\/p>\n

So if you\u2019re working on an article or a report, do that one task and see it through, from start to finish. Set little goals for yourself to avoid temptation. Eat lunch after you\u2019ve completed your report, check email when you\u2019ve edited your article, and so on.<\/p>\n

Beyond that, here are a few things you can implement for better time management.<\/p>\n

How to manage your time<\/h2>\n

Schedule times for email<\/h3>\n

\"working\"<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, most of us don\u2019t feel that we have the luxury to check email once a day. Our recommendation is scheduling 2-3 times that you answer everything in the inbox.<\/p>\n

Check in at the beginning of the day, again around lunchtime, and finally one last time before you wrap things up. It sounds simple, but every time you check in to respond to one email at a time, you\u2019re losing time.<\/p>\n

Try using the Pomodoro Technique<\/h3>\n

Alright, this might be some of the most basic advice you\u2019ll get for being productive, but there\u2019s a reason Pomodoro persists. Pomodoro was developed in the 1980s as a way to break work into short intervals separated by short breaks.<\/strong> The method works like this:<\/p>\n