Remote work has saved many of us gas money, time, energy, sleep, and more. But a downside of remote work is that a decent chunk of remote work is repetitive and monotonous. So here is a list of software you can utilize to save yourself time and energy.

Pomodoro App - Pomodoro is a time management method that breaks up work into 25 minute intervals with short breaks in between. It was invented by Francesco Cirillo, named after the tomato shaped timer he used. This technique definitely helps me focus and I would highly recommend it for individuals who can't focus.

File Storage Service - You most likely already use one, but I put it on here just in case. Putting your files in one location on the cloud will allow you and your team to have more flexible access to them. File storage services that have the ability to synchronize files will be also extremely helpful in saving you time, as they allow you to edit the same file from any device.

At the end of the day your file storage system of choice will depend on your needs and wants. Google Drive offers a high degree of flexibility and apps, as well as synchronization, but might have less security then other services.

Screenshot Program - I used to press ctrl + screenshot and then go into MS Paint in order to edit the program. In order to save you time, I recommend using a screenshot program like ShareX in order to save yourself from having to crop what you're trying to screenshot.

Clipboard Manager - A clipboard essentially houses what you last copied, cut, and pasted in your computer or phone. You will notice that when you copy something, the last thing you copied will be erased or unaccessible. With a clipboard manager, you have access to your copy and paste history. This will stop you from having to mind numbingly going back to copy something you had uncopied. This type of program has saved me a lot of sanity and time. I personally recommend ClipQ.

Password Manager - I recommend using a password manager program like LastPass l in order to save yourself time from having to remember passwords. Growing up I had only a handful of sites and applications, but now we have so many sites and apps that this is a huge time saver.

Project Management Software - Using software to keep track of your projects like Notion, ClickUp, or more help you keep track of what projects, chores, and obligations you have, whether it be for work or not. I have personally used a wide range of these apps and ClickUp I like the most, due to its flexibility, but also simplicity. These tools often have note taking features as well, allowing you to save time on navigation time.

Directory Search Tools - Ever search for something in your File Explorer and it takes forever? I have had some searches take more than ten minutes. By using a directory search tool like Explorer ++, you can explore your files much faster.

Shortcuts Feature - Utilize the shortcuts feature by right-clicking on an application and then clicking shortcut. This will create an accessible shortcut for you. You can also do something similar by right clicking on an application on the start-menu and clicking “Pin to Start”

Task pane - You can also right-click on an application to add it to your task pane on the bottom of the screen. Use this feature to have your most important and used apps attached to the task pane. This will save you navigation time.

Change your folder icons - If you're anything like me, then you probably have a lot of folders on your desktop and it takes you a while to navigate to the right one. By changing the folder icon, you can find them easier.