In a previous post, I discussed how productivity or social expectation of it has been severely affected in 2020. It can be impossible to get to work when things have not turned out the way you imagined them to be.

So when I needed to reassess my work and productivity levels, I decided to do the most millennial and basic thing you can ever imagine. I downloaded some productivity apps that pushed me and definitely helped me to plan my day better and get more out of it.

Here’s a quick list of the best productivity apps of 2020 and why you should get them.

Evernote- A very popular and efficient app, Evernote is great for organizing notes, planning your day or schedule, and listing tasks. You can add photos, draw sketches, record audio, and work on PDFs. It also allows you to sync your notes across various devices. Many students use it for taking notes in classes or lectures. I personally find it handy during meetings or workshops to note links, names or scribble down ideas for my research.

Forest- Do you have the attention span of a goldfish? Do you find it really easy to get distracted on your phone? Forest is the perfect app for you. The app costs $1.99 but it is really effective at reducing distractions and encouraging you to work. So, you plant a seed when you are ready to get to work and then set a timer. If you exit the app before your time is up or use your phone, the tree dies. If you stick to your task and stay focused, the tree grows. They have also partnered with Trees of the Future to plant actual trees for their members so you are helping the planet and helping yourself!

Freedom- Instagram is the biggest distraction for me. I find I can spend hours browsing that site and other social media platforms. So, I needed something more powerful than the Screen limit settings of an iPhone. Freedom blocks distracting and time-consuming websites and platforms so you can retain focus. You can personalize the sites that you want to block or customize a list of platforms or even block the entire access to the Internet till you finish your work.

Serene- A macOS application, Serene is custom-designed for freelancers, students, and professionals who need help getting organized and improving their focus. For $49 a year, you can access a unique approach that is guaranteed to build your productivity and boost your organizational skills. Serene lets you set a SINGLE goal for each day and then break it down into several tasks. The purpose of this is to direct your focus towards that particular goal and not let yourself distracted by other items or tasks that divert your attention from your goal of the day. You can work in timed sessions and take a short break in between for each one. It has amazing features like-

• Website blocker
• Phone silencer
• Focus music
• Session timer
• Distraction free sessions
• Day planner
• To do lists

Todoist-Todoist is a task management tool that simplifies your complicated or complex to-do lists. It streamlines your tasks, sets deadlines, and manages your projects by breaking it down in smaller goals and items. The measurement and report feature is amazing to assess your growth or performance and understand your weaknesses. It is also sleek and a cross-platform software that makes it very easy to use and adapt in your daily working life. You can get the free version or the premium versions available for $3 and $5 a month.

What do you do to stay organized and focused? Are there any apps you would recommend? Do leave a suggestion or comment below.