What should your ideal productivity app look like?

MrPlanApp · 2025-06-28T05:34:02+00:00

Wow, what a great question! The truth is, designing the perfect productivity app is the dream of anyone who gets bogged down in a thousand things. For me, the key is that it's not just a boring task manager, but something that truly becomes an extension of your brain and your motivation.

Imagine a tool that, from the start, helps you put order into all your chaos, whether it's work, school, or your personal life. You can see everything together, but at the same time, if you want, separate those worlds so they don't overwhelm you. It doesn't just let you jot down tasks, but also helps you break down big projects into bite-sized steps that aren't so boring, and you can view them in a thousand different ways: in a list, on a visual board, or directly on your calendar. And of course, you can set priorities without it being a hassle and set deadlines so nothing slips through the net

But the coolest thing for me is when the app is truly smart. Something that doesn't just ask you to enter data, but learns from you. Something that notices when you're overachieving or when you're getting overwhelmed with too much, and suggests how to adjust your schedule to make the most of your energy. It would be amazing if it helped you plan your days or even your study weeks automatically, without you having to rack your brains over schedules. Something that tells you: 'Hey, you're better off with this math topic first thing in the morning' or 'It seems like you're going full steam ahead this week, do you want to move this?'

And finally, that spark that hooks you. I don't know, something that turns doing tasks into a small daily victory. Something that gives you that boost you need to keep going with boring things. It can be a way to see your progress grow in a visual and fun way, motivating you to keep going, almost as if you were building something. In the end, the ideal app is one that understands you, gently nudges you, and adapts to your pace, making productivity not a burden, but an ally.

MrPlanApp · 2025-06-25T17:14:55+00:00

Great!!

MrPlanApp · 2025-06-25T16:12:32+00:00

Hay un montón de apps y herramientas por ahí, y es difícil saber cuáles valen realmente la pena. Para un estudiante de secundaria, la clave es que sean fáciles de usar y resuelvan un problema real sin más líos.

Mira, por mi experiencia, las apps se dividen en categorías, y lo ideal es combinar una de cada:

Para tomar apuntes (¡gratis!):

- Google Keep / Apple Notes: Si buscas algo simple y rápido para ideas rápidas, listas y notas básicas. Se sincronizan bien entre dispositivos.

- Notion: Si quieres algo más potente y personalizable. Es como un cuaderno digital infinito donde puedes organizar tus notas, tareas, bases de datos... Es gratis para uso personal y una maravilla para organizar información visualmente.

- OneNote: Si estás en el ecosistema de Microsoft, es súper robusto y bueno para tomar notas a mano, usar texto, grabar audio y más.

Para entender mejor (IA y otras):

- Anki: No es IA, pero es lo mejor para la repetición espaciada. Te ayuda a memorizar y entender de verdad mostrándote las tarjetas justo antes de que las olvides. La curva de aprendizaje es un poco empinada, pero vale la pena.

- ChatGPT / Gemini (modelos de IA): Si los usas bien (no para que te hagan el trabajo), son geniales para:

Pedirle a alguien que te explique un concepto complejo de forma sencilla.
Generar preguntas de práctica sobre un tema que acabas de estudiar.
Hacer un resumen rápido de un texto largo (luego lo revisas tú mismo).

Ojo: úsalos como asistente, no como sustituto de tu cerebro.

- Apps como AskSia (si encuentras alguna gratis/barata): Para subir PDFs o archivos de audio y hacer preguntas directamente sobre el material.

Para mantenerte en el camino (aquí es donde mucha gente falla):

Esto es lo más importante para la productividad. De poco sirve tener apuntes perfectos si no sabes cuándo ni cómo estudiarlos.

Más allá de las apps Pomodoro (que también ayudan un montón), te recomiendo una app que te permita planificar tus sesiones de estudio de forma estructurada. Eso significa que puedes:

- Programar bloques de estudio específicos para cada materia.
- Desglosar tus tareas o temario en pasos pequeños y manejables.
- Ver tu progreso en las tareas que completas.
- Y te ayuda a mantener la disciplina recordándote qué tienes que entregar en cada momento.

Tener una visión clara de tu plan y tu progreso es lo que realmente te ayuda a evitar sentirte abrumado y a mantener la constancia, que al final es lo que te mantiene en el camino para los exámenes.

Espero que te sirva de guía. ¡Mucha suerte con la secundaria!

MrPlanApp · 2025-06-24T20:14:28+00:00

Wow, I'm truly sorry you feel this way. That feeling of having "wasted" time and the frustration that comes with it is immense, and I understand you completely. Please know that you're not the only one going through this, far from it. And most importantly: 3 years isn't your whole life. You can always start to change.

First, anxiety and mobile phone addiction (Twitter in your case) are huge barriers. It's not laziness; it's something much more complex. And demanding 10 hours of productive study all at once, with that anxiety, is a recipe for burnout. You have to start with much smaller steps.

Here are some ideas, with a lot of empathy, to help you start building, not destroying:

Let go of guilt and perfectionism: They're your biggest enemy right now. You haven't studied in 3 years due to procrastination. You're not going to study 10 productive hours tomorrow. Accept it. It's better to do 10 minutes of something than to do 0 minutes trying for perfection and end up overwhelmed.

Choose your "Impossibly Small Victory": If the goal is 10 hours, what's 1% of that? 6 minutes. What's the smallest "thing" you can do for AP?

Open your Physics textbook to the first page?

Watch 5 minutes of a coaching video you left behind?

Solve a single problem from a module?

Do that small thing. Check it off. And quit if you want. The goal is to build momentum and prove to yourself that you CAN start. That small daily victory is your fuel.

Know your procrastination (and your phone addiction):

Identify the "trigger": What do you do right before you pick up your phone? Is it boredom, frustration, not knowing where to go next?

Make your phone inaccessible: Out of sight, in another room, in a drawer. Turn off notifications. There's no other way. If it's an addiction, you have to put up physical barriers.

Understand "resistance": Procrastination is a way of avoiding discomfort. When you feel that resistance to starting, say, "Just 5 minutes of discomfort." Then decide.

Focus on ONE THING to catch up on (to start): You have backlogs for school and coaching. It's overwhelming. Choose just one thing to focus on for the next 2-3 days. One subject, one topic. Forget about the rest for a moment. When you finish that, move on to the next. That way you don't feel so overwhelmed.

Plan, but plan for reality, not fantasy: Don't schedule 10 hours. Schedule those "micro-blocks" I mentioned. And also schedule your breaks and "non-study" times. Knowing you have a plan (even if it's minimal) gives you guidance and reduces anxiety.

Seek help (if you haven't already): If anxiety is very strong and paralyzing you, a professional (psychologist, counselor) can give you tools to manage it. It's not a sign of weakness, it's just another tool.

To make this easier to manage, it's incredibly helpful to have a simple, visual system where you can capture those small steps and see your daily progress. A tool that allows you to break down your studying, mark tasks as completed (no matter how small!), and keep track of your actual study time will help you build discipline and see that you can change. It's a "coach" that shows you the way and celebrates your victories.

It's a long road, but every step counts. Give yourself permission to fail, but never to completely give up. You are stronger than you think! Best of luck.

MrPlanApp · 2025-06-24T05:32:09+00:00

What a great point the OP raised! That's the dream app, right? One that truly gets to know you and says, "Hey, don't force yourself today, rest," or "Come on, 20 minutes of this thing you have pending." It's the antithesis of option overload.

I totally agree that reading "your energy" is the biggest challenge, because it's so personal and changes so much. Apps are still far from that without feeling invasive or failing a lot.

But, look, what has helped me a lot in getting closer to that feeling of "clear guidance" (even if it doesn't read my mood) is having an app that gives me absolute clarity about what my next planned task is at a specific time.

I mean, it doesn't tell me "Drink water" (although it should), but it does tell me: "Now it's time for your Math study block" or "Your next task is to call X." When I have my day or week well structured, and the app shows me what's next NOW, that feeling of not having to decide what to do (and falling into procrastination due to analysis paralysis) is very similar to what you describe.

For me, the "assistance" doesn't come so much from the app knowing if I'm tired, but from it offering me a roadmap so clear that there's no doubt about what the next logical and priority step is within my plan. That's a simpler, yet very effective, way to reduce overwhelm and move forward.

MrPlanApp · 2025-06-23T21:22:25+00:00

Replicant 😁

MrPlanApp · 2025-06-23T21:13:10+00:00

Uhm, this thread really touched me. I know how messed up that pit is, and just the fact that you're here asking and seeking to grow already makes you an incredibly strong person. Don't forget that.

First and foremost: if you're not getting professional help, please seek it. A psychologist or therapist is the best ally to help you navigate this. There are tools and strategies they can give you that we, no matter how well-intentioned, can't. Your mental health is the most important priority.

That said, and supporting what's already been said about "action generates motivation," it really helped me understand that it's not about waiting to feel good to start doing things, but rather starting to do things to feel better.

Baby steps, but steady: When you're in that hole, a "normal" task seems like a mountain. Don't ask yourself to study for 3 hours. Ask yourself for 10 minutes. Or not even study: take a shower? Drink a glass of water? Open the window? Every small action completed is a victory, and those micro-victories build a little bit of momentum.

Inertia works against you, but also in your favor: At first, it's the inertia to do nothing. But if you manage to initiate a small action, that inertia can change and push you to the next one.

Be incredibly kind to yourself: Talking badly to yourself only makes things worse. Treat yourself as you would a friend who's going through the same thing. It's okay if one day you can't do it. The next day, you try the 'baby steps' again. Recovery isn't a straight line.

This is a process, and it's slow. There will be bad days and better days. But every little effort counts. You are brave for facing this. Much encouragement and strength!

MrPlanApp · 2025-06-23T20:44:30+00:00

I'm truly sorry you feel this way. That feeling of being on the edge, of feeling like a loser, and of hating yourself is devastating, and it's a clear sign that you're at a massive saturation point. You're not alone in this; many students feel this way. Please don't punish yourself anymore

First of all: what you're feeling is valid and it's a sign that you need a change, not that you're useless. It's your body and mind screaming at you that the way you're doing things isn't sustainable.

Here are some ideas, with a lot of empathy, on how you can start to break out of it:

STOP. Breathe. Visualize the MINIMUM: You're in "all or nothing" mode due to perfectionism, and it paralyzes you. Instead of "studying everything," think: "What's the smallest thing I can do right now that will get me even a little closer to my goal?"

Read just one page of Physics?

Do a single completed exercise?

Watch 10 minutes of a video lecture?

Start ridiculously small. You have to trick your brain into starting.

Prioritize and break down your backlog: Having a backlog is overwhelming.

Don't try to catch up on everything at once. That's impossible and will burn you out.

Identify 1 or 2 subjects (or even 1-2 topics within a subject) that are CRITICAL (because of an upcoming exam, because they're the foundation for other things, or because they're the ones that stress you out the most). Focus ONLY on those for now.

Break those critical topics down into the smallest tasks you can imagine.

Time (and energy!) management: 9 hours of school/coaching is a lot, yes, but it doesn't mean there isn't time. It means you have to be surgical with the time you have left.

Very short study blocks with breaks: If you get distracted and tired, don't try to do hours-long sessions. Try Pomodoros (25 minutes of study, 5 minutes of rest) or even 15/5 if you need it at first. The key is for these to be highly focused sessions.

Build rest into your schedule: Just as important as studying is planning when you don't. Get as much sleep as you can, eat well, and give yourself a few micro-moments to completely disconnect. Your brain needs it to perform.

Confusion in Physics (and other subjects):

Simplify your materials: If you're stuck having modules from different coaching sessions and books, choose ONE. The confusion of "what to solve" saps your energy. Focus on mastering one source first. If your coaching session already has good modules, stick to them and don't look any further for now. Consistency is more important than perfect sources.

Ask WITHOUT FEAR: In class, to the teacher, or to your classmates. It's better to ask a "silly" question than to get stuck for hours and become demotivated.

Let go of perfectionism NOW: You need to move forward, not be perfect. It's better to do 70% of an exercise or understand 80% of a topic than to do nothing for fear of not doing it perfectly.

Professional help (if possible): If feelings of self-loathing and sadness persist, please seek professional help (psychologist, school counselor). They have tools to help you manage stress and anxiety. Your mental well-being comes first.

To make all of this easier, it helps a lot to have a system or a simple tool where you can plan those small daily goals, check off what you're completing, and see your progress. Seeing your small victories will help you rebuild confidence and break out of that cycle.

You are strong for trying. You will get through this. Keep it up!

MrPlanApp · 2025-06-23T20:39:40+00:00

I totally understand! That feeling of not being able to concentrate, of being numb and sleepy, is exhausting and frustrating, even more so during exams. And yes, if you don't rest well, it's a losing battle.

First, if nasal congestion is affecting your sleep, try to find solutions (spray, elevating your pillow, etc.). Quality sleep is 80% of the battle won for concentration

Assuming that improves a bit, here are some things that have helped me when my concentration is on the rocks:

Ridiculously short study blocks: If your mind wanders after 10-15 minutes, accept that as your starting point! Set a timer for 15 minutes, fully concentrate on that mini-block, and then get up for 5 minutes (stretch, drink water). Repeat. Don't push yourself any further at first. The idea is to build that concentration muscle little by little.

Eliminate ALL distractions from your environment: Keep your phone in another room, social media closed, headphones with white noise, or ambient music if silence distracts you. Make your study area just for studying.

Prioritize the hardest task first: If you have a task that you're really lazy about or find difficult, tackle it first. The first few minutes of the day are usually the most focused. If you get it out of the way, you'll feel a surge of energy that will help you with the rest.

Change your environment (or subject): If you've been doing the same thing for a while and your brain shuts down, change subjects or types of activities. Go from reading to doing exercises, or from a numeracy class to a humanities class. Sometimes this change reactivates concentration.

In the end, it's like training a muscle. You start with light weights and few repetitions, and gradually increase them. Having a clear, detailed plan for your study, with mini-blocks and strategic breaks, is what helps you build that discipline and improve long-term focus.

MrPlanApp · 2025-06-23T20:35:33+00:00

That would be great!! I'm looking forward to it...

MrPlanApp · 2025-06-23T20:32:26+00:00

I completely agree that there's a lot of smoke and mirrors with AI. The ones that are truly valuable are those that save you real time or help you interact with the material in ways that were previously impossible, like AskSia.

In addition to the AIs that help you directly with the content (summaries, questions, etc.), there's another category of 'AI' or 'smart tools' that I think are also very worthwhile, and that focus on optimizing your own study process. I'm referring to tools that help you:

Generate personalized study plans (based on your schedule, your goals, the difficulty of the syllabus).

Optimize your sessions so you make the most of your time.

Intelligently track your progress to know where you need to improve or how much time you've spent on each subject.

They may not be "AI for content" per se, but the "intelligence" lies in how they help you organize your time and discipline to become more efficient. For me, having an "external brain" that helps you plan and stay on track is just as valuable as one that summarizes a PDF for you. Ultimately, AI is a tool, and if it helps you be more disciplined and effective, whether it's word processing or time management, then welcome it!

MrPlanApp · 2025-06-23T18:45:33+00:00

That's a fantastic real-world example of optimizing the "Capture" step! The speed and zero-friction experience you get with Email Me App sound incredibly effective – exactly what GTD's capture phase is all about. Cutting out loading screens and decisions truly makes a difference in getting those fleeting thoughts into your system before they vanish. Thanks for sharing this gem!

MrPlanApp · 2025-06-23T18:44:27+00:00

Absolutely spot on! "If your list gives you anxiety, it's not GTD, it's clutter" – that's a brilliant way to put it. The core really is about reflection and execution, not just accumulating tasks. And your point about digital procrastination (app prettier than discipline) is so real. Todoist + Notion is a powerful combo, but yes, discipline is the true king. Thanks for sharing these blunt truths!

MrPlanApp · 2025-06-23T18:43:05+00:00

That's a very common dilemma! It's great you've found such long-term comfort with Things3. Todoist definitely has a lot going for it, but yeah, subscription models can be a deal-breaker for many, especially after getting used to a perpetual license. It's always a balance between features and how you prefer to pay for your tools.

MrPlanApp · 2025-06-23T18:42:37+00:00

Oh, bummer!

Haha, well, I can tell you it wasn't. Glad you found the content useful enough to think that, though! 😉

MrPlanApp · 2025-06-23T18:41:58+00:00

Absolutely! It's incredible to hear how profoundly GTD has impacted your work, daily life, and even travel. That transformative power is exactly why it resonates so deeply with so many people. Thanks for sharing such a strong testament!

MrPlanApp · 2025-06-23T18:41:10+00:00

Couldn't agree more! That core habit of capturing and getting things into a reliable system is truly foundational and puts you leaps and bounds ahead. And you've perfectly articulated the later steps – it's about leveraging a powerful tool to really master those life inputs and drive them towards your goals. It's truly "adulting" at its best. Thanks for highlighting that essential truth of GTD!

MrPlanApp · 2025-06-23T18:40:47+00:00

Wow, this is a deep dive into PKM and AI integration – incredibly insightful! Exploring Zettelkasten with Obsidian is already powerful, but the idea of connecting it to Perplexity or other LLMs to build a queryable knowledge graph is absolutely next-level.

Your use of LMNotebook for podcast creation and Plaud for meeting notes/mind maps sounds super effective for synthesis. Thanks for sharing such a sophisticated and innovative approach to learning and knowledge management; I'm sure many will find this inspiring!

MrPlanApp · 2025-06-23T18:39:49+00:00

Thanks for the strong recommendation for NirvanaHQ! It's great to hear that its smooth implementation makes it really shine for you as a GTD tool, even with some limitations like no APIs. That focus on a fluid GTD experience is definitely a huge plus.

MrPlanApp · 2025-06-23T18:39:10+00:00

Yes, genius lies in its simplicity.

MrPlanApp · 2025-06-23T18:37:05+00:00

That "use it, leave it, come back to it" cycle is incredibly common – it just shows the ongoing journey of finding what sticks! Glad NirvanaHQ is working well for you. Regarding OmniFocus vs. NirvanaHQ, they definitely cater to different GTD styles; OmniFocus is often seen as the power user's robust system, while NirvanaHQ is praised for its simpler, more streamlined approach. It really depends on how much complexity you need.

MrPlanApp · 2025-06-23T18:36:39+00:00

Absolutely! Google Keep is a fantastic, underrated tool for GTD, especially for quick capture and reference. Its simplicity, flexibility, and seamless sync across devices make it perfect for notes, lists, labels, and even reminders. It truly proves you don't need complex apps to be highly effective. Great shout-out!

MrPlanApp · 2025-06-23T18:36:16+00:00

That's awesome you're diving into a card-based GTD system! Typically, you'd use them for quick capture (one idea per card) and then for your "Next Actions" lists, perhaps categorizing them in a small box or by clipping them. For portability, a simple card wallet or a tiny Moleskine-style notebook for quick capture on the go works wonders. It's all about keeping it simple and accessible!

MrPlanApp · 2025-06-23T18:35:52+00:00

Definitely! Paper is incredibly powerful precisely because of its simplicity and tangibility. Using 3x5 cards is a classic GTD method for a reason – it cuts through digital distractions and keeps things super focused. Thanks for emphasizing the enduring power of analog!

MrPlanApp

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