A few years ago, I was chatting with a colleague, and he said, “They were simply not given the tools for success” - and that comment struck me.

The tools for success. Think about it: if you’re given a bowl of cereal and milk with a fork, you will have a more challenging time with the experience. Can you get it done? Sure. Scoop up the cereal with the fork and slurp the milk. But using a spoon is the better way, just as there are better tools to produce our work daily. Can we do without these? Sure. But it will be more time-consuming and frustrating. What fun is that? So, the right tools it is.

One of the most effective ways to add productivity to our day is to use Chrome browser extensions. [Worldwide, Google Chrome holds 65.21% of the market, so there is a high percentage you’re reading this on Chrome. The recommendations are also available for other browsers.] I’m sharing 3 of my favorites. I’m currently testing others and will continue to share the best ones. Let’s dig in.

Grammarly Extension. Oh, how I love Grammarly. I write quite a bit - websites, blog posts, newsletters, promotional copy, guides - and I’m not afraid to tell you I used my (self-termed) write-and-wait process. This is when I would write something and wait a few days to come back to it for a deeper review. I resisted Grammarly for years and took the plunge recently. They have a free and a paid version (full transparency: I have the paid). I have no idea why it took me so long! It strengthens my writing in a snap. It’s like I have an ever-present editor, and it’s a welcome addition to my tools.
Clockify Extension. To manage your time, you need to track what you spend time on. I created a Time Review Guide where you can track your daily activities to see how much extra time you have on average per week. However, you may need a more in-depth review. This is where Clockify comes in. The free program lets you clock all your work and personal time - you can see how your day works, including how much time you allot for specific clients or spend on particular projects, or even what distractions take more time than you thought. You can do this for yourself or for your team. I recommend heading to their website to see all the fantastic options and personalization that Clockify offers.
StretchClock Extension. How often have you told yourself, “I need to stretch more”? When I’m at my desk doing focus work, my body tends to stay in one position and tense up. Painful! I found StretchClock to be a perfect reminder to take a break, breathe deeply, and stretch. I can easily adjust the settings for the reminders, and I currently have it at an hour. This is also helpful if you don’t work in an office! Less backache and stress pains equal happier work and personal time. The extension is free and Stretchclock has reasonable paid versions, too.

Visit the Google Chrome store if you’d like to explore more extensions. I wish you a great week filled with productivity!