More than 3.9 million Americans now work from home- a number that is increasing every year. Most people would agree that working at home in your pajamas is better than going into an office. But remote work comes with its own challenges.
That’s why we’ve got this list of work tools and apps to keep you on task and make working remotely easier than ever before.
Ready? Let’s get started.
1. Slack
Slack is well-known as a virtual office. While it’s technically used as a messaging app to help teams connect, you can prioritize and organize conversations based on projects or topics. You can also easily share files with each other.
Slack is particularly good if you want to have conversations about different subjects, such as customer support or social media, as you can create multiple channels.
2. Trello
Trello is an exceptional project management tool which can be used for a range of tasks- from task management to managing freelancers.
One of the things that set Trello apart from other remote tools is its usability. You won’t have a massive learning curve here, and can instead simply drag and drop text and files, assign team members, due dates, and labels, and track projects.
Trello is particularly good for to-do lists, planning content, and keeping everyone organized and on the same page.
3. Every Time Zone
When you have colleagues located around the world, figuring out when they’ll be available to talk about something urgent or attend a team meeting can be difficult.
Every Time Zone makes it easy- you simply check the time at the top to see where it is in everyone else’s time zone- with highlighted windows to make sure you’re contacting them during work hours.
4. Toggl
Toggl is great for remote workers because it allows you to see exactly when and how long you’ve been working. You can easily track different projects and clients, making it a great option for small business owners and freelancers.
If you need to work a set number of hours, timekeeping software can keep you on schedule. View here for a great option, but you can export your own timesheets with Toggl as well.
5. Rescue Time
Wondering where all of your time is going each week? Not being as productive as you should be? Rescue Time is the answer.
The app runs quietly in the background and can be used on both your mobile and computer. It tracks the time you’re spending on all of the websites and applications you’re using. This means that you can get an accurate picture of every minute you spend online each day.
You can then examine detailed reports which reveal exactly how much time you spent scrolling Facebook last month. You can also set alerts which will tell you when you’ve spent a certain amount of time on social media or another distracting website.
6. Self Control
Most remote workers could use a little more self-control, but this app makes it easy. Simply log in, set the websites that you’d like to blacklist (Buzzfeed, Facebook etc), and hit the timer.
You won’t be able to access those websites unless you restart your computer. You’re welcome.
7. Google Drive
There’s no doubt that Google Drive is one of the most helpful work tools around. The cloud storage is super important for remote workers- whether you’re working as part of a massive team, or you’re a freelancer.
You can easily share files with colleagues and clients, and can even collaborate on those files at the same time- from anywhere in the world. With 15GB of free space and a suite of tools which include Sheets, Slides, Docs, and more, you can’t go wrong with Google Drive.
8. Momentum
When you’re working remotely, it’s easy to lose track of time or fall out of focus. This is particularly true for people who tend to procrastinate.
Momentum is a browser extension. Each time you open a new tab, it will remind you of the single most important task you need to complete that day, and how much time you have left to do it. Available for both Firefox and Chrome, this is a good way to cut through the noise and make sure you meet that deadline or check that important task off your to-do list.
9. Evernote
Evernote is a great tool for remote workers since you can also use it on the go. it’s particularly good if you’re working on a project that requires creativity since you can quickly capture inspiration as soon as you find it.
You can create notebooks for each project, and store notes which can include text, links, images, and even voice memos. Attach it to Skitch, and you can easily take screenshots of your screen while you’re working and automatically add them to Evernote.
10. Work From
Sometimes you just need to get out of the house, and many remote workers find that they work better when surrounded by ambient noise in a cafe.
Work From can help you find a co-working space or coffee shop near you, based on local recommendations from a community of other freelancers and remote workers. You can prioritize your search based on outlets, noise levels, wi-fi, coffee, and more.
Venues are given a workability score out 4, so you can easily choose the best place to get to get straight to work.
Have You Tried These Work Tools?
Many people love the idea of working remotely until they realize that they need help to stay organized and on track. With the above tools, you’ll be able to increase your productivity, hit your deadlines, collaborate with coworkers, and get the most out of remote work.
While there are many remote work tools to choose from, it can be easy to download them all and get overwhelmed. Instead, try a couple at a time and see what works for you.
Check out some more of our business blog posts to learn more today.
