I have tried almost 70 productivity tools, and here are my favorite ones.

I have been a fan of apps since I got my first iPhone in 2014. The development, design, user experience, and range of options to meet every need fascinate me. Eventually, I would store over 500 apps on my phone, most of which I barely used after installing them.

As I began my professional career, I sought to put more structure around the apps I would use and started building my professional toolbox. My goal has been to curate a set of tools that enable me to be most productive within the context of my responsibilities while retaining accurate and helpful information.

With this goal in mind, I have been on a journey of finding the most capable and valuable tools within the following areas: scheduling, note-taking, task management, and knowledge management. I recognize that this list is not exhaustive, and I assume there are viable options that I have yet to explore.

Nonetheless, I considered the following criteria in curating this list.

• Intuitiveness: How do the different features of the tool work in conjunction to achieve its intended purpose?
• Synchronization: Can I access my information from any device I want/need to?
• Design: Does the tool's design help me enjoy inputting information without headaches?
• Complexity: Does the tool balance simplicity and the number of features without being "bloated?"

Scheduling Tools

My Top Calendar Tool: Apple Calendar

• I am an Apple Fanboy, so there is no surprise to have this be my top pick. The simplicity of the app, bundled with its robust synchronization between devices, makes this an excellent choice for navigating all of your calendars across private and professional functions.
• Alternatives: Google Calendar, Fantastical, and Outlook Calendar.

My Top Booking Tool: Savvycal

• Have you ever gotten tired of exchanging message after message to find a time to meet? Look no further because Savvycal will make those lengthy exchanges a thing of the past. I have enjoyed Savvycal's straightforward interface and broad flexibility to connect multiple email accounts, block availability, and create booking links for various types of meetings.
• Alternatives: Calendly

Note-Taking Tools

My Top Note-Taking Tool: Bear

• Of all the tools I have searched for, most of them have been note-taking apps. It's so critical to get this right. I have found everything I need (and then some) in Bear. It has a gorgeous UI, utilizes simple tagging for notes (no more digging through folders), integrates seamlessly with Apple Pencil for handwriting notes, and syncs across all my devices. Unfortunately, it only supports Apple Devices.
• (Non-Apple) Alternatives: Obsidian, UpNote, Notion, or OneNote
• Ever heard of "Note-Taking Styles?" Check out this video to learn more.

Task Management

My Top Task Management Tool: Things3

• This is one of the most-used apps on my phone. If you are familiar with the Getting Things Done Method, you will feel right at home here. Cultured Code, the developers of Things3, have built a stunning task manager that makes you want to get things done.
• (Non-Apple) Alternatives: Todoist, Omnifocus 3, TickTick, Akiflow, Sunsama

Knowledge Management

My Top Knowledge Management Tool: Walling

• Tiago Forte coined the concept of "building a second brain" as "an external, centralized, digital repository for the things you learn?and the resources from which they come." Your toolbox would be incomplete if it did not include a tool that helps you organize and engage with all the information you are exposed to.

Calendars, Note Apps, and Task Managers help you do more; Knowledge Management helps you think more by offloading what your brain is occupied with.

• Alternatives: Notion, Craft Docs, Coda, Anytype

At the end of the business day, these are only recommendations. I hope I have encouraged you to consider what areas of your toolbox are lacking and provided you with some exciting solutions.

Feel free to drop a comment telling me about your useful tools. I'd appreciate it!

None of the developers linked above has paid me any kind of commission to list these. These are my recommendations alone.

To learn more about Axiom Strategic Consulting and how we help small businesses maximize their potential,?visit our website?or email me at [email protected].