Four apps to boost productivity and regain balance
[This post is not sponsored and does not contain any paid endorsements]
I must have read umpteen advice articles on how to strike a decent work-life balance and 'maintain productivity even as a mother'.
NONE of those gave me any ideas I could actually use.
I began to think something was wrong with me. Everyone was able to use these tips and distract their children while they blocked out hours to work and ensure that their output was the same as any other (non-primary-caregiver-parent) person.
But then I started to think that maybe the problem was the way we're conditioned to think of productivity. I began to shift towards a more understanding, empathetic view of productivity. Once I started working for myself, I promised myself that I wouldn't be part of the rat race. Instead, I would focus on long-term productivity by letting go of stress, spending at least 30 minutes a day reading, a few more unwinding with good TV, and by taking the time out to create and nurture healthy habits.
In between being there for my two-under-fives, taking a new business off the ground, and running a functioning household, it seemed impossible. It wasn't easy to shift from my usual short-term productivity expectations to make what was essentially a lifestyle change – no more late nights, stress eating, irregular schedules or stretching myself thin. All the anxiety, guilt and burnout I had experienced with my short-sighted 'hustling' were excellent teachers, though, along with some great books (another day, another post). I remind myself every morning that I don't have to systematically destroy my mental and physical health for the sake of productivity.
Here are a few of the great apps and tools that are helping me make the shift to better life balance, health and smart working.
'Forest' for Focus Time
Lovely design and interface. This app grows a (virtual) plant within a time that you set – as long as you don't disturb it by getting distracted from your task! I usually work in the early morning hours when the kids are asleep, and an app that helps me concentrate and keeps distractions away help me make the most of those peaceful few hours.
As a working mother, my mind is a battleground bombarded with a hundred tiny to-do missiles, mom-guilt shells and household-chore cannonballs. Forest helps me shut myself up in a fortress of calm and focus and also gifts me pretty plants. Win-win!
'OneNote' for Note-taking and List-making
I love this as I can divide and conquer my tasks, clients, jobs, meal prep, research – pretty much anything. There are no unnecessary features (I detest clutter in any form), and it's easy to use, plus it syncs to iCloud with my Microsoft 365 subscription.
I create one notebook per client. Within that notebook, I create sections for each job. In every section, I create individual pages for research, structure, contacts, an idea bank and so on.
I love writing notes by hand, but this is faster, and I can also upload screenshots and images – which saves me a load of time.
Organising your notes is critical to finding what you need when you need it, consolidating research, maximising efficiency, and remembering important details. Plus the mobile app for OneNote is easy to use as well, so I always have my notepad handy.
'Sleepytime' to Sleep Well
Take this from someone who went 15 months straight without enough sleep – you MUST rest your body and mind, and sleep is so, so good for you.
Here's the science: we sleep in cycles that last from around 90 minutes to 2 hours. Waking up at the wrong time in a cycle can give you that feeling of 'I didn't sleep enough,' whereas waking up at the right time can have you feeling refreshed and rested.
A sleep cycle app like Sleepytime tells you when you should wake up and how many hours of sleep is right for you. Since I like an early start to my day, knowing when to wake up so that I have that wide-awake feeling is excellent motivation to make it out of bed.
I truly believe one must work hard and smart to achieve anything – but I also learnt the hard way that if you don't take good care of yourself, you WILL burn out and that's like taking five steps backwards. Nobody wants that.
'Pocket' and my Kindle for Reading
I love newspapers. I adore magazines. I would go to the ends of the earth for a good paperback. But you know what? I have two children under 5, a house to run, and a business to look after. So, I made the switch to electronic reading, and as soon as I did, I realised I could read more!
With my e-reader and news on my mobile, I don't need to hide away in a broom cupboard for a few uninterrupted hours or make the time to visit a store if I want to read. As soon as I put the kids to bed, I spend about an hour reading news and views on Pocket or a book on my Kindle. I feel like I've reclaimed some of my life back after a day of madness.
But why is this on the list? Because reading and learning expands your knowledge and boosts creativity. I use Pocket to save articles for later, as well as find new ones to read, and I love their recommendations.
Reading is a long-term investment in your productivity and creativity, and it pays off spectacularly.
It's time we revisit the discourse on productivity and make it more far-sighted, holistic, empathetic and broader than the confines of our careers. What are your favourite tools to balance your life? Let me and the world know in the comments.