Tips for Tech That Helps You Stay Organized

According to one study, 75% of small business owners believe that disorganization hinders their productivity. Would you agree?

If you’re feeling stressed out at work, there are tech tools designed to help you get back on track. From mobile apps to desktop software programs, these resources can give order and structure to your daily workflow, but it’s important to use them the right way.

Today, we’re sharing how to apply new technology solutions to get organized and stay that way for good.

1. Sync Your Online Calendars

You may already use a virtual calendar to keep track of key dates at work and home. From important meetings and appointments to social events and kids’ ballgames, these platforms can keep up with it all.

Yet, how well do others in your life know your plans? If you’re keeping the notes all to yourself, there’s a good chance that a wire will get crossed and an important date will get missed.

You can avoid this by using the sync feature built into many calendar apps. For instance, the calendar on your Apple iPhone can sync up to all of your Apple devices, from your smartwatch to your Echo. You can also create a shared Family Calendar that automatically updates everyone in your family when you add a date or set a reminder.

There are similar features available for Android calendars, and you can also sync up shared Google calendars. These tools can help everyone in your family stay organized, on time, and up to date.

2. Use Your Alarm

It might sound old-school, but you need to set an alarm. If you’re constantly oversleeping, the rest of your day can drag and you’ll feel unproductive and disorganized.

Thankfully, your smartphone already has a clock app built into it, so this step is a breeze. After you’ve set your morning wake-up time, don’t stop there. You can also set individual alarms for certain tasks, which helps you concentrate and schedule your time better.

For instance, if you know that you can only spend 20 minutes going through your emails in the morning, use the timer function on your clock app. Set it to 20 minutes and commit to logging off once you hear the sound.

3. Block Your Time

Some of the most innovative tech tools are those that allow you to block off your time into individual sections.

While you might be used to scheduling interruptions (e.g. meetings, appointments, phone calls), how often do you actually plan out how much time you’ll spend working each day? With these apps, you can color-code your daily schedule based on what you want to be doing at each hour.

For instance, you may block off 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. to do easy, administrative work. Then, you’ll block 12:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for lunch, and 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. for your most intense, focus-draining tasks.

Or, you can reverse that schedule and knock out your hardest activities in the morning. Once you visualize your daily life in this way, it becomes easier to understand how valuable your time is, and how to maximize it effectively.

4. Create Notes and Reminders

You don’t have to invest in fancy, expensive platforms to organize your life better. The answer might be hidden right within your smartphone: the Notes app!

Did you know that you can use this function for much more than simply jotting down ideas? You can also use the tools to make checklists, manage files, add images, and more. Then, you can share the note with anyone else who needs to see it.

In the same vein, the Reminders app is equally helpful. While you may already use it for everyday functions like your grocery list, think of it more as your personal assistant. You can set a reminder for absolutely anything, and your phone will notify you when it’s time to remember.

You can even specify when and where you’ll receive that notification. For instance, you can set the app to remind you to make coffee for the next morning right before you go to bed at night. Program the reminder to repeat every evening, and you’ll never be without your morning cup of java.

5. Organize Your Projects

Does it always seem like you have one too many irons in the fire? If you’re working on multiple projects at once, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

To keep everything simple and separate, look for programs that help you organize your projects into separate categories. For instance, you can use the XCOrganizer on Setapp to organize Xcode projects into one comprehensive view. You can also find other project management apps designed to help you set timelines, track progress, and plan important milestones.

6. Block Distractions

Is your theme for this year “Get Organized 2022”? If so, then you might need productive tech solutions that help you focus. This is where app-blocking tools can come in handy.

These programs are designed to make certain distracting apps, such as Facebook or Twitter, temporarily inaccessible. This way, you’re not tempted to initiate an hour-long scrolling session when you really need to be working. You can set parameters around how long they’re locked and how often the process repeats.

It might seem strange to have those apps grayed out on your screen, but after you get used to the blocks, you’ll be grateful they’re there.

Use These Tools to Stay Organized This Year

There are many different tech tools that can help you clear the clutter in your mind and on your desk. As you research the best solutions for your needs, make sure you’re using them the right way.

While these are some of the most common resources available, they aren’t the only ones. Think about the biggest stressors in your life, and search online for software programs that can help you solve them. When you commit to getting organized, even the busiest days will seem much more manageable.

Looking for more advice on how to excel at work? Check out our Science and Tech section!

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James Laight

Alex enjoys playing MMORPGs, cats and relaxing. What else is needed in life?