3 Apps I Use Every Day (That Changed My Life)

Ayesha Afreen
3 min readMay 22, 2023

--

Today, we’re diving into a strategy I’ve coined the “App Trifecta”. It’s a potential solution for those of you struggling with application overload, a situation where productivity apps ironically become unproductivity apps.

Digital Minimalism is one way to tackle this issue. I’ve boiled down my daily app usage to just three main ones. It’s not so much about the specific apps I use, but why I use them. These three apps have been integral in helping me set goals, take action, and create. They’ve played such a significant role that I’ve managed to quit my 9-to-5 job and carve out a path as a content creator.

1. Notion : The Goal Setter

A Notion Page for my content creation
My Notion Page for Content Creation

Notion is my go-to app for setting goals. Serving as a digital planner and notebook, it’s an all-in-one solution for me. I use it to jot down ideas, plan my content, and keep track of my goals. What I love about Notion is the blank canvas it provides, allowing me to create any kind of template I want. It did have a learning curve, but once I got used to it, I can’t let go of Notion..

2. Google Calendar

Time Blocking with Google Calendar

Google Calendar is where I turn my goals into actionable steps, using time-blocking to schedule my day. I had known about time-blocking for quite some time, but it wasn’t until my 9–5 job that I really made it a habit. Every time I logged into work, the first thing I opened was Google Calendar. Eventually, I decided, why not use the same strategy to work for myself?

3. Canva

This is where I bring my ideas to life. Whether I’m designing social media posts or creating graphics for my blog, Canva has the tools I need to create eye-catching content.

As I said earlier, let’s focus on why I use these apps to help you curate your own App Trifecta!

1. Pick an App to Set Goals

This could be Notion, Todoist, Obsidian, or any other app that helps you organize your thoughts and ideas.

2. Pick an App to Act on the Goals

This could be Google Calendar, Microsoft To-Do, or any other app that helps you manage your time and tasks.

3. Pick An App to Create

If you’ve read ‘Steal Like An Artist’ by Austin Kleon, you’ll understand the power of creation in today’s world. If you haven’t, I highly recommend picking it up! The act of creating can take many forms, whether you’re crafting content for an audience or writing code in your day job.

The third app could be Canva, Figma, or any other app that suits your creative needs. If you’re a student, this might be a note-taking app. If you’re a freelance designer, this might be a design tool.

Remember, the App Trifecta is not about the apps you choose, but about having a system in place that helps you set goals, take action, and create.

So, what’s your App Trifecta?

--

--

Ayesha Afreen

Instagram Content Creator @life.of.aye, writing about slow productivity, as well as my journey as a creator