Like most people, you probably spend a fair amount of your downtime staring at your computer or mobile phone. Based on research, we spend about 3 hours and 15 minutes staring at our phones. The number of hours differs with the different age groups.
According to the ranking, Gen Zs had the most screen time compared to the other groups. The results also supported that females spent more time on their phones. Spending a lot of time on our phones has its downside.
Mobile phone addiction is a risk today. People are so addicted that they barely do anything meaningful anymore. Mobile phone use has also been the cause of many accidents. Driving or walking while using your phone is dangerous, but people are oblivious.
Also, your phone can be a distraction at work. It will reduce your concentration and the quality of work you do. Students face a similar challenge. You have to take a step to reduce your screen time.
However, this may not work for everybody. For some people, their phone is one of their business tools. Therefore, reducing screen time may not work for them. The second best alternative for this group would be to use applications to minimize distractions and maximize efficiency.
Whatever the case may be, according to statistics, many of us could use a little help when it comes to getting things done.You can visit professionals to help you break out of your cycle and reduce your screen time. However, an Android review shows that there are applications that can help you be more productive. Some applications you should consider include:
1. Trello
Trello is great if you need help managing your tasks to increase productivity. The application allows you to manage your activities through the use of cards. The cards are similar to physical post-it notes.
The cards allow you to list the tasks you aim to achieve, and you can create subtasks. Subtasks come in handy when you want to break things down into small chunks. You can use Trello alone, or collaborate with others if you are working in a group. Trello allows you to track task distribution, deadlines, and completion.
Another great feature is that Trello allows you to incorporate media into your work. You can add pictures and mockups. The application also works across platforms. You can use it on your mobile device and your computer.
The application is free, but some features have to be paid for. Consider the annual package fees if you are working on a project in a team.
2. Todoist
As the name suggests, this application helps you list down all that you need to do. The software allows you to create and monitor group tasks. You can improve your efficiency by tweaking the priorities of the tasks. Setting priorities will also help you be more organized.
Another great feature of the application is that you can integrate your contacts and email. The app sends you email and SMS reminders to help you be more productive. Your work is also backed up and synced to your account.
You can use the application for free. If you want to access more features, there are paid plans starting from $4 billed monthly.
3. Google Tasks
Google Tasks is another application built in the to-do list format. It has a simple user interface and amazing functionalities. Since it is from google, it easily integrates with google applications. Therefore, you can add reminders directly from your Google Calendar. The application is free to use.
4. Forest
Forest is a great application to help you avoid distractions on your phone. The application takes a game approach to encourage you to spend time off your phone and focus on your work. The game involves setting a timer in the app for the time you intend to spend. Setting the timer is called planting a seed.
Once you have planted your seed, the seed will grow into a tree if you do not use your phone. If you exit the application, the tree dies. The goal of the player is to create a forest. If you need time away from your phone, this is a great way to keep off distractions.
5. Rescue Time
Rescue Time is an application that enables you to manage the time that you spend on your devices. The app tracks your activity on your computer windows and browsers. It also does the same for applications on your phone. After evaluation, it gives you a report of how you can optimize your time on your devices.
You can set your goals and the application will monitor your progress. The application will also block distracting websites and applications to help you stay focused. The application also sends you alerts and nudges to help you form healthy habits.
The application has a 14-day free trial period in the Lite version. Beyond this period you have to pay $9 per month.
6. Freedom
The most common distractions include social media, games, streaming platforms, and shopping websites. If you already know what applications distract you, Freedom is the application for you. Freedom allows you to block distracting applications and websites for a period.
You can limit your access to distracting applications and websites in a day and create a healthy habit. This will help reduce your phone addiction and keep you productive.
The application gives you a free trial of 7 sessions. If you want to purchase the service, prices start at $8.99 per month.
Conclusion
Spending extended amounts of time on your phone or computer may have significant problems with your productivity. Screen time also limits your ability to interact with people around you. Therefore you should take advantage of the applications at your disposal to help you increase your productivity.
Applications such as Freedom and Forest will help you stay focused on your work by reducing your phone use. If you want to manage your activities, you can use Todoist or Google Tasks. You can get so much done, with the right apps to help you
