Image via Complex Original
The average American spends the 8-hour workday preoccupied in special interests, mainly on his or her mobile device. Browsing through Instagram, messaging friends, online window shopping, and surfing the Web—basically all the vilified things you could possibly indulge in when working a 9-to-5. But no person should be a slave to his or her impulses. They say organization inspires efficiency. And with the smartphone landscape constantly evolving, we’re constantly gaining access to new digital services designed for increasing our work rate. So before you ride into the office, boost your performance by checking out these 10 Apps That Will Help Manage Your Daily Workload. Better yet, they’re all free.
Any.do
With the ability to tackle reoccurring tasks, plus timed and location-based reminders, this daily management app serves as an elite to-do solution. Handle multiple duties through the Any.do Moment feature, which previews remaining assignments and sets up notifications for significant events. It can even be installed as a Chrome browser add-on.
Wunderlist
Platforms: iOS, Android
An elegant design combined with a robust feature set, you would swear we were talking about a car. Guess again. Wunderlist relieves the pressures of adding more work to an already busy schedule. With a simple tap, you can manage and set recurring tasks, as well as add a few extra through an email client or Google Now. The latest version is optimized for iOS 8 and supports a dynamic widget that delivers daily tasks on the Today screen.
Google Keep
Platform: Android
They say a great to-do app is one developed for easy use. Google Keep embodies that mantra. Made available on mobile and web platforms, this synching notepad program works in unison with some of Google’s other services. Create voice notes, devise checklists, manage images, and store all other text documents in the cloud for instant access.
Sunrise Calendar
Platforms: iOS, Android
Calendar apps can become a driving force for productivity. Sunrise Calendar integrates with several other popular apps such as Evernote, Facebook, Foursquare, and TripIt to tackle all personal tasks. Many of the intuitive attributes found here, such as creating smart icons for changed events and weather indicators, add to its attractive and seamless interface. All social elements (birthdays, contacts, etc.) are imported into the app as well.
Asana
The collaborative task-management program makes working remotely with others a breeze through its efficiently useable setup. Assign and tackle duties directly from the app, plus monitor progress or pick up another teammate’s slack by providing updates on specific projects in real time. Alerts, badges, and push notifications are present to remind users of due items, which can be reassigned on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.
Todolist
Todolist is the most robust of the batch in terms of compatibility and services. It supports everything including Chrome, Firefox, Gmail, Outlook, Thunderbird, and more. Feature-wise, there are sub-tasks and dependencies for prioritizing work, as well as the option to set projects to accommodate checklists. Not to mention that its email inbox-type layout makes the app one of the more user-friendly ones out.
HabitRPG
Platforms: iOS, Android
It has been said that video games help relieve stress. Well, this unique app transforms your work into a game by incorporating role-playing elements into everyday tasks. Fight off enemies while earning upgrades and leveling up characters by simply completing tasks. It’s probably the most engaging and intriguing way to boost work productivity.
Cal
Platforms: iOS, Android
Developed by the same team behind Any.do, this scheduler does an amazing job of filling in your free time in between events. So when those dry work spells occur at the desk, you can plan ahead and place any aspiring chores in there. Synchronization to Google Calendar, Exchange, iCloud, and yes, Any.do keeps, users up to date with their duties.
RescueTime
Platform: Android
Most of us spend more time interacting with digital distractions than we do working. The question is how much of it are we reserving for Facebook, Instagram, and text messaging? RescueTime monitors the time spent on these platforms, while identifying your biggest interrupter. The service shoots out alerts for when too much time is spent on recreational activities, bringing you back to reality for the more important things at hand.
Hall
Platform: iOS
Communication is key when you’re locked into collaborative efforts. Viewed as a “social intranet” for businesses, Hall pushes daily productivity through mobile use by offering integration to numerous other services (Dropbox, Github, etc.) and group-chatting sessions. In addition, the app syncs across all major platforms for remote access to continue conversations and product development.