In my constant quest for ways to be more efficient, I've tried out my fair share of apps and programs. Below are a few I thought might be helpful if you are on your way back to school or looking for new ways to stay focused and connected.
1. Drafts — This app works well for me because it saves me a few seconds every time I have to send a note to someone, to schedule an appointment, or to log a reminder to myself. This app allows me to go to the Drafts icon to start and to compose each type of entry, and then, and only then, do I decide what the best destination for that entry is. Drafts provides the entire list of choices of e-mail, text, reminders list, print and other send-to options. I choose one from the list and send or I can leave what I've written in draft form.
I've just recently started using Drafts, but I think it's fantastic. The app helps me to stay focused on what I am trying to get done first, so I don't get lost in a sea of other app icons (#wordswithfriendsblackhole) before I get my message written. I think it's helping to preserve my sanity, which is no small thing.
2. Gingko — I am also new to this web app, but I am already well-enamored of it. Gingko helps writers keep a handle on what they are doing by allowing them to see how their writing is taking shape as they are writing.
No more one line by one line writing for me. With Gingko now I can see the entire scope of what I am planning to write. Gingko encourages you to type your thoughts in a “tree” format, where the root of the tree (your main idea) is on the left side of the screen, and the branches (your supporting ideas) extend out from the root towards the right side of the screen. Gingko even offers suggestions for how you might want to structure particular types of writing. With my basic ideas mapped out in front of me in the tree format, I can pick and choose where I want to continue writing. One moment I'm expounding on the main idea, the next I'm hopping over to add a small detail to another section. Shazam.
3. Lift — I heard about the Lift app through the blog of Pat Flynn who had heard of it from Tim Ferriss. Knowing how productive both gentlemen have been, I was intrigued and downloaded the Lift app. Though I was interested, my hopes were not high because I have tried other habit tracking apps and have just been too bored or unmotivated to keep up with the checking and the logging in processes.
I think the Lift app has been working fairly well as a gentle, friendly reminder of the self-improvement goals I set when I first started using the app. When I actually succeed at abiding by one of my goals, I simply press the screen to indicate that, and am rewarded by praise and phone fireworks. It's cute and just fun enough to keep me mindful of the goals I've set. By the way, the Lift app has a community of goal seekers too, so if you're community-minded, you can also log in your goals and share your progress with others who share the same goals as you. Try to avoid checking your e-mail before breakfast for a few days with the help of Lift. I dare you.
4. Twitter — Okay, I am pretty sure this is not an “app,” but more like a phenomenon at this point. I wrote about my love for Twitter a while back, but since I wrote that post, I've seen how Twitter has been more prominent in news circles, sports communities, and the like. I recommend (as appropriate) my patients try Twitter as it's an easy way to connect with the information communities and sources YOU want to be connected to. And I'm mentioning Twitter here because I think all students can benefit from a hip research tool like this. If you haven't tried it before, get yourself a Twitter handle and send me a direct message (by starting your tweet with @ChristineLiPhD) through my Twitter handle @ChristineLiPhD and I will tweet you back to get you started.
5. Google Drive — Again, not technically an app, and probably something you may already be using. I have been using Google Drive a lot, most recently to co-author the book Stepping Into College with my colleague Diane Elkins who lives in North Carolina. Using Google Drive, we were seamlessly able to write our own parts of the book and then to collaborate in the editing, publishing, and marketing processes. Google Drive is very user friendly and has my dream feature — auto-save. Use it to start making plans for a new on-campus club, future business, or book!
I hope you find these apps as useful as I have. Consider getting a copy of Stepping Into College too if you are just entering college now. It contains loads of advice on how to make the early months of your freshman year more manageable and how to use them to ensure your success in the rest of your school years. Please also keep a look out for a new offering I am putting together for Procrastination Coach readers for the month of October. Announcement coming soon!
