March 23, 2015

The apps to make you work smarter

There are so many apps out there it’s easy to get lost in the world of the app store, searching for the best app for this and that, then looking at the reviews, only to discover that it’s not actually what you wanted after all. Especially when you thought that was the app that was going to make your working life that bit better. So, to help you out, we found the best 5 apps to help you. Like, really help you.

Sleep Cycle

Forget the sound of the alarm clock that wakes you with a shock at 6.30am and the lure of those pricey natural light alarm clocks (especially as the mornings start to get lighter anyway) and pay 79p for Sleep Cycle. When you set your alarm before going to sleep, you choose a time to wake up at and a time period of when you’d like to be woken up around that time (for example your chosen time could be 7am, but you could choose to be awoken within half an hour of this time), this allows the app to sense when you’re sleeping at your lightest within the time frame you’ve set and wake you up at that point in your sleep cycle. This results in you arising less groggy and way more refreshed than normal – yay! – however the nicest feature is how it does this; no bleeping or angry buzzing, but a gentle tinkling sound that starts quietly and gradually gets louder, giving you the nicest wake-up call you’ve had in ages!

It also tracks your sleep patterns too, letting you know how well you slept and how much time you had in bed so you know whether you need to start hitting the day earlier. Once you’ve got Sleep Cycle there’s no going back.

Evernote

You’ve probably heard of Evernote before now, but if you haven’t, get it. It does everything your phone/Outlook/Filofax can and more, which means you need it in your life ASAP. It syncs to your photos and phone calendar so you never miss, or double book, appointments, you can have as many notes as you want and you can screen shots pages and add them into sections, for example, what you want to do at the weekend or vouchers you want to remember to use.  Download it, play with it to see exactly how amazing it is, then never forget anything ever again.

Words with Friends

This might not seem like an app to help your work life but that’s the beauty of it. Firstly, it’s basically Scrabble and you can play with your Facebook friends, strangers or the apps itself, so it’s a good way to stay in contact with your friends (you can instant message whoever you’re playing too!) and pass the time on your commute, but it’s also the best way to wake up your mind and broaden your vocabulary. By the time you get to work you’ll have given your brain a good workout so you’ll be ready to start the working day as soon as you step into the office, having had a catch up with a friend or two and maybe learnt a new word. And for the real wordsmiths, you can set up Word of the Day to make sure that you always end the day that bit smarter than you started it. So from speaking to friends, to waking up your brain without the aid of caffeine, to ensuring you learn something new everyday, you’re boosting your working life without even realising it.

LinkedIn Jobs

The easiest way to job search is here! If you don’t have a LinkedIn account already, (and why not?!) get one, then download their LinkedIn jobs app. Just as your account on the web will show you jobs you might be interested in, this app does the same, but smarter and easier! Just type in your preferred job role and location and the results are immediate, accurate and, often, plentiful. So whether you’re testing the waters to see what’s out there or if you’re seriously looking, it’s the easiest way to not only job hunt on the go, but to do it discreetly!

The Mindfulness App

We know, ‘mindfulness’ is everywhere right now, but it’s around for a good reason. Whether you’re a school or uni student, have just stepped onto the career ladder or are well-established in your role, to whether you see yourself as stressed or not, mindfulness can help you take a step back from life, remember to breathe and take some time out for you. And if you are stressed, well worry no more, for The Mindfulness App is going to make you breathe deeper, stress less and work so much smarter. Yes, it costs £2.29 but that’s a small price to pay for what you’ll get out of it.  The meditation sessions vary in length, there’s a silent meditation option you can customise, features to track your progress and set reminders to encourage you along and there’s even a body-scan check to assess where your body is holding all that tension!

So make the app store (and these 5 apps) your best friends and get working smarter!

Written by Stephanie Bolton. Follow her on Twitter @StephanieBolton 

Do you work from home on a frequent basis? Check out some tips on how to work from home effectively: https://www.girlstalklondon.com/home-working-heres-how-to-be-productive/

Let us know what you think about our recommended apps below or if you know of any others!