The world today is fast-paced and demanding, and yet we've never before been faced with so many distractions just waiting to derail us (I'm looking at you, TikTok...) For some, optimizing productivity has become the ultimate goal, a mantra, a lifestyle. For the rest of us, we're just trying to make it through the day without getting stuck in an Instagram rabbit hole. No matter which camp you're in, the right tools and products can make a substantial difference in our ability to manage time and stay focused.
From cutting-edge apps to tried-and-true analog aids, there's a wide variety of options designed to optimize your workflow and boost your productivity. Whether you're a student aiming for academic excellence or someone striving for a harmonious work-life balance, these products were carefully selected to help empower you to harness your potential. Here are 20 Tools to Boost Your Productivity and Get Your Life in Order.
A Sunrise Alarm Clock to Get You Up and About
Giving yourself the best start possible is a major factor in how the rest of the day goes. A sunrise alarm clock gently rouses you from slumber so you wake up feeling refreshed, instead of panicked or annoyed.This clock's face gradually becomes brighter over a period of 30 minutes and even has dual-alarm capabilities for multiple users. Program it to your preferred color, sound (from a selection of seven nature soundscapes or the radio), and weekday/weekend settings for a truly customized experience.
Get Moving on This Yoga Mat
Moving your body around immediately releases dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. These chemicals all help with attention and concentration, offering added incentive for you to make time for a little physical activity. I like to exercise first thing in the morning, but if the beginning of your day is hectic, try to do 15 or 20 minutes of yoga in the afternoon to help power you through the rest of your day.I like this yoga mat from Gaiam because it's low-profile and lightweight, yet durable. It's made of nontoxic material and even comes with a carrying strap!
Prep Your Meals With These Sturdy Containers
Pre-selecting even one meal a day, like breakfast or lunch, gives your brain a break from having to make yet another decision. Make the whole thing even simpler and tidier with a set of storage containers like these ones. The dishwasher/oven/microwave-safe bowl is made from borosilicate glass divided into two sections for perfect portioning. The lids snap and lock into place, preventing spills and leaks and making them easy to stack in the refrigerator.
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And Use This App If You're in Need of Inspo
Okay, you've got your meal prep containers, but what to fill them with? MealPrepPro is the #1 app on the market to plan the perfect meals for your needs, budget, and goals. Featuring batch recipes and nutrition tracking all in one place, this app saves you so much time figuring out what to eat, how to make it, and whether or not it fits in with your dietary preferences. Hate olives? Only have time on Sunday to prep? No problem!
This Water Bottle Reminds You to Stay Hydrated
This water bottle from Salú is an easy way to make sure you're staying hydrated all day long. The BPA-free TRITAN plastic bottle is shatter resistant and features time and volume markings along the the side to keep you on track. Plus, it comes with two stainless steel, leak-proof lids, one regular and the other with a sport strap for toting along to the gym. Bottoms up!
Use an Organizer to Declutter Your Desk
An organized workspace is an efficient workspace. Get your desk clutter under control with this wire organizer from Gianotter. It's a two-piece system composed of a letter tray that sits on top of a sliding stationery drawer with a detachable five-slot upright rack to hold files or books. It's made from sturdy, powder-coated iron and available in six colors to suit your decor!
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Choose Office Accessories That Work as Hard as You Do
Ideally, your smart phone should be kept in a drawer, your bag, or in another room entirely while you're working. Nothing derails productivity like the temptation to scroll or endless notifications popping up, after all. However, if banishing your phone simply isn't an option, get some office decor that pulls double duty, like a desk pad with wireless charging capabilities!This pick is generously sized to keep your desktop tidy, and it's made from mouse pad material for smooth, accurate control of a mouse. Best of all, the left side features a 15W wireless charging pad for your phone, Airpods, or other devices. It also folds into an upright position to make video chatting more comfortable and hands-free.
Ergonomics Level Up Your Work Game
Create an ergonomic workspace wherever you are with this adjustable laptop stand from Riwuct. This smartly designed office accessory raises your laptop up to 7.5 inches, bringing the screen closer to eye level and easing neck strain. Made from sturdy aluminum alloy, it can support up to 8.8 pounds and features non-slip silicone pads and two hooks for stability. The hollowed design allows for better ventilation - no more overheating tech - and the whole thing collapses flat for easy portability.
Write Out Your Daily Plan of Action on a Planner Notepad
Call me old-fashioned, but I still like to write out my To-Do lists so they're in my face all day long and not hidden behind a bunch of open browser windows. Two Tumbleweeds has created a sleek daily planner notepad that's minimalist in design and easy to read. Each pad has 50 undated sheets with sections for your schedule for the day, a To-Do list, and major points of focus.There are even areas to record your water intake, plan meals, and make note of all the nice things that happened during the day! It's the perfect at-a-glance record of all the work you've gotten done.
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A Dry Erase Calendar Remains a Productivity Classic
Speaking of at-a-glance planning, a dry erase calendar allows you to map out the goings-on for the whole month so you never accidentally double-book yourself or your family again. Available in a variety of sizes and layouts - like a four-month version for people who like to see what's happening for the entire quarter - these white boards feature a super strong, scratch-resistant, magnetic surface and plenty of space for notes.
Or Try Out a Habit Tracker App
If you're a little more tech savvy, an app might just be the thing to keep you on track. Productive is a daily habit tracker available through the iOS App Store and Google Play that helps you build your most optimal routine. Set goals, track statistics, and rise to challenges all through the app's intuitive interface. Users rave about how easy it is to use and how quickly it helped them develop healthier habits and become more organized.
Nature Is Good For Your Soul - And Your Productivity
A workspace needn't be devoid of personality in order to be efficient. Actually, productivity experts recommend decorating with color and texture to keep the brain active and alert. Plants are an excellent way to cheer up a space, and these ones from Costa Farms do double duty.Not only are they beautiful to look at, but they're natural air purifiers. Specific plants are subject to availability, but you can guarantee four farm-fresh green things to arrive packed with care and ready to display.
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Use Aromatherapy To Help You Focus
Sometimes all it takes to feel more alert and increase productivity is a whiff of something stimulating. I'm talking about aromatherapy! This set of scents are Cliganic's top five best sellers: peppermint, lemongrass, orange, eucalyptus, and lavender. They're USDA certified organic, single-ingredient oils that are vegan, cruelty free, certified non-GMO, and never, ever contain synthetic additives. Use one at a time or mix and match to create your own custom blend!
And Purify the Air While You Do It
Allergy sufferers often have the hardest time staying on task. After all, it's sort of difficult to get into the groove when you can't breathe. But even if you don't have allergies, a smoky, dusty, even pet dander-y environment is hardly ideal. An air purifier can do wonders for your productivity and output.The Levoit Core Mini is a little powerhouse when it comes to cleaning the air. It uses 360-degree VortexAir Technology and three-stage filtration to rid your space of allergens and particulates. You can even shake a few drops of those Cliganic essential oils onto the included aroma pads to diffuse soothing fragrances into the air, eliminating the need for a separate diffuser.
Try Using a Visual Timer to Break Up Tasks
Have you ever heard of the Pomodoro Technique? This is something completely new to me, and it seems totally genius. You set a timer for 25 minutes to work on a specific task with full focus until the timer goes off. You then take a five minute break to rest your brain before heading into another 25-minute work session. After four rounds of this, you take a longer break, then begin a new task.Pomodoro enthusiasts swear this method of time management prevents burnout, enhances creativity, and boosts productivity. You could set a timer on your phone, but if you're trying to make your workspace a distraction-free zone, this analog timer from Yunbaoit is a great alternative. It uses a colored gel to show you how much time is left in your session without having to squint at numbers. There's no loud, distracting ticking, and you can adjust the volume of the end bell. Happy tasking!
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Block Out Distractions With Some Noise-Cancelling Headphones
As I type this, my neighbors are putting the finishing touches on their converted garage mother-in-law suite, and it is loud. I can't very well ask them to halt construction, so I rely on a good paid of noise-cancelling headphones for some peace and quiet while i work.These ones from Anker are available on Amazon for under $100 and boast over 39k five-star ratings. They use Life Q30 hybrid active noise cancellation and dual-active microphones to detect and filter out up to 95% of low-frequency ambient sound. Additionally, if music drives your workday, the sound quality in these headphones is outstanding, with deep, thumping bass and crystal clear treble. The band is designed to minimize pressure so you can wear them comfortably for hours.
Get Your Fidgets Out With an Under-The-Desk Exercise Bike
Can't carve out 20 minutes for a yoga session? This mini exercise bike fits right underneath your desk so you can work out while you work! The adjustable tension knob adds resistance when you're ready for a challenge and the LCD screen keeps track of your progress, measuring distance, speed, and calories burned. I call that a Multitasking Win.
Tighten Up Your Home Keeping Schedule With This Book
Do you know how often you're supposed to rotate a mattress? Are you baffled by the symbols on your clothing tags? Have you been so busy taking care of other needs that you decide to put off Spring Cleaning until July or August? If any of that sounds familiar, you need this book.Home Comforts: The Art and Science of Keeping House by Cheryl Mendelson is a truly essential text to have in any home reference library. This is the ultimate guide to setting up and maintaining a clean, comfortable home, written in a way that's thorough yet accessible. Housekeeping shortcuts are fine, but eventually you'll need to get down to the nitty-gritty, and this book will teach you how.
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Or Gamify It With This Deck of Cards
You've optimized your workday so that you've got time at home to get some chores done. Bravo! But wait. Now that you've got all this extra time, where do you even begin? Order Out of Chaos is here to help. Each card in this deck of 52 has a different activity suggestion that will help you declutter, tidy up, and organize. And the best part of all is that each chore is designed to take ten minutes, tops. Some are even suitable for children to help with! Draw one card a day and see how quickly your space shapes up.
Try a Brain-Boosting Supplement
Neuriva is a clinically-tested brain health supplement that can improve memory, focus, and concentration. It contains a blend of coffee fruit extract, B vitamins, and Phosphatidylserine, which work together to promote cognitive function and increase alertness. It's vegetarian, gluten-free, and decaffeinated so it won't cause jitters. Try incorporating one capsule into your daily supplement regimen, and track your progress with Neuriva's Brain Gym app!
