“A place for everything, and everything in its place.”
This saying is great in theory but for forgetful types, organization can prove tricky. I’m the kind of person who’s constantly forgetting where I last set down my phone, regularly second-guessing where I parked my car, and who occasionally swaps out the milk for the cereal in the fridge.
When it comes to managing my daily to-do lists, if I don’t have my blogging ideas and rough drafts saved in highly organized and labeled folders, I’m likely to forget about them completely.
So from one forgetful person to another, here are 12 awesome apps that can help you remember pretty much anything.
Evernote (Web, iOS, and Android)
For the creative mind looking for a one-stop app that covers to-do lists, notes, pictures, articles, etc., this is the one for you. This well-known app allows you to store anything you might need and then search through your database of stored items to quickly find the things you want to remember.
When an important task slips away from memory, reminders in Evernote can help. Pin notes to the top of your note list and also add a timed alert to prompt you when the note is due, via in-app notifications, a badge on your mobile app or an opt-in email.Ticking off checklists is also a handy tool against forgetfulness.
Evernote is great for remembering articles that you wanted to read, writing short notes to yourself or snapping pictures of things that inspire you. It also allows you to write long, detailed notes; so if you’ve been meaning to publish a novel or write a screenplay, Evernote will help you remember those ideas, too. From smoother note-taking to managing meetings, Evernote is a heavy-lifter.
Instapaper (Web, iOS, Android)
With busy lifestyles and work schedules, it’s easy to see an article you want to read but then forget to return to it on your free time. Instapaper allows you to save the articles that you want, which makes keeping up with news and cultural happenings a breeze. The app even allows you to download the article via the Internet and then view it offline later when Wi-Fi’s not available.
Using Instapaper is one way to crack information overload with deferred reading. It also lets you highlight phrases and sentences so you can nail key discussion points and find important parts of the articles more easily. Rather than being the quite guy (or gal) in the corner, you can join in on whatever conversation your coworkers or family memmbers are discussing.
You can also get a premium account for $2.99 a month, or about $30 a year.
DataVault (iOS and Android, $9.99)
With so many required characters, numbers and symbols, passwords are getting more and more sophisticated. This may be great for security purposes, but it can make remembering passwords a challenge. DataVault securely maintains all of your passwords in one tidy app, allowing for safe (and less stressful) account management.
You won’t have to play the which-password-did-i-use-for-this-account game, which means no embarrasing “too many wrong passwords” messages and no wasted time.
Remember the Milk (Web, iOS, Android, Free)
This free task manager with an easy to use interface truly lets you keep track of the items on your to-do list with ease. Not only can you list each responsibility and mark it complete as you go, but the app also allows for prioritization among tasks and notification features.
By prioritizing all of your to-do lists in one place, you can better manage everything you have to do for work, home and in between (aka remembering milk on the way home from work). What’s more, Remember The Milk has an easy Evernote sync feature so you can track your notes across multiple platforms.
You can also get the Pro version for $25 a year.
CleverCards (iOS and Android, Free)
This app syncs with your Facebook profile and notifies you when your friends’ birthdays are drawing close – but it also takes the Happy Birthday messages one step further. CleverCards uses Facebook photos to create custom birthday cards, which you can then print and mail, or send via email in time for the big day.
Additionally, CleverCards can track the Events you are a part of on Facebook and create custom greeting cards for those, too. Not only will you be able to remember your boss’s birthday, but you’ll also remember to send a card for the next coworker’s baby shower, your friends’ sister’s college graduation and your cousin’s housewarming party.
ScatterBrain (iOS, $0.99)
If the idea of labeling and organizing items is what helps you remember them best, but your brain is just too overloaded to make this a reality, ScatterBrain is a recommended app. ScatterBrain lets you color code, label and search within all of those important deadlines, obligations and notes. Its attractive interface makes the process all the more enjoyable, while helping you stay on top of your game.
Have to-do lists you need to get through for various clients at work? Color code them by company and manage each client’s to-do list from the palm of your hand. This is ideal for people who travel a lot or are constantly on the go to different meetings and work-related events.
Do It (Tomorrow) (iOS and Android, Free)
If you love putting things off until tomorrow, this app was designed with you in mind. Procrastinators will revel in Do It (Tomorrow), which allows you to postpone tasks until the next day, sync databases and continue to put off those obligations like a pro (without forgetting them altogether).
While it’s best to try to realistically set your goals for each day, sometimes it’s just not possible to make it through you entire to-do list. With Do It (Tomorrow), you can simply shuffle items around to the next day, feel good about what you accomplish today, and still complete those less-important items tomorrow.
Countdown+ Event Reminders Lite (iOS and Android, Free)
With so many little details to remember each day, those big events can sometimes fly right under the radar. Fortunately, this app keeps track of those approaching life moments for you. Featuring a countdown format that helps you stay aware of nearing birthdays, anniversaries, parties and whatever else you need to remember, this resourceful app keeps your social life and career in check with no fuss.
Not only will you not forget important events with Countdown+ Event Reminders, you’ll also be more aware of how many days are left until said event, which means you’ll be able to better manage gift-buying, card sending and event planning, too.
bytNotes (Android, $0.99)
If you’re always struggling to remember that important thing you just had to tell someone, fret no more. bytNotes allows for a simple reminder to pop up on your phone when the person contacts you, helping you to remember those vital details with ease. When you create a note in bytNotes, you then have the option ot link it to multiple contacts in your address book, so you can remember exactly what you wanted to tell those people, or what you wanted to remember about them.
If you’re like me and are especially bad with putting names to faces, bytNotes could also be a super handy tool for remembering that “coworker on the third floor with the office plant” is named Chelsea. Esentially, whatever you want to remember about whomever is possible with the help of bytNotes.
TripList (iOS, Free)
Vacations are incredible, but packing for them? Not so much. That’s why this app is so useful. TripList allows you to document everything you’ll need on that cruise or retreat, making the process of packing far less stressful.
No more showing up at the hotel only to realize your phone charger is still on the coutner, or that check-in time is actually still three hours away. With TripList, you can cut out the frantic running around the house at the last second by making your vacation list well in advance, and then camly packing for it in the week leading up to the big day. You can even set notifications and reminders to alert you to when you need to start packing.
TripList also offers a Pro version, available for $2.99.
Check (iOS and Android, Free)
Keeping up with bills is a daunting task, and this app allows you to breathe easier and rest assured that you won’t overlook any due dates. The app tracks your bills for you and sends reminders when bills are due.
In addition, you can pay your bills through the app with a simple click. The app also conveniently notifies you if funds are getting low or if your credit is reaching its limit to avoid any related hassles.
Wunderlist (iOS and Android, Free)
This app is perfect for anyone who loves a good to-do list. Not only can you make the lists you need and set up helpful reminders on an easy interface, but you can also share lists with friends, family members and coworkers. The people you share your lists with can also collaborate on your lists with you, so planning surprise parties and office events is easier and more well-rounded.
Wunderlist also allows you to set reminders so the app will notify you when deadlines are approaching or when you need to act on one of your lists. After all, lists are fun, but they won’t do you any good if you forget the deadline of what you’re planning.
Wunderlist also has a Pro version, available for about $5 a month or $50 a year.
Tackling our brain’s weaknesses has never been easier thanks to the advent of these apps (and even memory training apps). It’s okay to be forgetful, but it does have its inconveniences. As long as you can remember to download these apps, many of those inconveniences will now be a thing of your past.
What other apps do you use to help you remember things? I’d love to hear about them in the comments section below!
No comments:
Post a Comment