9 Handy Apps to Get You Organized This Year

All of us could stand to be a little more organized this year. Organization — both at work and at home — leads to less stress, more productivity, and a higher level of success on the whole.

It also enables faster, more efficient task management, too.  And isn’t that something we could all benefit from?

Think of it this way: If getting more organized allows you to shave just one hour of menial work or hassle from your life each week, what could that mean? More time with your kids? An extra workout? Some much-needed extra sleep? It could be life-changing.

So sit back and think about your current organizational status quo. Could it use some tweaking?

These apps to get you organized can help you get on the right track

1. For anything and everything: Evernote

Evernote is an all-in-one organizational app. You can use it to create checklists and to-do lists, take notes, store emails, documents, and other references, or even save and record audio (at a meeting or on a conference call, for example). It’s available on desktop and via mobile app, and you can integrate it with tons of other programs, too, including Gmail, Slack, Outlook, Google Drive, and others to really streamline your work and life. 

2. For better file management: Dropbox

Dropbox is critical in today’s world. Use it to store files, photos, and documents, as well as access them from any device, anywhere in the world (with your password, of course). It’s also a great tool if you’re working remotely in a team, as it keeps you from having to send large files and documents via insecure email or messaging platforms. 

3. For epic to-do lists: Todoist

If you want a simple, easy-to-use to-do list, then Todoist is one of the best apps to get you organized. You can create daily, weekly, and monthly task lists and even add subtasks or collaborators, too. Another great benefit? You can set priority levels for each task (and color code each one as well), so you know what to complete first and by when. 

4. For managing your finances and credit: Mint

Want to get your finances in order this year? Mint is a great way to do it. You can set monthly budgets (including smaller, category-specific ones, like groceries, entertainment, travel, etc.) and then link your bank account to track spending and keep goals in line. The app also offers free credit monitoring, so you’ll always know the impact your financial habits are having on your credit score.

5. For getting those passwords more organized: LastPass

If you’re constantly having to change passwords or just want a safer way to store the ones you already have, consider LastPass — a secure, digital vault designed just for passwords. This one is also available on mobile and desktop (the mobile one’s a must!)

6. For working on the go: Google Docs/Google Drive

This app’s a great one to have if you’re working remotely or just constantly on the go. It allows you to work on living documents from virtually anywhere with WiFi, and you can also grant access to coworkers and colleagues securely with just the click of a button. Google Drive also offers spreadsheets, shareable folders, and many other features that can be handy to have in your back pocket. It’s probably one of the most important apps to get you organized at work.

7. For scanning in documents: ScannerPro or CamScanner

Few of us have scanners these days, but in the era of work-from-home, sharing printed documents is often a necessity. These apps make that task a breeze — without any heavy, expensive, or bulky equipment. Just use your phone’s camera to snap a photo, and send it as a PDF or image file to whomever you’d like. ScannerPro and CamScanner can be great apps to get you organized if you’re thinking of refinancing your mortgage or buying a home this year, too (for all that financial documentation!)

8. For tracking your time: Toggl 

Want to just be more productive or efficient? Try out Toggl. This time-tracking app helps you monitor how much time you’re spending on a project or, if you’re a freelancer or contractor, track billable time for more accurate invoicing. You can even download reports of your time use or view across devices.

9. For managing projects and teams: Trello

If you’re working on several collaborative projects or just with several disparate clients or teams, Trello can be a huge asset. Its bulletin-board-like style is extremely intuitive and easy to use, and it has built-in features like deadlines, commenting, checklists, and more. You can also attach documents, photos, and other items to each “card” on your boards. 

The bottom line about getting more organized

Is getting better organized on your list of 2021 to-dos? Fortunately, you don’t have to go it alone. These nine apps can help streamline your efforts and ease the hassle.