Each new year brings the perfect opportunity for a fresh start. We set goals, declutter our spaces, and map out a path for the year ahead.
These days, digital productivity tools play a big role in helping us plan, track, and optimize our lives. But with so many options, it can feel overwhelming to choose! As you audit your app drawer, consider these top 8 productivity tools that ClearCom IT team members say they can’t live without.
Work-Related Tools
1. Johnny recommends Obsidian – “an Open-source note-taking tool that allows you to back-link and get a mind map of how your ideas are connected.”
2. Chris suggests Notepad++ and Microsoft Loop – “I absolutely MUST have some kind of canvas to take notes from meetings, calls, follow-ups, etc. It saves me from missing something that needs to get done.”
3. Alex relies on OneNote – “[I love] having all my notes saved in the cloud, easily searchable.”
4. Ryan uses GitHub Copilot – “It’s an AI that helps with writing PowerShell code, among other things, and has saved me a lot of time.”
5. Luis and Max suggest the Windows Snipping Tool – “I use it almost daily, even at home. It enables me to quickly take a screenshot and easily send it to others. You can copy and paste the image or save it to your computer. It also has a built-in editor with a pen/highlighter. It’s free, easy to use, and comes with most versions of Windows.”
Personal Productivity Tools
6. Julia loves TickTick – “This to-do app is my secret to not being a space case – I can create custom recurring tasks & reminders, digital sticky notes, and it has a built-in calendar, habit tracker, Kanban, and Pomodoro timer. The customization is so granular, and I can keep work and personal tasks separate. I’d be lost without it!”
7. Tim votes for Relive – “I 100% cannot live without this. It 3D maps my hikes.”
8. Jillian loves Apple Calendar and Finch, a “cute little productivity app with a chick that hatches.”
⭐ Bonus: Chris reminds us how important the basics are – Email & Microsoft Teams. “Such an excellent way for a quick touchpoint and to get something done. In today’s day and age, for many people it’s a preferred way of communicating because it interrupts them less and allows them to respond at their convenience.”
Whether you’re looking for quick tips to streamline your workflow or tackling long-term goals, starting off with the right productivity tools makes all the difference. Set yourself up for success this year and take your productivity to the next level!
Overwhelmed with IT options? Let our expert team help you build a technology roadmap for the new year! Call 508-892-5555 to get started.
