6 Incredibly Useful Tools To Help With Your Workflow

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Amidst a pandemic that shocked the whole world and kept us out of working in offices and studying face to face, the power and beauty of the Internet shined through in these trying times.

We’ve learned that working from home is a viable option, even more, attractive than having a tight work schedule in fact and that homeschooling can be fun and interactive. Of course, nothing beats out human interaction and socialization, so now that there’s a vaccine to look forward to, we can now also plan out a new normal. Maybe go on trips again!

But for employees and students who are still at it, it pays to have a smooth workflow, so whether you’re a team manager or a rank and file or a student doing online classes, having the right tools to support your process is important. In this article, we’ve listed down some of the best tools to help you create a workflow that’s fuss-free, intuitive, and streamlined.

PDF editor

A PDF editor, whether a separate application you need to pay for or a web-based one, is a lifesaver when it comes to quick PDF edits like adding and deleting text, merging one page to an existing PDF file, and when you want to compress a file for better sharing. For most people, the online alternative should be more than enough, but for power users who work with PDFs all day, you’ll need to get the third-party application option. 

What’s great about an online PDF editor is that it has an array of tools that focus on one task alone. So when you want to PDF compress, you’ll only have to pull up the specific tool for it. On the conversion side of things, you can convert Office-based file formats like Word, Excel, and Powerpoint to PDF easily, as well as image files like JPG and PNG.

Grammar checker

Every one of us needs to be fact-checked and proofread all the time. Not unless you’re confident about your writing and composition skills, you’ll probably need a grammar checker to check your emails, papers, proposals, letters, etc. Grammarly is the top choice for this task, and with the option for a browser extension, you can use it on your email, Google Docs, among others. 

Of course, there are also other options out there. Hemingway is not technically a grammar checker, but it checks your article or write-up’s readability, suggests sentence improvements, and checks for word recommendations. Hemingway is a web-based app, so you’ll need a browser to access it.

Office suite

Any industry needs a basic office suite. The fundamentals for this is a word processing application, spreadsheet, and slideshow tool for presentations. Nothing beats out Microsoft’s Office suite, but with the power of the Internet and increasing connectivity, the bare bones Docs, Sheets, and Slides by Google has proved less cluttered and more convenient for most people. For more info on Google Docs, you can check TurboGadgetReviews.

For peeps on the Apple ecosystem, the iWork suite might be underrated, but it still packs quite a punch. Pages are as intuitive as their counterparts and Keynote is arguably better than Powerpoint. From these fundamental suites of applications, several specialty suites should also be added depending on the company’s specialization.

Noise-cancelling headphones.

The importance of noise-cancelling headphones can’t be understated these days. As we become more connected, our lives have become so hectic and noisy that our bodies adjust to working in non-conducive environments. If your job makes you high-strung, you’ll need to isolate yourself to pull focus and give the best work possible. This is where noise-cancelling headphones come in. 

If you can, go for wireless choices as this type of headphones will give you more convenience. For most people, Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 is a great pick: it has excellent sound and acoustics, great connectivity on any Bluetooth-enable device, and is lightweight enough for prolonged listening. 

Focus tunes

Speaking of listening, to supplement your noise-cancelling headphones, you’ll need to have an assortment of playlists of sorts containing focus tunes. These specialized beats are scientifically researched to increase focus points on your brain’s nerve endings, which in turn, will increase creativity and productivity. 

You can find these playlists on Apple Music, Spotify, and other music streaming services, so bonus points if you’re already subscribed to one. A quick search on the keyword focus should yield curated playlists. Save this to your library and use it when the need arises.

Portable battery pack for phones

We are living in a world where smartphones are the norm. Whether you are an Android user or an iPhone fanboy, you’ll need a power bank to charge your phone when you’re out and about. For employees who do fieldwork, power banks are a necessity because they give you extra power throughout the day to continue with your work without interruption.

There are a lot of options for a portable battery pack but look for features like weight, connectivity, and most especially the amount of power it can hold. The basic number you need to look out for is 10,000 mAh. Anything above that should be a great buy. If you want to be sure, get one with a 20,000 mAh capacity, like the iMuto Power Bank. 

Takeaway

Always remember that these tools are only useful when you know how to use them effectively. Effective use means being efficient with your tasks and job responsibilities. Use these tools to make the most out of an 8-hour shift, whether your schedule is the regular 8 to 5 or the very contemporary graveyard shift.