Apps I Use to Improve My Productivity

Before I even start I just want to say that I am not always the most productive person. I still fall into the TikTok rabbit holes, the Netflix/Disney + binge traps, or the Youtube vortex. (I'm even up late at night right now because I was supposed to write this blog post today but wasted my time watching the new season of All American. Making those sacrifices I talked about a couple posts ago. 🤦🏽‍♂️) I sometimes get upset with myself because I didn't complete some of the tasks that I intended on doing. Which is why utilizing the apps I am about to mention is so crucial.

We all want to accomplish our goals and become the best version of ourselves. Getting there is not going to happen over night. Old habits must die and new ones need to fill in those spaces. Why not start in the place where people spend most of their time nowadays: on their smartphones.

Now, this strategy is a work-in-progress, so as I get older, some tactics may change. However, for now, when I really want to double down and focus on the task at hand, I look at my phone more as a tool than a communication device. In fact, that is how I want you to start viewing your phone. If you start viewing your phone more as a device that can improve your lifestyle you will start using it in that way.

The first app I would like to introduce you to is the Clock app. And the best part about it is that it's already downloaded onto your phone when you first boot it up.

I think this app is the most important app on your phone, when it comes to productivity, because time is invaluable. It's a resource that we cannot get back. Once it's gone, it's gone. With that in mind, we can start utilizing our time more efficiently, starting with this app.

Most people only use the Clock app for the most obvious reason of setting alarms the night before. Or maybe you've used the app to set timers while cooking. Both of those are good uses and things that I do as well, but here is another usage of that app that I have recently discovered.

Whenever I want to focus on a task directly in front of me, I put my phone on Do Not Disturb, set a timer for 25 minutes, and work until that time runs out. Then once it stops I set another timer for 5 minutes. That is when I am free to do whatever I want, whether it be scroll through social media, dance to a song in my room (yes, I do that), or eat a snack. When that five minutes is over, though, I set another 25 minute timer for deeply focused working.

I do about 4 rounds of that or go until I get tired. If the task is not done before I am exhausted, that is okay. I usually make an enormous amount of progress on that particular assignment and I allow myself to rest for the day.

Now, you might be wondering, "I've tried that before and I still can never seem to stay focused." I have a solution for that as well.

I want to introduce you to an iPhone feature that is also built directly into the device: the Hearing feature in the Control Center. The Hearing feature, which is the circled icon in the picture, is a tool that greatly improved my ability to focus.

If you don't see it in your Control Center right now, go to the Settings app, find Control Center, scroll down to find Hearing, and drag that up to the Included Controls section. After doing that you should see that ear icon in your Control Center moving forward.

The reason this feature is so important because not only will it let you know when you are in a very loud environment, but it also has a background noise toggle.

Adding background noise during my focus time was a game-changer for me. Normally, I would listen to music because I love it so much. However, my love for music is so strong that it hinders my ability to focus. Sometimes the music might be so good and my brain will start to pay more attention to that.

With the Hearing feature, I discovered that I can just listen to rainfall. Sounds of nature can really put me in a more focused state. Rain gives me a sense of peace and my brain begins to go to work, right into creativity mode.

I use both the Clock app and the Hearing feature together when I am working on personal projects, writing, applying for jobs, basically anything that requires my undivided attention. Oh! One cool thing that stands out to me is that when you turn on a timer while having the background sounds on, the iPhone will automatically know to turn the sounds off once the timer goes off. Just another small detail that Apple added into their software to make using their devices a little bit more convenient. (Gotta love Apple)

Anyway, there is one more app that I want share with you all. (I promise I won't say the Calendar app, even though that is a good one.)

To the right, you will see the Notion app. This one isn't already built-in to your iPhone, but it should be! This app is slowly changing my life. The more I learn how to use it, the more I keep finding new ways on how I think it can improve my everyday life.

If you don't know what Notion is, this is a notation application. Basically, a glorified notes app. But it definitely deserves the glory. You can do so much more within this app other than just taking notes. You can create charts, calendars, itineraries, graphs, tables, and so much more. Granted, I still don't know what I am doing half the time, but I feel so productive even when I am learning the app.

I have slowly been forcing myself to utilize this app more than the normal Notes app simply because it is a much more organized platform. Right now I currently have my book plans in that app, random content ideas, my dream journal, podcast episodes, and so much more. Each of those categories have their own folders and pages within those folders. It's so much easier to navigate through that app.

I could honestly write an entire blog post for this app alone, but I am going to wait until I become somewhat of a "pro" with it first. However, I would highly recommend you readers to download it and just give it a shot. The best part about it is that it is completely free! There is an upgraded version, but I don't even know what it offers because the free version is already amazing.

Notion is especially good for me because I am constantly being bombarded with new ideas in my brain so I quickly go to the app to jot them down. Fair warning, though, it does take some getting-used-to. This app is for the brainstormers, the organizers, the planners. If you are one of them you will get the hang of this app fairly quickly. If not, just take your time with it.

Although I only mentioned three ways my smartphone has improved my productivity, I am sure there are thousands of apps out there that can do even more. These are just a few things that I, personally, use on my phone when I want to focus. Of course, I have a long way to go before I am my ideal CEO of my life, but the baby steps I am taking, even with these methods in this blog post, are definitely going to get me there.

I hope this blog post struck a few ideas within you as you were reading. In this day and age, our phones can often takeover our lives. Instead, let's use these phones to take back our control and create the life that we actually want to live.

Until the next post.

Jefferson K. Coe