1.0AHA Factoryhttps://ahafactory.de/en/mbainbridgehttps://ahafactory.de/en/blog/author/mbainbridge/rich600338<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="jFdTSWg9Gf"><a href="https://ahafactory.de/en/blog/drowning-in-digital-tools/">Drowning in Digital Tools</a></blockquote><iframe sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" src="https://ahafactory.de/en/blog/drowning-in-digital-tools/embed/#?secret=jFdTSWg9Gf" width="600" height="338" title="“Drowning in Digital Tools” — AHA Factory" data-secret="jFdTSWg9Gf" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" class="wp-embedded-content"></iframe><script type="text/javascript"> /* <![CDATA[ */ /*! This file is auto-generated */ !function(d,l){"use strict";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&"undefined"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!/[^a-zA-Z0-9]/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),c=new RegExp("^https?:$","i"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display="none";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute("style"),"height"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):"link"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute("src")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener("message",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll("iframe.wp-embedded-content"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute("data-secret"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+="#?secret="+t,e.setAttribute("data-secret",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:"ready",secret:t},"*")},!1)))}(window,document); //# sourceURL=https://ahafactory.de/wp-includes/js/wp-embed.min.js /* ]]> */ </script> https://ahafactory.de/2020/2020/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/digital-tools-scaled.jpg25601707If you’re like me you’re probably often on the lookout for new tools to streamline your workday. Sometimes this search uncovers some incredible ways to save time or make your life easier in some way. However, sometimes the tools themselves can become a hindrance to your workflow, creating more chaos and sucking time away from your workday. So how do you know for sure if a tool will be helpful before it’s too late? Here are a few tips. If It’s Not Helping, It’s Hurting One of the most difficult things to do when trying a new tool is to know whether the tool is working for you, or whether you’re working for the tool. Remember, the point of these tools is to make your life easier. Very simply, if it's not saving you time, money or increasing your work output in some way, then it is doing the opposite. Keep track of how much time it takes you to finish tasks with the tool as opposed to without. Be honest with yourself as you test the tool. Is it worth the effort? Ask yourself if there are still easier or faster ways to accomplish your tasks. Use, don’t abuse. There are plenty of things you can (and should) still do without using a tool. When Is Enough Enough? How much time should you invest into a tool to know whether it is actually going to be helpful? Unfortunately, there is no one answer. Depending on the tool and the industry you are working in, this may be as little as a few days, or as much as a couple months. One good rule of thumb that I have come to adopt is to trust the “free trial” period. Most of these tools offer a set amount of time for the userContinue reading