“You cannot mandate productivity, you must provide the tools to let people become their best.” – Steve Jobs
Staying productive at work is never an option. It is a must. It’s what keeps us doing tasks at our best by using our time wisely. It’s different from being busy, though they’re more often used interchangeably.
There are so many techniques and strategies that one can learn from various experts in different fields, but the gist of it all is how one can finish something up in a particular span of time. Over the years, technology experts have conducted studies on how to use advanced tools to support employees at work. Thus, the birth of mobile apps and software a lot of us use nowadays to automate our business process.
Despite the varied options we have, there are still a lot of professionals who continually struggle in the tools’ usage. Today, we’ve consolidated the most common functions one can enjoy from these tools (specifically the apps), and how you can make the best out of them.
Collect tasks
Most, if not all, productivity tools work on the assumption that you can’t get started with any job in the absence of a ‘task list.’ This list doesn’t need to be scheduled but covers all the things you expect to accomplish in the next days or weeks.
Decide or suggest the next steps
After you’ve consolidated a particular lineup of things to accomplish, most productivity tools then give suggestions on how to achieve these things or which should come first. Of course, they can vary on the style, and some may even offer options to disable the suggestion feature. Generally, though, it helps users save time in having to deal with
Organize things into categories
How else can tasks be efficiently organized than by arranging them into categories? This is exactly why some productivity tools allow users to create individual folders that represent a particular category and can contain different tasks you have for the whole week.
Generate a doable to-do list
While you can control the things you want to accomplish at a specific timeline, some tools save you the hassle by creating a to-do list out of those things you have listed on the app or software. Unless you explicitly program the tool so that you will have full control over the list, some competent tools are capable of creating to-do lists based on your priorities.
How can professionals maximize the apps’ usage?
First off, you need to understand that not all apps will fit your preference. There are tools which might be equipped with all the functions you need, but don’t have that user-friendly interface you expect.
To experience the change and benefit these tools can give you, it’s best to keep in mind the following:
- Limit your options to two or three. Meaning, choose the best three out of all the potential picks.
- Stick to those with a user-friendly interface. Do away with apps that have complex navigation and functions.
- Explore the features accompanying both the free and premium versions. Some apps may be free but doesn’t give you access to more advanced features unless you pay them. Others allow few premium features to be used even in their free versions. Make sure you have explored your options first before paying for anything.
No one is entirely exempted when it comes to experiencing those random downtime at work, and items like the productivity apps for salespeople are created to help us lighten the burden of ever-growing ‘to-do’ lists.
Identify your needs, be specific in the areas of work you’re having a hard time at and choose the best tools to help you manage your time well!
