Are you already starting to feel overwhelmed by the pace of 2020? Here are four tools to help keep you keep committed, on track and productive this year.

 

As we end the first full week of 2020, it would be no surprise if you are already feeling the pressure of trying to find ways to maximise your time, in order to ensure that you do all the things that would like to, to need to do. However, in order to do so, we might need some help:

  • For new habits we would like to develop, frequently, we lack the discipline.
  • In order to be more productive, we need to free up our time by identifying tools to which we can delegate specific tasks.
  • From ideation to planning, we may be able to benefit from tools that provide a means of structuring and documenting that process.

Hence, in order to get on the right footing, we have identified four innovative software applications to help you be the most organised, productive and creative version of yourself this year

 

Beeminder

Looking for a virtual accountability partner? There is an app for that.

Beeminder uses self-tracking and monetary incentives to help you stick to your goals. In a nutshell, you first set a goal, ideally something that is quantifiable or can be graphed, and then you make a pledge – of actual money – to keep on track. Thereafter, you will either report to Beeminder on a regular basis, or allow Beeminder collect data directly from the dozens of apps with which it can be linked, in order to track your progress. In the event you are off track with respect to your goal, you pay your pledge.

Platforms: Android; iOS

Price:  Free; Paid plans available

 

Habitica

Habits are born out of consistent behaviour executed over time. Habitica is a habit-building and productivity app that treats your life as a game. It tracks your habits and goals (which can be categorized with respect to health, to-dos, dailies, to name a few), and rewards you (or punishes you) depending on whether you are consistent in your habits and achieving your goals. The graphics are not as sophisticated as many of the popular games on the market, but its objective is to make completing tasks fun whilst incentivizing you through gaming principles.

Platforms:  Online; Android; iOS

Price:  Free; Paid group plans available

 

MindMeister

When planning a project in your personal life, or brainstorming in the workplace, it is important to have a method through which to logically manage the process and capture pertinent information. Using the mind mapping approach, MindMeister allows its users to organize, prioritize, and even generate new thoughts and ideas. MindMeister is browser-based,  but it also has mobile apps that seamlessly syncs with your online account. Mind maps can also be shared – for real-time collaboration with friends or colleagues.

Platforms: Online; Android; iOS

Price:  Free; Paid plans available

 

Otter

From time to time, in the business world, it is necessary to record discussions or meetings in order to generate meeting notes, transcribe minutes or inform a report. Typically, and in order to do so well, someone (possibly you or a dedicated resource) would be required to make the necessary notes, but it tends to mean that person will be somewhat preoccupied with making the notes, and not be able to participate fully in the discussions at hand.

Using audio-to-text functionality and artificial intelligence, Otter records and creates meeting notes in real time, thus allowing all of the meeting participants to be fully engaged in the discussions. The notes created, which can include  text, audio, images, speaker ID, and key phrases, are searchable and shareable, so within minutes after the meeting has concluded, they can be shared with attendees for their record and/or follow-up action.

Platforms:  Online; app (Android and iOS)

Price:  Free (for 600 transcription minutes); Paid plans available

 

 

Image credits:  Gerd Altmann (Pixabay);  Google Play