Software as a Second Self (SaaS2)

These days, most of our individual and collective workload comes to us digitally. As we become more and more overwhelmed with the content and demand that comes with living in a digital world, we increasingly need tools that support our overworked brains and restore balance and focus. 

This is one of the many reasons I love new software, especially when product teams manage to embed intelligence and thoughtfulness into the user experience. Here are some examples:  fantastical notion superhuman otter  roam research fibery smartsheet  mural 

Applications like this bring me closer to what my brain needs: reliability, connection and a sense of order. They also allow me to multi-task more effectively by switching contexts effortlessly, giving me more capacity for focus and creativity. 

That’s not to say that tools are always effective! Recently I lost some content on a new application which threw me off-track for days. Before trying again, I needed to understand what had happened - and what I could do - to make sure it didn’t happen again. 

What I learned from this experience was that this ‘breakdown’ had occurred for two reasons; shortcomings in the software’s design, as well as my own lack of experience and mastery in the tool.

Using tools in the right way is crucial to getting the most out of them, otherwise they can cause more stress than good. 

When the tools are working well, they become a valuable extension of me that helps process the backlog of raw ideas and 'data' that has accumulated inside of me.

How about you? What tools have you found that help ease overwhelm and restore your focus?