Ditch Google Calendar and Use These Apps Instead

Summary

In this video, the presenter explores five excellent alternatives to Google Calendar, each tailored for effective time blocking. The apps reviewed include Plan, Time Block, Cron, TickTick, and AccuFlow, highlighting their unique features such as intuitive interfaces, task integration, and team collaboration tools. The video emphasizes the importance of seamless task management and calendar integration, showcasing how these alternatives enhance productivity compared to Google Calendar. Ultimately, the presenter recommends TickTick for its balance of powerful features and user-friendly design, making it ideal for those looking to improve their time management skills.

Takeaways

• 😀 Google Calendar is widely used but may not meet all users' needs, prompting the search for alternatives.
• 📅 Plan integrates a calendar, task organization, and document management, making it a comprehensive planning tool.
• ✔️ Plan allows easy task integration with existing tools like Google and Outlook, enhancing user experience.
• 🕒 Time Block offers an intuitive daily view and helps users visualize tasks with colors and icons.
• 🔄 The routine creation tool in Time Block allows users to establish consistent habits throughout the week.
• 👥 Cron, acquired by Notion, focuses on team management and simplifies scheduling with availability sharing.
• 💼 TickTick stands out as a task manager that integrates a calendar view, allowing users to create subtasks easily.
• ⏱️ TickTick features a built-in timer for tracking task duration, adding efficiency to time management.
• 📝 Akiflow compiles tasks from various apps and offers an aesthetically pleasing interface for task and calendar management.
• 📚 Shortform is a valuable resource for learning, offering detailed summaries and interactive exercises for non-fiction books.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video?

The video focuses on exploring five alternatives to Google Calendar that cater to time management and task organization.

What are the key features of the Plan app?

Plan offers a calendar, task organization system, and document management. It integrates well with other tools like Google and Outlook.

How does TimeBlock differ from Google Calendar?

TimeBlock provides an intuitive daily view and allows users to create routines, while Google Calendar lacks advanced task management features.

What unique feature does Cron offer for team management?

Cron allows users to easily mark availability and share it with teammates, facilitating scheduling meetings across time zones.

What is a notable strength of TickTick?

TickTick is known for its simple interface, integrated task and calendar views, and the ability to track subtasks and durations.

What challenges does the Akiflow app currently face?

Akiflow is still in development and may have stability issues, such as crashing when setting up daily rituals.

Which app does the speaker recommend for time blocking and why?

The speaker recommends TickTick for its powerful tools, ease of use, and effective integration of task and event management.

What does the video suggest about postponing tasks?

Postponing tasks is considered an inevitable part of time blocking, and several apps, like Plan and TickTick, offer features to automate this process.

How does Shortform enhance learning from books?

Shortform provides detailed summaries of non-fiction books along with interactive exercises to help users apply the ideas learned.

What is a common limitation found in many of the discussed apps compared to Google Calendar?

Many of the discussed apps lack a robust task management system compared to Google Calendar, affecting their effectiveness for advanced users.