In the age of self-improvement, we may feel pressured to always aim for better results, quicker problem-solving, and easier solutions. The good news is that achieving high productivity is easier if you know how to make the most of your device’s capabilities.
Mac users typically fall into two camps: one group runs their devices smoothly, experiencing minimal technical issues, no matter the task. The other group faces consistent performance problems and struggles with even basic device functions.
People in the second category usually pay the price for not keeping up with their Macs. True productivity starts when you care for the Mac and make the most out of its features.
1. CleanMyMac — Keeping the health of Mac in order
High productivity starts with smooth and fast device performance. That’s where CleanMyMac comes in.
Users manage to complete tasks even when the Mac struggles and accumulates junk. However, this process becomes much easier, with files opening in seconds and no annoying spinning rainbow wheel. Our device stores stale cache files, remnants of deleted apps, unused language, log, and duplicated files, orphaned app data, and old iOS backups. They all consume gigabytes of memory and degrade the Mac’s performance.
CleanMyMac lets you solve this problem. It refreshes your device with a single click. The app scans the system and surfaces clutter that macOS hides. Files that take up space and damage the device are deleted instantly. It’s very satisfying to see backups and old files gone, with space now free for what you need.
And there is more to that. CleanMyMac monitors your Mac’s health in real time and flags performance issues before any serious problems arise. It also has built-in malware protection. This feature silently runs in the background, blocking all suspicious files and providing you with a truly safe space to work.
2. Amazing Marvin — Turning the workflow into a journey
We have covered device health and its effect on productivity. Now, it’s time to strategize the workflow for comfort and ease. Our next app, Amazing Marvin, is a task manager that helps you create a workflow tailored to your needs.
What makes it outstanding is the ability to turn the work process into an exciting experience. Each app feature helps users complete the task in the way they find most effective and rewarding. For example, one can turn the time-tracking system on or off or set a bonus system to earn points for any newly accomplished task. The system even tracks when you exceed your capacities and alerts you. Amazing Marvin can walk users through the especially time-consuming tasks that may spark a procrastination episode. If everything seems to be too urgent, here is a Focus Picker for you.
Besides anticipated features like breaking tasks into smaller assignments, tracking progress, and managing backlogs, Amazing Marvin adds customization and turns the workflow into a journey.
3. Hookmark — Get access to important things instantly
If you actively work in a team where people comment and refer to various files in the course of the project, Hookmark will save you lots of time.
This app, initially created for writers and publishers, enables users to link to all kinds of content they keep on their Macs. It’s just like bookmarking, but better. You easily connect pieces of various formats on your device.
Is there a need to share a piece of information from one of numerous emails? Or do you want to show your colleague a section of the large PDF? Just create a link to them and be done in no time. Even if you are freelancing and not working with many people at the moment, swift access to the necessary files, documents, tasks, and drafts from different projects would definitely boost your productivity.
The app runs with a hotkey to bring up the Hookmark window and immediately jump to linked resources. Users can also create their own library, saving all links and organizing them in the desired order.
4. Raycast — Command center of your device
Raycast is one of the biggest productivity busters. Just like the Hookmark, it saves your time while you work on routine tasks. And trust us, these mundane things are time-thieves. Raycast acts as a command center for your device.
You press a keyboard shortcut and get the opportunity to complete various assignments via a single search bar. Check out the next meeting, open a file, pull a task from Notion without opening the app, look up information on Google or YouTube without opening a browser, jump straight into the Slack channel where you have an unread message, empty the Trash, and even check your CPU memory usage. Sounds impressive, and this is all without really opening any separate folder or browser.
Raycast indeed is well-known for having a massive library of add-ons built by the community that connect it to practically every tool you use. It significantly improves task management and helps you work without any distractions. Add the AI assistant, the clipboard history, and available quicklinks, and your work routine is taken to the next level.
5. Lungo — An app you didn’t know you needed
Lungo simply keeps your Mac awake.
Thanks to the one-click activation, your device will stay active for as long as you need. The app is indispensable when users download big files, watch something, or run long presentations. Lungo doesn’t let Macs go into sleep mode in the middle of your crucial task. While this app may not directly boost your productivity, it excels at troubleshooting a specific yet very common frustration users face. Remove distractions, and your performance will improve.
Reaching the top productivity mode is possible when several important conditions are met: your device is flying, users can tailor the workflow according to their vision, and simple tasks don’t steal time. Try various well-known and less obvious Mac apps to boost your productivity and see what works best for you. Troubleshoot distractions, look for solutions that can be customized, and let you perform daily tasks effortlessly.
