Fall's Must Have Apps to Boost Productivity

Sep. 28

Fall is a strange season: it’s the beginning of a school year for students, but sort of a last stretch nearing the end of the year for professionals. Especially with festivities like Thanksgiving and Christmas taking place, we could all use a boost in efficiency to help us keep on the grind. Luckily, there are plenty of helpful apps available at our fingertips – each of them designed to enhance the way we carry out (seemingly) mundane tasks. With today’s advanced swipe features, syncing abilities and snazzy interface, apps can spice up everyday routine into something effortless and enjoyable. Be on the ball all throughout this chilly season with these eight handy tools that will help you female entrepreneurs save you time and hassle.

Sync with your priority tasks: Sunsama
If you’re like me, you block out chunks of time in your calendar to get the important stuff done. But that stuff doesn’t get synced to your to-do list, or now it does. With Sunsama, you can be a to-do list pro and feel accomplished without the overwhelm.
Plant a tree with your focus: Forest
Do the ding dings and the red notifications make you salivate? Well, this app may deter you from seeing what’s up on Instagram because with every ounce of effort to avoid the screen, you plant a tree! Plant a seed when you're ready to get to work, then set a timer. If you stick to the task, your tree grows. And you can easily kill that try if you exit the app during that time. Don’t be a tree killer! Bonus: Forest has partnered with Trees of the Future to plant real trees! So you can be productive and a tree-saver for only $1.99
Organize the ultimate contact list: ContactZilla
If your contact list is the foundation of your business, then ContactZilla is a must: this easy-to-use software syncs all your contacts from multiple platforms into one simple master list. Putting together a database of contacts can be a headache, especially if you’ve got thousands scattered over various social media outlets belonging to multiple team members; but ContactZilla’s automated integration and update system does all the work for you.
Hire (or download) a personal assistant: Any.Do
Let your phone be your personal assistant with Any.Do – this calendar app will have your plans laid out down to a tee. Think iCalendar, but souped up with features like integrated maps and shortcut email or text buttons. This interactive system even scans your contact list to indicate who you’re meeting up with.
Simplify each chore and make it a cinch: TeuxDeux
Sometimes, all you need is a simple to-do list that lays it all out for you. TeuxDeux flaunts a minimalist design that makes each chore just another item waiting to be crossed off. The newbie-friendly system is as “simple as paper” – except this digital system detects keywords like “every day” and stores them as recurring events for you, so you’ll never have to rewrite it yourself.
Walkie Talkie your memo’s to yourself: Voxer
I have seen people using this app in the most interesting ways, but for me, it’s twofold: 1. I coach my clients and 2. I send myself a voice memo. Simply download the app, then click on ‘My Notes” and either type or record your own reminders, ideas, or brain dumps.
Steer clear of boring lists: Clear
Who says lists have to be boring to create or look at? The Clear app is probably the most aesthetically engaging list-keeper on the market, with its gradient colors, creative themes, and interactive swiping commands. Infusing some color and fun into things could actually boost your productivity; it could encourage you to open up your to-do lists with a positive attitude!