“Until You Have Productivity Skills, Productivity Tools Are Useless"

November 11, 2016

Ask the Right Questions Before Using Productivity Apps

Many of us search for the latest, greatest app or the fancy new software that will finally help us manage our time. But even the most well-designed program won’t help you unless you have a workflow management process, or methodology, already in place. If you find yourself installing new programs or apps, testing them out for a day or two, and then never opening them again, it may be because you didn’t have a strong workflow methodology to start with. So before you install that latest app, ask yourself, “How do I currently track tasks? How will this software fit into my existing process?” Then ask yourself, “What problems do I want the tool to solve?” There is no question that technology can improve productivity. But when investing your time in a new tool, focus first on your methodology so you know what will suit you best.  

Adapted from “Until You Have Productivity Skills, Productivity Tools Are Useless,” by Maura Thomas