The creative process can be a wild ride. One minute you’re overflowing with inspiration, the next you’re staring blankly at your screen, wondering where it all went. As a creative professional, you’re juggling multiple projects, deadlines, and that ever-elusive state of flow.
Luckily, in today’s digital age, we have a ton of tools at our disposal to help us stay focused, organized, and inspired. Here are four of our favorite productivity apps for creatives that we use to actually get 👏 shit 👏 done 👏.
1. Brain.fm: For Finding Your Focus
Brain.fm is a secret weapon for those moments when you need to tune out distractions and dive deep into my work. This app uses scientifically-designed, or what they’d call functional music to help you focus, relax, or even meditate. Whether you’re writing, designing, or just trying to power through your inbox, Brain.fm can help you get in the zone and stay there.
Why we love it:
- Science-backed: Brain.fm’s music is based on years of research in neuroscience and psychoacoustics.
- Personalized: You can choose from a variety of tracks tailored to different activities and mental states.
- Effective: We’ve personally found it incredibly helpful for improving focus and productivity.
2. Miro: For Mapping Your Million Projects
The go-to tool for brainstorming, mind mapping, and collaborating with others, Miro is an online whiteboard that allows you to visualize your ideas, connect different concepts, and explore new possibilities. It’s like having an endless canvas for your thoughts!
Why we love it:
- Visual: For visual learners, Miro provides an opportunity to really see the bigger picture and make connections you might not have otherwise noticed.
- Collaborative: It’s perfect for working with teams, clients, or even just bouncing ideas off of yourself.
- Versatile: Miro can be used for a wide range of creative activities, from brainstorming to project planning to mood boarding.
3. Asana: For Taming the Chaos
Okay, so you’ve got the projects mind-mapped. Now, it’s time to tackle those to-do’s. Asana is a robust project management tool that helps break down large projects into smaller tasks, and allows you to track progress. It’s like having a personal assistant for your creative endeavors.
Why we love it:
- Intuitive: Asana is easy to use and navigate, even for those who aren’t tech-savvy.
- Flexible: It can be adapted to different workflows and project styles.
- Powerful: Asana offers a wide range of features, from task management to team communication to reporting.
4. Forest: For Staying Present (and Planting Real Trees!)
Forest is an app that helps you stay focused and avoid distractions by gamifying the act of staying off your phone. Each time you resist the urge to check social media or browse the internet, you plant a virtual tree. Over time, you grow a beautiful forest, representing your dedication to focused work.
But here’s the best part: Forest also helps you plant real trees on Earth! By earning virtual coins through your focused time, you can contribute to real-life reforestation projects. It’s a win-win for your productivity and the planet.
Why we love it:
- Fun and engaging: Forest makes staying focused feel like a game, which can be incredibly motivating.
- Mindful approach: Forest encourages you to be more mindful of your technology use and cultivate a healthier relationship with your devices.
- Real-world impact: You can use Forest on your phone or as a Google Chrome extension for your desktop, making it easy to stay focused and plant trees wherever you work.
Your Turn!
These are just a few productivity apps for creatives that can help you unlock flow and achieve your goals. What are your favorite apps and tools for staying productive, inspired, and balanced? Share your recommendations in the comments below!
