5 productivity tools that *actually* work for ADHD

Summary

This video introduces five alternative productivity apps for those who struggle with traditional tools. It covers Routinary for routine management, Exiles for customizable organization, Ark for tab management, Raindrop for bookmark organization, and U Flow for task management and calendar integration, highlighting their unique features and potential benefits for users with ADHD.

Takeaways

• 📱 The video introduces five alternative apps designed to help with organization and productivity, especially for those with ADHD or who find popular apps unsuitable for their workflow.
• 🗓 'Routinary' is an app that combines checklists and timers to gamify daily routines, similar to the Pomodoro Technique, and helps with time blindness often associated with ADHD.
• ⏰ 'Routinary' features a focus mode that shows one task at a time, a timer, and a verbal cue for time overruns, aiding users in staying on track with their routines.
• 📝 'Exiles' is a blend of notion and bullet journaling that offers a customizable and intuitive interface for note-taking and task management, with features like canvases, tiles, and collections.
• 🖼️ 'Exiles' allows for the creation of groups and collections that can span across different pages and tiles, providing a more flexible way to organize information compared to traditional databases.
• 🌐 'Ark' is a web browser designed to declutter the traditional tab experience by organizing them vertically and introducing the concept of 'spaces' for different contexts or projects.
• 🔍 'Ark' includes features like split view, picture-in-picture mode, and customizable tab themes, enhancing the browsing experience and productivity.
• 🔖 'Raindrop' is a bookmark manager that organizes bookmarks into collections and tags, offering various views and filters to easily manage and access saved content.
• 📆 'oy Flow' is a task management and calendar app that excels in integrations with other tools, allowing users to aggregate tasks and calendars from various sources into one platform.
• 💡 The video emphasizes the importance of using aggregation apps to combat information fragmentation and improve accessibility and efficiency for individuals with ADHD.
• 💸 The cost of 'oy Flow' is mentioned as a potential downside, but it is justified by the extensive integrations and features provided, catering to users with complex task and calendar management needs.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the video?

The main purpose of the video is to introduce five alternative apps that can help viewers stay organized and on track, particularly those who have not found popular apps to be suitable for their needs.

What is Routinary and how does it help with daily routines?

Routinary is a routine app that combines checklists and timers to gamify daily routines. It guides users through their tasks one at a time with a timer and helps with time blindness by providing verbal cues when users exceed the allotted time for a task.

How does Routinary differ from other checklist apps or the Pomodoro Technique?

Routinary offers a focus mode where users see only one task at a time, a timer for each task, and verbal cues for time management. It also allows customization of routines and tasks, which is similar to the Pomodoro Technique but with additional features.

What are some potential downsides of using Routinary?

Some potential downsides of Routinary include being in a somewhat beta mode with bugs and crashes, UX errors, non-compliant color contrast, and an overall out-of-the-box feel with stock icons that may not appeal to everyone.

What is Exiles and how does it compare to Notion?

Exiles is an app that brands itself as a crossover between Notion and Miro but is considered more of a blend between Notion and bullet journaling. It offers a more intuitive and customizable experience compared to Notion, with features like canvases and tiles that can be arranged freely.

What are the main features of Exiles that make it stand out?

Exiles stands out with its canvas and tile system, the ability to create groups between pages and tabs, collections for object-based organization, a universal calendar feature, and an inbox for capturing tasks and ideas on the go.

What is the cost of using Exiles?

Exiles has a premium version that costs about $4 to $10 per month, depending on the subscription length. The premium version includes features like Google Calendar integration and unlimited storage for curated tasks.

What is Ark and how does it improve the browsing experience?

Ark is a web browser that reimagines the traditional browser interface by organizing tabs vertically, creating spaces for different contexts, and offering features like split view and customizable tabs. It aims to make browsing more intuitive and less distracting.

What are some notable features of the Ark web browser?

Notable features of Ark include vertical tab organization, spaces for different browsing contexts, split view for multitasking, customizable tabs with colors and fonts, and the ability to import Chrome bookmarks and extensions.

What is Raindrop and how does it differ from traditional bookmark managers?

Raindrop is a bookmark manager that organizes bookmarks into collections and tags, offers various viewing options like cards and mood boards, and provides a clean and visually appealing homepage. It differs from traditional bookmark managers by offering more intuitive organization and viewing options.

What is the main benefit of using Raindrop for bookmarks?

The main benefit of using Raindrop is its ability to organize bookmarks in a satisfying and intuitive way, with options to sort and filter them easily, making it easier to manage a large number of bookmarks.

What is Ayflow and how does it help with task management and time blocking?

Ayflow is a task management and calendar app that specializes in integrations with other apps. It allows users to drag tasks onto a calendar, create time blocks for batching tasks, and integrate all their tasks and calendars from various sources, helping to reduce information fragmentation and improve time management.

What is the cost of using Ayflow and what does it include?

Ayflow's cost ranges from $19 to $34, depending on the subscription plan. The cost includes access to powerful integrations and features that help manage tasks and time more effectively, although it may be considered steep compared to other apps in the category.

Why might the cost of Ayflow be higher than other similar apps?

The higher cost of Ayflow may be due to the extensive use of APIs for integrations with other apps. Each API request usually incurs a cost to the developer, which is then passed on to the user to sustain the business.