The Tools I Use
There are many different tools that I have used to make Productivityist tick. Here are several of the ones that I use on a regular basis here at Productivityist. (List updated May 2021)
- The NOW Year Calendar: This is the yearly calendar of choice that I’ve been using for several years. In fact, I’ve developed a calendar with Jesse over at NeuYear called The NOW Year Calendar that is ideal for planning your year using a themed approach. (2021 Edition coming soon!)
- ClickUp: This is the project management/task management app we use for everything related to Productivityist. There’s a lot to love about ClickUp. It scales really well, offers a bevy of powerful features, and has the flexibility and durability to handle whatever tasks I throw at it. If you’re just getting started with digital task management options and want one that can grow with you and your team, ClickUp is the way to go.
- Todoist: This is my personal task management app of choice, Todoist scores excellent in terms of balancing simplicity and scale. I’ve written extensively about Todoist at Productivityist. One of those pieces – “Why I Switched to Todoist” – is one of the most popular in the blog’s history.
- SavvyCal: This is my scheduling app of choice. I think the interface is great for both the person setting up the schedule and the people on the other end of the equation, meaning the overall user experience is one of the best I’ve encountered in an app like this. I’m still getting better acquainted with SavvyCal, but it won out over other alternatives once Woven announced they were shutting down.
- Evernote: All of my shared documentation for Productivityist is stored in Evernote. I’ve been using Evernote since June 2008 and has been using it consistently ever since (although both my expertise and use have both expanded and evolved over the years).
- ConvertKit: Productivityist was using MailChimp’s basic free plan for email marketing for a long time. As my audience continues to grow, I’ve switched over to ConvertKit, and I love how effectively and efficiently they handle my needs. If your audience is growing and you’re searching for a solution that will segment subscribers and provide statistics, we highly recommend ConvertKit.
- Brain.fm: When I want to focus, I don’t listen to music. I don’t listen to white noise. I don’t listen to anything but Brain.fm. Use this link to sign up and get 3 months for free.
- Canva: Simple and powerful, Canva can handle every bit of graphical work I throw at it. I’m definitely not getting the most out of it, but I know that I can stick with it for a long time because of what it can do for me now and going forward.
- Slack: This is my communication app of choice. Slack has taken the world by storm in 2014, and it’s easy to see why. It allows teams to communicate without email from all over the world (team members for Productivityist span three countries and two continents), allow for quick and easy file sharing, and much more. If you’re looking for a robust communication tool to enhance your existing workflow (or replace email for instant feedback on important communication), then give Slack a try. You will not be disappointed.
- Zoom: Skype’s reliability can be spotty at times, especially with video. When I work with clients I want to be able to share screens, record sessions, and have incredible call quality… so I’ll use Zoom. Its clean interface and ease of use makes it appealing – but it is the results Zoom delivers that has earned my trust.
- Blinkist: Blinkist is like Cliff’s Notes for business books. I use Blinkist to preview several books every month, and the “blinks” provide me with the guidance I need to decide what books to read in their entirety. The bottom line: if you want to get more of the right reading – and now listening – done, then pick up a subscription to Blinkist today.
- Baron Fig Notebooks and Writing Instruments: A new entry in the notebook realm, Baron Fig notebooks are tough to beat in terms of quality…and they are a pleasure to use. Whether you go with the larger Confidant or the smaller Vanguard notebooks, if you’re a fan of notebooks and quality writing instruments then you need to have some of Baron Fig’s wares in your toolkit.
- Scribd: This is my reading app of choice. I find it is better than using my library card for borrowing digital books, features full audiobooks, documents, and more. I think you should give Scribd a shot. It’s pretty awesome.
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links and at no additional cost to you Productivityist will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase. Please understand that I have experience with all of these companies and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions I make if you decide to buy something. Please do not spend any money on these products unless you feel you need them or that they will help you craft your time better.