I’ve tried many tools. Notion dashboards, habit trackers, fancy to-do apps, “second brains,” browser extensions, morning routines, Pomodoros... all of it.
Some worked. Most didn’t. At some point, I stopped chasing the perfect setup and focused on what actually helped me ship code consistently without burning out.
So here’s a quick breakdown of the tools I still use - and the ones I happily left behind.
✅ What I Actually Use
Notebook. Just one short list per day. No priority labels. No categories.
Anything bigger goes into a project doc. Why? Because the friction is low and I actually look at it.
✅ Kanban for Workflows: Trello or Linear
One column per status: Backlog → Doing → Done
Optional labels, only when needed (don't always add them). Great for team alignment, not as a daily planner.
✅ Timers: 50/10 Rule (Manual Timer)
50 minutes of work, 10-minute break. I literally use the clock on my OS or a physical timer.
No need for an app. Just a reminder to move, stretch, reset.
✅ Docs: Google Docs > Notion
Docs are fast, flexible, and searchable. Notion got too slow, too bloated.
If I need a “dashboard,” I make a Google Doc index page with links. A small tip.
✅ Notifications: Most Are Off
- Slack = is not muted
- Telegram = filtered
- Email = tabbed, checked 2-3 times a day
I protect focus like it’s uptime.
❌ What I Gave Up
- Notion Life Operating System. Tried it. Built one. Spent more time maintaining it than working.
- Habit Trackers. If I need a streak to do something, I probably don’t care enough about it.
- Pomodoro Apps. Turns out I don’t need a tomato emoji to take breaks.
- Multi-app setups. The more tools I used, the more places I had to look before starting work. Just don't need that.
Final Thought
Productivity tools should support your brain, not replace it.
If your stack feels like a second job, it’s probably too heavy.
Start small. Use what works. Let everything else go.
Looking for developers who don’t need micromanagement - just a good brief?
Info-Polus provides top-tier engineers who focus on output, not noise.
We help startups and scaleups build smarter, faster, and more independently.
Check us out at our website!
Top comments (0)