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No-Nonsense Tools: Building a Productivity System That Actually Works

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 • ⏳ 5 mins read
How I Stopped Wasting Time on ‘Perfect’ Apps and Got Shit Done Cut the Crap: A Real Guide to Productivity Tools and Systems

Nowadays everyone wants to be productive and everyone wants to use the latest and greatest tool there is.

If you are one of the people who just keep trying and chasing the rush of new tool and after every tool you think this might be it. This would be perfect app for my laziness or my productivity. But there aren't any.

Not that there is nothing wrong with exploring and learning about new apps and website but if you have switched between multiple apps in past 6 to 3 months, then you don't want to be productive. You just love the idea of using amazing app and being productive.

And yes, I admit I was one of you.

But not anymore.

I have switched to system instead of application. What does that mean. Instead of finding and looking for perfect application to be productive, now, I perfect my system to be productive.

You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems. — Atomic Habits (by James Clear)

So, how do you build this system. For me it was the multiple platform sync and easy access. You need to decide what 2 or 3 things you are looking for in your in perfect application. And if you 2 checkbox ticked out of 3 then go with that application.

Note Taking

Apple Notes Image Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

My main not taking application is Apple Notes. This is where I can take notes easily and very fast is Apple not. I don't like to stuck in apple note but I have mostly access to my laptop of phone so that is good enough for me.

But if I am writing something like a blog article then I prefer to be on Obsidian. Reason — it is fast, supports markdown and offline. Any blog or newsletter or anything more than two paragraph I try to write it in Obsidian if I have access to my laptop.

And last one, Notion. I use notion as my backup system. Reason it has everything from normal notes to project management. So, Any note that I create in Obsidian or in Apple Notes eventually (if needs) make it to the Notion.

I don't use notion primarily because it is slow as fuck and I am not a fan of theme of Notion.

Todo

tick tick todo app image

For todo, my absolute favorite is TickTick and as it turns out it is MKBHD's favorite todo app as well.

In last 3 to 5 years, I have tried Todoist, Notion, Apple Reminders and many more. But I didn't find anything as good as TickTick. It has:

  • Tasks
  • Kanban board
  • Pomodoro timer
  • Habit tracker
  • Calendar integration

What more one want in todo app?

So, I am and probably will be using TickTick for a long time. Oh, also, it is multi-platform and on web as well, unlike some apps 😉

Calendar

outlook calender image Photo by Ed Hardie on Unsplash

I don't run a big YouTube channel or I am not a CEO or I run my life based on appointments (unless it is doctor's). So, I just use default calendar that comes with my Phone.

  • Apple Calendar for iOS and MacOS
  • Google Calendar for other

Links and Read Later

readwise image

We all know we can get every knowledge we want on internet. But to keep track of things that I like, such as interesting websites, newsletters and articles I use Readwise and it's new companion Readwise Reader.

Readwise reader is read later application such as Pocket and Instapaper. I like Readwise because I can:

  1. Read pdfs
  2. Read articles
  3. Send tweets
  4. Save newsletters

It is a bit expensive compare to Pocket and Instapaper but I like it.

I use its export services to export everything I highlight to Notion. And main Readwise application exports all my kindle highlights to notion as well.

You might see a pattern here and yes that is a part of my system or it is a system, I don't know!

At last, I like to learn about what's going on in market. New AI apps, new notes app, new design app, some weird apps (yes I am nerd about that) and I like to keep track of all these weird/amazing apps and websites. To do that I use Notion (again, I know).

notion app image Photo by Team Nocoloco on Unsplash

Notion is backup system for me. There might be something else for you. I have seen people using Evernote as backup system. Many people use Raindrop.io, it is your choice, use what you like.

Conclusion

So, I wanted to share the apps I use and how I use it so you don't waste time like I did running after every new app and build system instead.

Now, go and be weird!

See you 👋🏼

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