10 Useful Sites for Fun and Productivity
There is something for everyone in this collection of worth-the-visit websites. Some will increase your productivity, some are just for fun, but once you try them, we bet you’ll wonder what you ever did without them.
Productivity Owl
If your productivity wanes from too much time randomly searching the web or checking Facebook, Productivity Owl will keep you on track. Productivity Owl, an extension of Google Chrome, allows you to create lists of allowed and forbidden websites during work hours. When you become unproductive lingering too long on a webpage, the owl swoops in and clears your tabs to get you back on track.
Coursera
If you regret not taking more marketing classes—or any other class—in college, or never had the opportunity to attend, you can attend courses in a myriad of subject areas through Coursera. The classes, many of them free, last several weeks and are taught online from the top schools in the country.
Hemingway
How does your writing stack up in a world where social media jargon and college English 101 collide? You might find out that you write emails at a 4th grade level. Hemingway Editor, available in App and desktop versions, analyzes your emails and business writing for readability and complexity. Copy a writing sample into the App and in return receive suggestions to improve your work.
Trello
If you like lists, you will love Trello. Use Trello to create virtual bulletin boards that list your projects, to-do lists, track due dates, and share your board with your whole organization.
DuoLingo
If you’ve always dreamed of learning to speak Italian, or have a business trip coming up for which you need to master some simple German phrases, duoLingo will hook you up. Choose your language and your pace, and duoLingo teaches you key words and phrases up to 50 times per day.
Creative Market
You don’t need to employ an entire creative department if you use Creative Market. Give zip to your newsletter with a new font, or add pizzazz to your blog or website with a creative, ready-to-use WordPress theme or photos.
Tasting Table
This website caters to foodies who have trouble deciding if they live to eat or eat to live.
Make this the first stop when searching for a restaurant in Dubai, a recipe for London Fog tea, or culinary events in your hometown. Beware: do not visit this website if you are calorie-counting.
Unroll.Me
Untangling the string of unwanted emails in your inbox just got easier with Unroll.Me. You probably don’t recall when or why you signed up for all those digital newsletters, but they send you a steady stream of unwanted emails every day. Sign up and let Unroll.Me simplify your inbox.
Eventbrite
Eventbrite is the go-to site to find every event from social activities to business conferences. Make valuable connections at local networking, sporting and arts events with the click of a mouse. Or create an event for your business such as a job fair or seminar.
Lumosity
Rather than waste your brain cells and precious downtime reading about the Kardashian antics du jour, increase your brainpower with brain-training games at Lumosity. Neuroscientists from top universities designed Lumosity’s brain training exercises to improve your attention, memory, and problem-solving skills.
Bonus:
When you need a few moments not to be productive but simply to BE, you need CALM. Select your favorite tranquility-inspiring music and images, set the timer, and meditate for anywhere from two to twenty minutes. Soothing piano music, loons calling, and the sounds of a mountain stream will quiet your soul even on the craziest of days.