4 Feb 2025

Five Productivity Tools and Tips to Kickstart Your Work Year

Five Productivity Tools and Tips to Kickstart Your Work Year

Returning to work after some time off can feel overwhelming, especially when those “it can wait until January” tasks come flooding back.

That’s why we’ve put together a list of productivity tools and tips to help streamline your workflow and refocus your efforts to help you hit the ground running in 2025.

Try implementing one or more of the below tools into your daily workflow to help make the transition back to work smoother, more efficient, and more enjoyable!


1. Notion: Your All-In-One Workspace

Notion is an online notebook-style tool, that combines note-taking, task management, team collaboration and more in one customisable space. Whether you’re planning personal goals or managing team projects, Notion lets you create your ideal productivity hub.

SD Tip: Use Notion templates to jump-start your workflows, like “Weekly Planner” or “Project Tracker.”


2. Focus Music: Stay in the Zone

Background music tailored for concentration can significantly boost your focus. Apps like Brain.fm and Focus@Will offer AI-curated playlists scientifically designed to improve productivity. Prefer a free option? Explore focus playlists on platforms like Spotify - just search for "Deep Focus" or "Concentration Boost."

SD Tip: Create a custom playlist for your most demanding tasks to help you settle into a productive flow faster.


3. Trello: Organise with Visual Boards

Trello is the perfect tool for creating visual boards to track tasks, assign projects, and keep your to-do list organised. Using templates like “Weekly Planner” can save time and make task tracking a breeze.

SD Tip: Start your year with a "Back-to-Work" board. Add cards for:

• Emails to respond to

• Meetings to prepare for

• Projects to restart


4. Flora: Green Focus

Flora is a free app that helps you stay focused through timed “focus-mode” sessions. The unique twist? While you work, you grow a virtual tree! Leave focus mode early, and your tree will wither, making it a fun yet motivating way to minimise distractions. You can also create in-app to do lists, track your weekly focus habits, and connect with your team to grow your garden together.

SD Tip: Use Flora for time-blocking tasks like clearing your inbox or writing reports. Want more visuals and features? Upgrade to the premium app ‘Forest’ for an enhanced experience.


5. Spark: Get Your Inbox in Order

Feeling overwhelmed by an inbox that’s bursting at the seams with unread emails to reply to? Spark is an email management tool that helps clean up your inbox faster and easier by sorting emails into personal, newsletter and notification categories for easy processing. It also offers features like email scheduling, email reminders and team collaboration on shared drafts and assignments.

SD Tip: Dedicate 15 minutes daily to inbox cleanup using Spark’s smart categorisation to regain control of your workflow.


By incorporating these tools and tips, we hope you’ll not only ease back into work but also set the tone for a productive, stress-free year ahead.


Related News & Insights


Related News & Insights


What Labor’s Election Win Means for HR Careers and Recruitment in 2025

Australia has spoken, and with Labor securing another strong term, the policy environment ahead is shaped by stability, social investment and long term reform. But for HR professionals, this moment is not just political it is deeply practical.

What Labor’s Election Win Means for HR Careers and Recruitment in 2025

Australia has spoken, and with Labor securing another strong term, the policy environment ahead is shaped by stability, social investment and long term reform. But for HR professionals, this moment is not just political it is deeply practical.

What Labor’s Election Win Means for HR Careers and Recruitment in 2025

Australia has spoken, and with Labor securing another strong term, the policy environment ahead is shaped by stability, social investment and long term reform. But for HR professionals, this moment is not just political it is deeply practical.

What Labor’s Election Win Means for HR Careers and Recruitment in 2025

Australia has spoken, and with Labor securing another strong term, the policy environment ahead is shaped by stability, social investment and long term reform. But for HR professionals, this moment is not just political it is deeply practical.

10 Tips for Leaving a Memorable Impression in Meetings

Whether you're presenting, contributing, or just joining the conversation, your presence matters. In this article, we share practical, confidence-boosting tips to help HR professionals stand out, speak with impact, and build credibility in every meeting.

10 Tips for Leaving a Memorable Impression in Meetings

Whether you're presenting, contributing, or just joining the conversation, your presence matters. In this article, we share practical, confidence-boosting tips to help HR professionals stand out, speak with impact, and build credibility in every meeting.

10 Tips for Leaving a Memorable Impression in Meetings

Whether you're presenting, contributing, or just joining the conversation, your presence matters. In this article, we share practical, confidence-boosting tips to help HR professionals stand out, speak with impact, and build credibility in every meeting.

10 Tips for Leaving a Memorable Impression in Meetings

Whether you're presenting, contributing, or just joining the conversation, your presence matters. In this article, we share practical, confidence-boosting tips to help HR professionals stand out, speak with impact, and build credibility in every meeting.

Coffee With Sally: Building Your Personal Brand

Looking for advice on creating your personal brand? We sat down for 5 minutes with SD's Talent Partner Sally, to get her tips on everything from her creating content on LinkedIn to balancing authenticity and professionalism online.

Coffee With Sally: Building Your Personal Brand

Looking for advice on creating your personal brand? We sat down for 5 minutes with SD's Talent Partner Sally, to get her tips on everything from her creating content on LinkedIn to balancing authenticity and professionalism online.

Coffee With Sally: Building Your Personal Brand

Looking for advice on creating your personal brand? We sat down for 5 minutes with SD's Talent Partner Sally, to get her tips on everything from her creating content on LinkedIn to balancing authenticity and professionalism online.

Coffee With Sally: Building Your Personal Brand

Looking for advice on creating your personal brand? We sat down for 5 minutes with SD's Talent Partner Sally, to get her tips on everything from her creating content on LinkedIn to balancing authenticity and professionalism online.

What is Personal Branding, and Why Does It Matter in the Workplace?

Personal branding isn’t just for influencers or executives. It’s how you show up, build trust, and create opportunity in your career. In this article, we explore how to define, strengthen, and share your professional brand with clarity and confidence.

What is Personal Branding, and Why Does It Matter in the Workplace?

Personal branding isn’t just for influencers or executives. It’s how you show up, build trust, and create opportunity in your career. In this article, we explore how to define, strengthen, and share your professional brand with clarity and confidence.

What is Personal Branding, and Why Does It Matter in the Workplace?

Personal branding isn’t just for influencers or executives. It’s how you show up, build trust, and create opportunity in your career. In this article, we explore how to define, strengthen, and share your professional brand with clarity and confidence.

What is Personal Branding, and Why Does It Matter in the Workplace?

Personal branding isn’t just for influencers or executives. It’s how you show up, build trust, and create opportunity in your career. In this article, we explore how to define, strengthen, and share your professional brand with clarity and confidence.

VIDEO: SD's Favourite Everyday Tech Hacks

From automations to help you remember the correct bin night, to ChatGPT to meal prep, to locating a lost iPhone - these are the tech hacks you need to know!

VIDEO: SD's Favourite Everyday Tech Hacks

From automations to help you remember the correct bin night, to ChatGPT to meal prep, to locating a lost iPhone - these are the tech hacks you need to know!

VIDEO: SD's Favourite Everyday Tech Hacks

From automations to help you remember the correct bin night, to ChatGPT to meal prep, to locating a lost iPhone - these are the tech hacks you need to know!

VIDEO: SD's Favourite Everyday Tech Hacks

From automations to help you remember the correct bin night, to ChatGPT to meal prep, to locating a lost iPhone - these are the tech hacks you need to know!

HR Advisor to HR Business Partner - How to Get Ready for the Jump

For many HR professionals, the transition from HR Advisor to HR Business Partner feels like the next natural step. But it’s also one of the trickiest jumps to make. Let's explore what it takes to get there.

HR Advisor to HR Business Partner - How to Get Ready for the Jump

For many HR professionals, the transition from HR Advisor to HR Business Partner feels like the next natural step. But it’s also one of the trickiest jumps to make. Let's explore what it takes to get there.

HR Advisor to HR Business Partner - How to Get Ready for the Jump

For many HR professionals, the transition from HR Advisor to HR Business Partner feels like the next natural step. But it’s also one of the trickiest jumps to make. Let's explore what it takes to get there.

HR Advisor to HR Business Partner - How to Get Ready for the Jump

For many HR professionals, the transition from HR Advisor to HR Business Partner feels like the next natural step. But it’s also one of the trickiest jumps to make. Let's explore what it takes to get there.

I’m a Jobseeker

Submit your CV and let's find you your perfect match.

I’m an Employer

Find your next dream hire with us.