The tech savvy worker ant

I get bored at work. The insipid, inane white-grey layout of the word-processor is a complete contrast to all the options at the taskbar. Only when sitting down to write does the Watermark option at the top look so appealing, and no time is a better time to check the Translate option under Review. There must be a better, distraction free option for the likes of me with the attention span of a dead goldfish. And lo and behold, the Internet!

Focus Writer

A distraction free, full screen word processor with themes to choose from – and no clutter. Free to download, adjustable word-targets for the day and a cool Matrix like green text on black background. And to top it off, the option to get into your writer mode by turning on the typewriter sounds.

Asana

To do lists are amazing. But then there are so many of them, from the simple Sticky Notes to the ubiquitous Evernote. But to truly manage everything on one platform, from group projects to personal tasks to delegating, nothing cuts it like Asana. Although the interface might take a little getting used to, once done, it is an amazing tool to keep up with all the lists we love to make.

Cloudmagic and Mailbox

We all have that email id we created as a teenager when we thought calling ourselves the dark_nite609 would be edgy. Sure we don't talk about it anymore, and if asked, “It wasn't me” is the gag reflex. So then we created our more proper, boring email and for some received another one from the workplace. Installing three different email apps on your phone is a hassle. Cloudmagic brings in multiple accounts on one app and has features from notifications and reminders to passcode locks and swipe based gestures.

Mailbox on the other hand is a nifty alternative for Gmail. From scheduling emails, snoozing them to show up later when needed and muting the ones you don't need, Mailbox does it all. In its initial stage it only supports Gmail and iCloud.

Map your mind

We all think we are little brown Sherlocks and have fantasised of mind palaces where all the information we will ever need is neatly stored. On the other hand, to be realistic, we might just need to play Watson and stick to mind mapping softwares. Thinking visually and creating charts and interlinked ideas to fool-proof that great idea that you have is easy with the right mind mapper. There are thousands available online, and some are expensive. But to try them out first, go for the free ones. XMind for both Windows and Mac and Coggle as a web app are handy for first timers. The tips are helpful to get started and once you are into the whole process of drawing up your plans on screen, that rusty whiteboard you never use anyway is definitely going out the window.