5 Digital Tools I Can't Live (Or Work) Without

Digital tools have become an important part of our lives, and we use them all the time to save time, stay organized, and get things done. As a designer and writer, I've tried many different tools over the years to suit different needs of mine. I find it interesting to think that many of the tools I now use didn't even exist a decade ago. And now with AI, new tools keep being created every day.

This got me thinking about what digital tools am I using today that I couldn't imagine working without. So, here's my list, in no particular order. Maybe some of these will inspire you to try them too.

1. Reader (Save-It-Later App)

Ever come across an article or video that you wanted to check out but didn't have time for? Reader is the perfect tool for saving and organizing all your readings and video content in one place. With its browser extension, you can save pages with just one click.

The app lets you highlight, take notes, and even view transcripts of videos, making it easy to keep track of what you've consumed.

I use the mobile app regularly to read from whenever I have downtime. It even imports your favorite newsletters so you don't need to save things across multiple platforms. Trust me, it's worth the subscription.

2. Readwise

This is the company that created Reader (and no, they're making me sponsor them, I promise). It takes all the highlights and notes you've saved and keeps them organized for you. It even connects to your favorite notetaking tool like Notion, Roam, Obsidian, or Tana (which I use).

I can import content from my Twitter, Medium, and Kindle, automatically. Readwise works great with Reader as I save so much time since they make sure that everything I read or save ends up in my Tana workspace where everything lives.

3. Tana

Tana has become my favorite tool for managing knowledge, projects, and everything in between. Before using it, I would struggle to capture and organize information from the things I read or watched in a meaningful way.

With Tana, I can store everything—from notes and ideas to project plans and goals—all in one place.

For me, what makes Tana special is its "super-tag" system, which lets you organize how you like it. There was a bit of a learning curve at the start, but once I got the hang of it, I can't stop using it.

In the future, I want to share a detailed essay of specific things I use Tana for to give you a better idea of what it can do.

4. ChatGPT

People have mixed feelings about ChatGPT. Some love it, others hate it, and there are those in between. For me in general, I find it to be helpful in my work process. I've used ChatGPT since it launched, including the paid Plus version.

The thing with ChaptGPT is it works best when you feed it with good input. You've got to put in the work. The result can be bland if you give it shallow, obscure, or almost nothing data. But if you share a draft or details about a project, it can give you helpful suggestions.

I love using it as a "thinking partner" to ask questions or brainstorm ideas. For example, if I'm unsure of how to start a project, I'll ask ChatGPT for starting points or ways to improve my writing after giving it a draft. Sometimes, I even ask it to rewrite things in the style of my favorite authors just for fun times sake.

5. Adobe Illustrator

As a designer, I've used Illustrator for years for client work and personal projects. It has been my go-to tool for creating logos, icons, posters, and social media graphics. A free alternative tool to Illustrator would be Figma, but I'm faster and more comfortable with Illustrator because I know a lot of the shortcuts.

Honorable Mentions

• Timer Tab
  When I feel like spending too much time on something, I use Timer Tab to set a time limit. It helps me stay focused on my tasks. And you don't have to download an app as you can access it directly through the browser.
• Kit (formerly ConvertKit)
  This is my favorite email marketing tool. I switched from Substack to Kit because it offers better features, like free email sequences, automation, and better data on forms and landing pages. They also rebranded, including the name change, and introduced a new UI on their website, which I like.
• Around
  Around feels like the fun version of Zoom and Microsoft Teams. It's simple to use, its UI doesn't overwhelm me, and I've never felt fatigued after using it. It has a virtual campfire feature, which is cool, and you can play games while you're taking breaks in meetings.

Final Thoughts

I could've included more tools, but I wanted to highlight the ones I'm actively using today. As new tools keep coming up, my list might change in a few years. If these tools piqued your interest, give them a try—who knows, you might find your next favorite digital tool.