I Tried 137 Productivity Tools. These Are The Best.

Summary

In this video, the creator shares his daily productivity routine and tools that have helped him maintain efficiency over the years. Starting with morning weigh-ins on Wi-Fi-enabled scales, he moves on to journaling with 'morning pages,' using apps like Things 3 for task management, and Ulysses for writing. He emphasizes the importance of changing work locations to boost creativity and mentions using various tech gadgets and apps, including Notion for project management, Superhuman for email, and Google Drive for storage. The video also touches on the benefits of therapy and the use of physical exercise equipment like treadmills to stay active during work. Finally, he recommends apps for note-taking, time tracking, and relaxation to wind down the day.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker has experimented with numerous productivity apps and tools over 15 years and shares their daily routine with the best ones.
• 🤔 Starting the day with self-reflection using the Withings smart scales to track weight and health over time.
• ☕ The 'Clever Dripper' is the speaker's preferred method for making coffee, emphasizing the importance of routine in productivity.
• 📓 The practice of writing 'morning pages' in a physical journal is highlighted as a key productivity technique for idea generation and mental clarity.
• 📱 The 'Things 3' app is used for daily task management, with a focus on a 'today' list and an 'anytime' list to keep tasks organized and simple.
• 🏠 The speaker's home screen setup on iOS includes widgets for quick access to tasks and calendar events, aiding in daily planning.
• 📝 The importance of writing and changing locations to boost productivity is discussed, with the speaker often working from coffee shops or restaurants.
• 🎒 The 'Peak Design 6 Liter Sling' is mentioned as a minimalistic bag for carrying essential items like the iPad and journal, reducing the friction of moving between locations.
• 📖 The 'Ulysses' app is the speaker's go-to for writing, featuring a simple interface and daily word count tracking.
• 👂 The benefits of therapy for understanding emotions and limiting beliefs are shared, with a mention of 'Better Help' as a resource for online therapy services.
• 🎵 Listening to focused music on YouTube, such as immersive writing sessions, is part of the speaker's routine for maintaining concentration while working.
• 📧 'Superhuman' is the email app of choice for its speed and efficiency, featuring keyboard shortcuts to navigate emails quickly.
• 📚 The company's operations are managed through 'Notion', which is used for planning, writing, and organizing various aspects of the business.
• 🚶 Walking is presented as an underrated productivity tool for recharging energy and generating new ideas.
• 📱 'Apple Notes' is the default app for quick note-taking, which are later organized into other apps like 'Notion' or 'Ulysses'.
• 🎧 'Otto' by 'Auto AI' is an app used for voice recording and transcription, helping capture ideas on the go.
• 💼 The use of 'Slack' and 'Loom' for team communication and updates, respectively, is part of the speaker's business productivity strategy.
• 🏋️‍♂️ 'Strong' and 'Trainerize' apps are mentioned for tracking workouts and fitness progress.
• 🌙 The evening routine includes relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation, and reading before bed, supported by devices like the Amazon Echo and Kindle.

Q & A

What is the first activity the speaker does in the morning?

The first activity the speaker does in the morning is going to the bathroom, doing a little Wii, and weighing himself on his Withings smart scales.

How does the speaker track his weight changes over time?

The speaker tracks his weight changes over time using his Withings smart scales, which are Wi-Fi enabled and sync with Apple Health Kit.

What is the significance of the 'morning pages' technique mentioned in the script?

The 'morning pages' technique is a practice from Julia Cameron's book 'The Artist's Way', where one writes three pages by hand as a stream of consciousness to clear the mind and spark creativity.

What productivity tool does the speaker use to manage his to-do list?

The speaker uses the app 'Things 3' as his to-do list manager, organizing tasks into a 'today' list and an 'anytime' list.

How does the speaker utilize different locations to enhance productivity?

The speaker changes his work location by going to coffee shops or restaurants to make work feel more like play and to enhance productivity.

What writing app does the speaker prefer for drafting his work on the iPad?

The speaker prefers using 'Ulysses', a minimalistic markdown-based writing app, for drafting his work on the iPad.

How does the speaker incorporate therapy into his productivity routine?

The speaker has started therapy recently, which has been transformative in understanding his emotions and limiting beliefs, contributing positively to his productivity.

What is the speaker's stance on reducing friction for activities he wants to do more of?

The speaker believes in reducing friction as much as possible for activities he wants to do more of, such as going out to local coffee shops or parks to work, to make it easier to build those habits.

What is the role of the treadmill in the speaker's productivity setup?

The speaker uses a treadmill under his standing desk to walk while working or playing games, promoting physical activity during sedentary tasks and enhancing productivity.

How does the speaker use the app 'Rize' for time tracking?

The speaker uses 'Rize' as an automatic time tracker to monitor how much time he spends on various activities and applications, which helps in understanding and optimizing his productivity.

What is the significance of the 'Reader' app in the speaker's daily routine?

The 'Reader' app is used by the speaker to aggregate and read RSS feeds, especially during times like using the toilet, to intentionally use his time for reading instead of aimless scrolling.