A curated collection of tools that have transformed the digital workflow, boosted productivity, and helped maintain my digital wellbeing of Jesper Dramsch.
Here's my personal experience with each tool and why I find them invaluable.
These tools form the backbone of my daily organization and task management:
I use Notion as my second brain, storing everything from project plans to research notes. Its flexibility lets me create custom dashboards for different areas of my life, and the database features help me track everything from books I've read to project timelines.
This is my central planning hub. I color-code different types of activities and use multiple calendars to separate personal, work, and project commitments. The mobile app's widgets keep me on track throughout the day.
The gamification aspect has helped me stick to habits that I previously struggled with. I particularly love how it turns mundane tasks into rewarding quests, making habit formation feel like an adventure rather than a chore.
FancyZones has revolutionized how I organize windows on my screen, and PowerRename saves me countless hours when managing files. And anyone coming from Mac will love Alt + Space just as much as me with the PowerLauncher. Finally, the keyboard manager lets me create custom shortcuts that match my workflow perfectly.
Tools that eliminate repetitive tasks from my workflow:
Tasker (Android)
I use Tasker to automate my phone's behaviour based on time, location, and other contexts. It automatically silences my phone during meetings and turns on my work apps when I reach the office.
Setting up a new PC used to take days - now it takes hours. I maintain a script of all my essential software, making system setup and updates a breeze.
Make.com (formerly Integromat)
I use Make to automate my content workflow, from social media posts to email newsletters. Its visual interface makes it easy to understand complex automation flows.
This has transformed my development workflow, automating everything from testing to deployment. I particularly love using it for automated website updates.
A game-changer for repetitive typing. I use it for everything from email templates to code snippets, saving hours of typing time each week. I haven't typed my own signature in ages...
I use Syncthing to keep my files synchronized across all my devices without relying on cloud services. It's replaced my need for Dropbox or Google Drive for personal files, giving me complete control over my data. The ability to selectively sync different folders to different devices is incredibly useful - my photos sync to my home server but not my work laptop, while my research papers sync everywhere. I particularly love how it handles conflicts and version control, making it safe to work on files from multiple devices. The initial setup takes some technical knowledge, but once it's running, it's completely reliable and just works in the background.
Essential tools for a better internet experience:
My browser of choice for its perfect balance of privacy and functionality. The container tabs feature helps me separate different aspects of my online life.
Running Pi-hole on my network has not only blocked ads but noticeably improved my internet speed. The network-wide protection means every device benefits automatically.
Essential for late-night work sessions. It makes every website easy on the eyes and helps maintain my sleep schedule by reducing blue light exposure.
Developer tools for efficient coding:
My go-to editor for everything from quick scripts to large projects. The extensive marketplace of extensions lets me customize it perfectly for each programming language I use.
Beyond just code storage, I use GitHub for project management, documentation, and collaboration. The issues and projects features help keep everything organized.
This site has saved me countless times when I've made Git mistakes. It's written in a way that makes complex Git operations understandable.
Tools that help me maintain concentration and productivity:
I schedule Freedom sessions during my deep work periods. The inability to access distracting sites helps me maintain focus for hours at a time.
This extension has dramatically reduced my mindless social media scrolling while still allowing me to use necessary features of these platforms.
The sense of community and accountability has helped me maintain a consistent writing practice.
I use Focusmate whenever I need extra accountability for important tasks. The human connection makes it much easier to stay focused.
The focus music helps me get into flow state quickly. I especially appreciate the variety of sounds for different types of work.
Tools that keep me moving and healthy:
This app completely changed how I view running. Instead of dreading cardio, I look forward to discovering the next chapter in the story. The zombie chases provide natural interval training, and I've found myself running longer distances just to hear what happens next.
I love using this when I'm traveling or can't make it to the gym. It keeps workouts fresh and challenging by creating unique combinations each time. The bodyweight focus means I can work out anywhere, and the ability to specify available equipment helps me make the most of whatever I have on hand. The exercise demonstrations ensure proper form even for movements I haven't tried before.
Strava turns every run or ride into a social experience. I mostly use it as a GPS tracker though honestly.
Apps that support my emotional and mental wellbeing:
I start each day with a Headspace meditation. The variety of courses helps me address specific challenges, from work stress to sleep issues.
This app has helped me become more aware of my emotional patterns and triggers, leading to better self-regulation.
The smart alarm has helped me wake up feeling more refreshed, and the sleep tracking gives me valuable insights into my sleep patterns.
Track and analyze your productivity:
The weekly reports help me understand where my time really goes, leading to better time management decisions.
The financial stakes make me think twice before skipping important habits. It's particularly effective for maintaining long-term goals.
Tools for managing social media presence:
Makes managing multiple social media accounts much more efficient. The analytics help me understand what content resonates with my audience. But mostly I just use it as a firehose.
I use Buffer to maintain a consistent social media presence without getting sucked into the platforms themselves.
Perfect for simple automations that connect different services. I use it to automatically share blog posts to social media.
I use LICEcap whenever I need to quickly show someone how to do something. The GIFs it creates are perfect for documentation, bug reports, or quick tutorials. What I love most is how the files are surprisingly small without sacrificing quality, making them perfect for sharing in chat apps or adding to documentation. The ability to show mouse clicks in the recording has been invaluable for creating clear step-by-step guides.
Tools that enhance my writing:
Catches mistakes I might miss and helps maintain a consistent writing style across all my communications.
Helps me keep my writing clear and concise. I usually run all my blog posts through it before publishing.
I use Obsidian as my personal knowledge vault. While Notion is great for collaboration and structured data, Obsidian is my go-to for personal notes and creative writing. The local-first approach means all my notes are just markdown files on my computer, which I love for longevity and portability. The graph view helps me discover connections between ideas I hadn't noticed before, and the backlinks feature has transformed how I organize my thoughts. The ability to embed notes within notes and create visual canvases has made it invaluable for both project planning and creative work. Thanks to the vibrant plugin community, I've customized it to handle everything from daily journaling to research paper management.
Essential tools for video content creation:
The free version offers more than enough features for my needs, and the color grading tools are unmatched.
Great source for B-roll and background music. The subscription model makes it cost-effective for regular content creation.
My go-to source for background music in videos. The clear licensing terms prevent any copyright issues.
Perfect for recording tutorials and streaming. The scene system makes it easy to switch between different layouts.
Essential for optimizing video files for different platforms while maintaining quality.
Tools that keep my digital life secure:
I use Proton Mail for all sensitive communications and appreciate how it integrates with other Proton services for a complete privacy-focused workflow.
This has transformed how I handle passwords. I used to reuse passwords (I know, terrible!), but Bitwarden makes it easy to generate and manage unique, strong passwords for every service.
Makes two-factor authentication manageable across multiple devices. The cloud backup means I never lose access to my accounts.
Automatically learns and blocks trackers without breaking websites. It's a "set and forget" privacy tool.
The most efficient ad blocker I've used. It not only blocks ads but makes web pages load faster.
Ensures I'm always using encrypted connections when available, adding an extra layer of security to my browsing.