10 Hidden Productivity App Features You’re Not Using
Are you using productivity apps to help you stay organized and focused, but still struggling to get everything done? You’re not alone. Many of us rely on apps like Todoist, Trello, and RescueTime to help us manage our time and tasks, but we often overlook the features that can make them even more powerful.
In this article, we’ll explore 10 hidden productivity app features that you might not be using, and how they can help you boost your productivity, stay on top of your tasks, and achieve your goals.
1. Todoist: Filtering by Label
Todoist is a popular task management app that allows you to create and organize tasks, set deadlines, and track progress. But did you know that you can use labels to filter your tasks and view them in a specific way? For example, you can create a label for "Urgent" and filter your tasks to show only those with that label. This feature helps you prioritize your tasks and stay focused on the most important ones.
To access this feature in Todoist, click on the "Labels" tab and create a new label. Then, click on the "Filter" button and select the label you just created. You can also use multiple labels to create complex filters and view your tasks in different ways.
2. Trello: Power-Ups
Trello is a visual project management tool that uses boards, lists, and cards to organize tasks. But did you know that you can use power-ups to add new functionality to your boards? Power-ups are third-party integrations that can add features like voting, calendar integration, and file sharing.
To access power-ups in Trello, click on the three dots in the top-right corner of the board and select "Power-Ups." You can then browse the available power-ups and install them on your boards.
3. RescueTime: Time Estimates
RescueTime is a time management app that tracks how you spend your time on your computer or mobile device. But did you know that you can use RescueTime to estimate the time it takes to complete tasks? This feature helps you plan your day more accurately and avoid underestimating the time required for a task.
To access this feature in RescueTime, click on the "Reports" tab and select the "Time Estimates" report. You can then view the estimated time required for each task and plan your day accordingly.
4. Evernote: Scanning Text Recognition
Evernote is a note-taking app that allows you to capture and organize text, images, and audio. But did you know that you can use Evernote to scan text and recognize text? This feature helps you extract text from images and PDFs, making it easier to organize and search for information.
To access this feature in Evernote, click on the "+" button and select "Scan" from the dropdown menu. Then, select the image or PDF you want to scan and Evernote will automatically recognize the text.
5. Google Drive: File Sharing with Permissions
Google Drive is a cloud storage service that allows you to store and share files. But did you know that you can use Google Drive to share files with specific permissions? This feature helps you control who can access and edit your files.
To access this feature in Google Drive, right-click on the file you want to share and select "Get link." Then, select the permissions you want to assign to the person you’re sharing with. You can choose from options like "Editor," "Commenter," and "Viewer."
6. Trello: Due Date Reminders
Trello is a visual project management tool that uses boards, lists, and cards to organize tasks. But did you know that you can set due date reminders for tasks in Trello? This feature helps you stay on track and meet deadlines.
To access this feature in Trello, click on the card you want to add a due date reminder to and select the three dots in the top-right corner. Then, select "Due Date" and enter the date you want to be reminded of.
7. Todoist: Priority Matrix
Todoist is a popular task management app that allows you to create and organize tasks, set deadlines, and track progress. But did you know that you can use Todoist’s priority matrix to view your tasks and prioritize them on a grid? This feature helps you quickly identify high-priority tasks and focus on the most important ones.
To access this feature in Todoist, click on the "Tasks" tab and select "Priority Matrix" from the dropdown menu. You can then view your tasks on a grid and prioritize them accordingly.
8. RescueTime: Customized Alerts
RescueTime is a time management app that tracks how you spend your time on your computer or mobile device. But did you know that you can use RescueTime to set customized alerts and notifications? This feature helps you stay focused and avoid distractions.
To access this feature in RescueTime, click on the "Settings" tab and select "Alerts" from the dropdown menu. You can then set customized alerts based on your activity, such as "Stay on task for more than 2 hours" or "Spend more than 30 minutes on social media."
9. Google Drive: Add-ons
Google Drive is a cloud storage service that allows you to store and share files. But did you know that you can use Google Drive add-ons to add new functionality to your files? Add-ons are third-party integrations that can add features like document signing, document tracking, and document conversion.
To access add-ons in Google Drive, click on the gear icon in the top-right corner of the file and select "Get add-ons" from the dropdown menu. You can then browse the available add-ons and install them on your files.
10. Todoist: Task Template
Todoist is a popular task management app that allows you to create and organize tasks, set deadlines, and track progress. But did you know that you can use Todoist to create task templates and reuse them? This feature helps you save time and create new tasks quickly.
To access this feature in Todoist, click on the "Options" tab and select "Task templates" from the dropdown menu. You can then create a new template and reuse it to create new tasks.
Conclusion
These 10 hidden productivity app features can help you boost your productivity, stay on top of your tasks, and achieve your goals. By mastering these features, you can:
- Prioritize tasks and focus on high-priority ones
- Set customizable alerts and notifications
- Create task templates and reuse them
- Use labels to filter your tasks and view them in different ways
- Set due date reminders for tasks
- Use the priority matrix to view tasks and prioritize them on a grid
- Use file sharing with permissions to control who can access and edit your files
- Scanning text recognition to extract text from images and PDFs
- Add-ons to add new functionality to your files
Remember, the key to mastering these features is to try them out and experiment with different settings and configurations. By using these features effectively, you can become more productive, efficient, and successful in your personal and professional life.
