here is a list of 5 useful tools that are sure to help you stay focused and boost your productivity.
Focus Booster
This is a desktop app that I go back and forth with because sometimes it works great for me and other times it doesn’t. There is also an online version available for those that don’t want to download the Adobe AIR app. This tool focuses you to concentrate on a single task for 25 minutes (or more if you desired) and then signals you to take a 5 minute (or more if desired) break. You can even enable a ticking sound and end of session/break alarm so that you won’t work over-time!
Breaks are very important and a must for anyone who works at a desk all day long. Our bodies were not made to sit in one position for hours at a time. It’s important to stop and actually get up out of your chair to stretch, walk around, and even get a snack if necessary.
Title Time Tracker
This Chrome extension shows you how long a Web page has been open in your browser. The time is displayed right on the tab – in front of the page title. Note: Once you restart your browser, the time will reset. So if you’re one that keeps certain websites open like Facebook or Twitter, this extension can urge you to focus on more important things by displaying just how much time you’ve wasted on less important websites.StayFocusd
This is a Chrome extension that not only helps to keep you focused, but also helps to increase your productivity. It does this by limiting the amount of time that you spend on time-wasting sites like social networks and online games. You know those days when you promise to be productive and get everything done on time, but then end up spending all day on Facebook, reading your RSS feeds, or cleaning out your email inbox? Well with this tool, those days will be behind you!
With StayFocusd, after you spend the alloted of time on a site that is your weakness, you’ll no longer be able to access it. The site will be totally blocked and you’ll have to wait until the next day to access it again for the allotted time set in settings.
DayHiker
This Chrome extension basically gives you access to Google Calendar from your browser toolbar. You can check your daily schedule, view tasks, receive “soft” reminders, see the current date and time, and much more. It’s easier to stay focused when you’re organized, can view your schedule at a glance, and are able to check off tasks as you complete them.The integrated calendar is also a nice touch.
Chrometa
This is a desktop tool that tracks your time automatically, all you have to do is let it run in the background. It will automatically keep track of each website you visit and for how long. It will even automatically categorize your items so that’s it easier to see the types of websites that are distracting you the most.
You can then use this data to “reconcile” your time and create reports. Those reports can then be exported and/or synced as needed. Chrometa currently supports Windows and Mac operating systems.
