Summer is great for many things: pool 'grams, outdoor movies, a daily serving of ice cream, and the list goes on. But sadly, productivity is not high up on that list. Warm, sunny days practically make lazing around on the beach or in a hammock a prelude to work, errands, or chores. And we all know how that ends: You fall asleep until its time to cool off in the water or eat soft serve, and whatever you needed to get done has to wait.
That's all well and good, but when you actually have to check things off your to-do list — whether that's at work or home — a little help could go a long way. That's why we've found five apps that will help you knock things off your list faster, so you can get to the summer fun free of guilt and stress.
From apps that make it easier to prioritise tasks, to ones that help you break projects into smaller chunks — these are your tickets to unencumbered beach-bound freedom.
Purp (available on the App Store) lets you add a larger task to a category (options include everything from social and family to new habits), and then break that job into smaller tasks. As you complete those smaller tasks, you'll see your progress on a helpful graph and earn in-app achievement badges. The best part is the app's "brain" tool, which looks at your schedule and helps you find the best time to fit little tasks into your day.
Strides (available on the App Store) is an app that's available on your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or online — so you can track your progress no matter which device is nearby. Beyond the basics of creating and categorising a task, Strides includes useful notifications so you won't forget something on your list, as well as a tracking-to-gaol tool that lets you see if you'll finish by your projected due date. When you finish your task, all you need to do is swipe it aside in Tinder-fashion, then move on to the next.
Flat Tomato (free on the App Store) is based on the Pomodoro Technique, a time management theory that advocates breaking tasks into 25-minute blocks. The app's "tomato" is your timer. After entering a task into your calendar, tap the timer and commit yourself to that task for 25-minutes. Then, you'll have a built-in 5-minute break before the timer starts again, signalling you to continue the project or move onto the next task. If you're someone who needs a hard deadline (or to count down the seconds to your next moment of freedom), this is the app for you.
If you're looking for a to-do list helper without any bells and whistles, opt for Wunderlist(available on the App Store and Google Play). The beautifully simple app makes it easy to create tasks, add due dates, and write notes as you move forward. Where Wunderlist really shines is in its sharing capabilities: The app is available on far more devices than other productivity apps, making it far more convenient for work. Plus, you can sync up with friends and coworkers so you can all weigh in on a task. If more than one person is collaborating on a project, as is often the case at work, this is an ideal way to keep track.
As with Wunderlist, MeisterTask (available on the App Store and Google Play) lets you invite people to join in and collaborate on to-do lists. It's not unlike Slack, but it's organised around individual goals as opposed to free flowing conversations. You can comment on and "Like" tasks, as well as add attachments from Dropbox, iCloud, or your photo library.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
17 Tips For Taking An Awesome Boomerang
iPads & Macbook Air: All The New Products From The Apple Event