It’s the beginning of a new year, and
thoughts turn to becoming more productive in many areas of our lives: Work,
time management, household tasks, cooking, and even pleasure reading. So what’s a busy tech-toy-loving person to
do?
Why, try out new apps, of course! Here are my favorites, in no particular
order:
Calendar / Planner: Franklin Planner, Day-Timer, Dayrunner,
At-A-Glance, Mead … I’ve tried them all and loved something about each. But what I didn’t love was having to
handwrite all my to-do’s and erase and rewrite every time something changed,
which was every day. So I started
shopping for iPad and iPhone apps that would keep track of my tasks by due date
and automatically carry over each undone item to the next day. The closest I’ve found to the paper planners I
enjoyed is Opus Domini: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/opus-domini-mobile/id492262685?mt=8
There’s
a section for daily tasks and events, another for your master task lists which
include multi-step projects, goals, mission statement, and contacts. The link connects to a free app that you can
sample before buying. I use the iPad
version and keep it open all day to keep me focused and on task.
If
you’re one who likes the latest and greatest of everything, you may want to
check into the soon-to-be-released, updated version called Opus One. See it at www.piso13.com
Cookbooks: For
those trying to eat healthier, it takes a bit more preparation and planning
than just tossing a TV dinner in the microwave or opening a can. So why not let these cookbook apps help you
out?
Paprika: Find a recipe that’s easy, tasty, and
blessedly quick to prepare? Snap a photo
and save the picture and instructions here.
Or you can comb the web and save recipes onto the app. Also, let it help you organize your grocery
list. http://paprikaapp.com
Forks Over Knives: Healthy recipes that’ll get you thinking
outside of the box … outside of the fast food box and pre-packaged food
box,that is. http://www.forksoverknives.com/fok-recipe-app-now-available-for-iphone-and-ipod-touch
McDougall’s Mobile Cookbook: More healthy recipes. These are a little heavier on the starches to
help you feel full but, like the Forks
Over Knives recipes, are also plant based.
https://www.drmcdougall.com/health/shopping/apps/mobile-cookbook-app
AllRecipes Dinner Spinner: If you prefer a little meat with your meals
(or not), this one’s handy. Type in
which ingredients you have on hand, and up pop several possible recipes. Or specify that you want gluten free or
vegetarian options, and only those will be shown. And the free price tag is
quite nice. http://allrecipes.com/features/mobile
OurGroceries: While we’re talking about food, let’s not
forget the app that will eliminate your refrigerator notes forever. Yes, those sloppily written lists on beat up
scraps of paper that you never have with you when unexpectedly pop in at the
grocery store to pick up a few things, and you have to call home to have
someone read the list to you. Or maybe
no one’s home, and you have to rely on memory.
This app lets you and your household members add to and delete grocery
items, no matter where you are. No
forgotten foods, and no more duplications.
There’s also room for errand lists and whatever other reminders or list items
you need to share frequently with your family.
https://www.ourgroceries.com/overview
Evernote: This powerhouse program keeps track of
everything! It’s so wonderful that I
haven’t even begun to learn all of its features. So far, I’m using it to keep track of my
packing lists for when I travel and another file for jotting down Christmas and
birthday gift recipient lists and potential gift ideas. The subject of sock puppets came up recently,
and it occurred to me that a special little girl in my life might enjoy one, so
I wrote it in my Evernote file. However,
the little sweetie is still too young to play with an item that might have
small parts she could swallow, so I’ve put it on the gift list for a year or
two down the road. No more last-minute
scrambling for ideas. https://evernote.com
FaceTime: Stay in touch with your loved ones even
though they may live states away, as my grown children do. This is especially handy if, like me, you
need their fashion advice on something you’re wearing that. Having a bad hair day and don’t want to be
seen? Use FaceTime’s voice-only option
for a free long-distance call. https://www.apple.com/ios/facetime . For non-Apple users, Skype is the way to
go: http://www.skype.com/en
Yoga Studio: When I’m on a manic deadline, there’s no way
I can devote large chunks of time to exercising. What I like about Yoga Studio is that I can
select an exercise by fitness level, a certain body focus, or length of
time. If it’s been a while since I’ve
exercised, I’m not up to a fast-paced cardio session, and I only have a small
amount of time, I can choose beginner, strength, and 15 minutes. No special equipment necessary. http://yogastudioapp.com
Writing Tools: Okay, I almost wrote Writing Toys. Even though these next suggestions are
helpful work-related tools, I admit that using them still feels like I’m
playing with toys.
Index Card Board: What a great way to plan and sort scenes for
your Great American Novel. You can color
code them, stack them, sort them, and write on the backs of these virtual cards. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/index-card-board-for-ipad/id508074636?mt=8
Pomodoro: Two words … deadline and A.D.D. Okay, the second was technically three words
(Attention Deficit Disorder), but I can personally attest that when you put the
two together, stress ensues. Sometimes a
writer needs a little extra help staying focused and on task. Enter the Pomodoro timer, named for the cute
little tomato-shaped kitchen timers of the past. This app allows you to set a series of
working stretches, followed by short rest breaks and interspersed with occasional
longer breaks. Now, instead of wandering
off whenever a distracting thought occurs to me, I know to keep working until
the timer sounds. If it can help this
ping-brain creative person, it can help anyone.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pomodoro-timer-focus-on-your/id703145045?mt=8
Scrivener: This one has received many recommendations
across many writing communities, so I won’t detail all it can do. However, this writing program is handy for
keeping my early-concept notes, synopsis, character charts, scene descriptions,
timelines, research links, chapter files (of course), and much more all in one
place … right beside my open document.
No more scrounging through endless Microsoft Word files, wondering what
bizarre filing method I might have used for something I absolutely need Right
Now! Just open it up to the project
name, and everything is all there, safe and sound. http://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.php
Whew! That’s a lot of favorite apps, but
there’sstill one writing app that’s uninvented yet (or perhaps just
undiscovered by me) that I would really love to have and use. It’s an app that lets writers black out
specific dates as non-writing days, enter the total number of words to be
written, and the deadline date. Then the
app would figure out for you how many words you need to write per day to finish
in time, all while keeping track of your daily progress. If any app developers are reading this and
looking to turn this into an actuality, please consider turning into a game
wherein points are earned and levels achieved.
Oh, yeah … I could totally get into that. Consider me your first customer.
Okay,
readers (and writers) … what are your
favorite organizing- and time-saving apps / programs?
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