{"id":17151,"date":"2015-10-21T20:00:20","date_gmt":"2015-10-22T00:00:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wework.com\/creator\/?p=17151"},"modified":"2020-03-30T23:19:21","modified_gmt":"2020-03-31T03:19:21","slug":"5-crazy-effective-apps-for-helping-you-manage-your-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wework.com\/ideas\/professional-development\/5-crazy-effective-apps-for-helping-you-manage-your-time","title":{"rendered":"Five crazy-effective apps for helping you manage your time"},"content":{"rendered":"

A lot of things vie for our attention these days. For example, I was just captivated (for far too many minutes) by this GIF<\/a> of a cat surprised by a cucumber.<\/p>\n

Thank goodness there are apps out there that will help me track my time, focus my attention, and block out all distractions. I figure if I share them with you, maybe I can shame myself into using them more often.<\/p>\n

1. SelfControl<\/strong><\/p>\n

This one\u2019s desktop-only, but comes in Mac, Windows, and Linux flavors. You can block any website you choose, meaning you won\u2019t go down that digital rabbit hole. I\u2019ve used SelfControl<\/a>, and it\u2019s good. You set the amount of time you want to force yourself to focus, tell it which sites you don\u2019t want to be able to open (Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, LinkedIn, and Gmail are my usual defaults), and you\u2019re done.<\/p>\n

Even if you reboot your computer or delete the application, you can\u2019t open those sites (I\u2019ve tried). Did I mention it\u2019s free? Because it is.<\/p>\n

2. Toggl<\/strong><\/p>\n

One of my biggest problems I face is keeping track of how much time I\u2019m working on any one project. As a freelancer, this can be a big issue when it comes time to submit hours for a project. Toggl<\/a> enables me to track different clients and projects from a website, desktop app, or mobile app. It\u2019s extremely easy to set up, and you literally just have to click a button to start or stop the clock.<\/p>\n

Most individuals can get by with the free version, which even allows teams of up to five members. Larger plans with additional reporting options start at $5 per user per month.<\/p>\n

3. Coffitivity<\/strong><\/p>\n

Some of us have gotten so used to getting work done in caf\u00e9s that the soft murmur of people talking, the clinking of spoons on ceramic mugs, the whirr of the espresso machine, and the clunk of the door closing have become our working soundtrack. If that\u2019s you, you\u2019ll love Coffitivity<\/a>, which will give you that experience wherever you are. You can even layer your own music over the coffee shop sounds if you want.<\/p>\n

Also a free app\u2014the web version offers a few extra caf\u00e9 options for $9 per year. (I wasn\u2019t going to mention it, but I\u2019m using the app right now to get this article done. True story.)<\/p>\n

4. Calm<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you have always meant to start a meditation practice and just never found the time, Calm<\/a> aims to help. I\u2019m not going to say you can necessarily become a regular and deep meditator by using an app, but if there is<\/em> one that can get you there, this is probably it. The app offers \u201c7 days of calm\u201d\u2014a 10-minute per day program to build mindfulness. The web-based app offers various scenes and an accompanying soundtrack (\u201cPlains of Wheat,\u201d with the sound of wind blowing through the stalks, or \u201cPouring Rain,\u201d with the sound of pouring rain, for example). The mobile app offers these, along with guided meditation for whatever length of time you select.<\/p>\n

I got really wrapped up in the \u201cPassing Clouds\u201d scene and music earlier today, which is what helped me get the first half of this piece done. It\u2019s free, but has lots of meditation plans you can purchase if you get really<\/em> into it.<\/p>\n

5. Offtime<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re spending too much time on your mobile device, but can\u2019t seem to break yourself of the habit, Offtime<\/a> might help. The app tracks how much time you\u2019re spending on your smartphone. You set a maximum number of minutes you want to be able to use your device over the course of a day, as well as the maximum number of minutes per session. Then the app tells you when you\u2019re using it too much. Self-shaming is surprisingly effective.<\/p>\n

Free on Android and $2.99 on iOS.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A lot of things vie for our attention these days. For example, I was just captivated (for far too many minutes) by this GIF of a cat surprised by a cucumber. Thank goodness there are apps out there that will help me track my time, focus my attention, and block out all distractions. I figure […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1551,"featured_media":17167,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[43902],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17151","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-professional-development"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nFive crazy-effective apps for helping you manage your time<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"There are apps out there that will help you track your time, focus your attention, and block out all distractions. 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