3 Top Tips for Researching Best Productivity Tools

Researching productivity tools is one of the best investments of time before you jump into a tool. So many just go with the instinct of "shiny tool syndrome" where they see a tool and jump in with it, due to the look or feel of the tool.

Our biggest recommendation is to double whatever time you spend on research now and approach it slower when picking the perfect productivity software. We also have many tips for you from our over 10 years of picking and finding people productivity apps for daily use.

1. Tip #1: Plan for 3-5 Year Span

Productivity tools are like moving house. They cause stress, effort and money to move from. So making sure you're investing in the correct one is important. Of course, moving house has to happen sometimes, but ideally you want to be there for a span of time to make the most of it, as long as possible, ideally.

This is how you should approach your productivity tools. We recommend looking at hosting your productivity tool for 3-5 years, this is a good window of your life and will help make a base, optimise the tool and use it to get things done over a good stint of time.

So, look ahead 5 years. Do you plan on having a baby? Are you retiring? Or are you changing careers? With this in mind, adapt to your stint with the productivity tool.

Example: I started with Wunderlist and moved to Todoist because I knew after being a student, I'd have value in collaborative functions post-University, that approach worked out.

2. Tip #2: Invest in Values & Longevity

One thing people don't think about is the company values behind the productivity tool. People who create productivity tools have ways of thinking, opinions if you like. Sometimes those opinions match how you think. We've been using Twist for 3 years now and Todoist for collectively 10 years because of this.

The company Doist, creators of Todoist and Twist, are good examples of matching a value system and roadmap to what you believe in. The company believe in a-sync work, more flexible timings and a better, less intense approach to task management - all things I strive to do in my daily routine.

Company Showcase: Doist

Twist

Communicate with your team, a-sync with this new unique approach to team convos.

Visit SiteRead Review

Best For

A-Sync Communication

Availability

Mac

Windows

Web

iOS

Android

Pricing

$

$

Type of Tool

Team Communication Tools

Todoist

Manage all your tasks, build kanban boards and projects with this all-round task app.

Visit SiteRead Review

Best For

Simple task management

Availability

Web

iOS

Android

Windows

Mac

Chrome Extension

Pricing

$

Type of Tool

To-Do List AppsAI Productivity ToolsFreelance Productivity Tools

3. Tip #3: Trust Your Framework First

One thing people find is if they jump between productivity tools it is because their foundational productivity is not good. Eg. They don't work from a system, they jump from tool to tool hoping that will fix things.

Find a framework that suits you first, a set of systems like GTD (Getting Things Done) or Cal Newport's Deep Work, or even the pomodoro timer, or time-boxing before jumping between tools, something that will ground you in your thinking and approach.

Example: Calendar blocking isn't used by many calendar users - but will likely strengthen your use and possibly help you find a more suitable tool for a longer time period.