Tools

Products and solutions we love or have heard great things about.

Disclaimers: We cannot vouch for the security of any of these systems.
Grant third-party access at your own risk. Some URLS contain affiliate links, however no one has paid for placement.

 

Tech Blockers

 

FREEDOM
OSX, WINDOWS, iOS, ANDROID Subscription-baseD

A technology blocker that works across devices allowing one to customize what websites and applications are allowed in the cave. They also have a great Chrome plug-in called “Pause” which delays opening social media, news, and other potential distractions.

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SELF CONTROL
OSX
FREE, Donation-Based

MAS OS open-source blocker of websites and other distractions. Warning: cannot be quit during a session.


 

Focus Launcher
Android
Free (OPEN SOURCE)

Formerly known as Siempo, this Android launcher batches all notifications every 30 minutes and the apps on your phone are black and white letters, removing color and imagery. Also includes a customized intention on homescreen.

COLD TURKEY
OS
X, Windows
ONE TIME $39

Technology blocker that is easy to use, schedule and customize.

 
 

Soundscapes for Focus

 

BRAIN.FM
WEB
Free Trial, then $7/mo

Music engineered by scientists to enhance focus. People LOVE this and the science behind it shows that it works.

NOISLI
Web
FREEMIUM

Web-based music and sound generator. You can choose white noise, or looping nature sounds to calm you and regulate your nervous system. Use code NOISLIXCAVEDAY for 15% off.

 

ENDEL
All Mobile, Desktop, WEB

Personalized sound environments to help you focus, relax, and sleep. Great scientific research behind their work. Lots of integrations and partnerships with mobile, Apple watch, Twitch and more.

SPOTIFY
ALL DESKTOP, MOBILE, WEB
Freemium, $9.99/mo

You know this. But just in case, yhere is looping white, brown, and pink noise. And some great existing playlists such as Lo-Fi Beats, Brain.fm, Chill Vibes, binaural beats and more. Search around for those playlists.

 
 
 

Measurement

 

RESCUE TIME
OSX, WINDOWS, IOS, ANDROID
Freemium, $9/mo

Computer plugin that monitors app usage and generates usage reports that give you a productivity score with the most common apps and sites you used each week.

BEEMINDER
IOS, ANDROID
FREEMIUM, $8-40/mo

Progress tracking that can pull data from services. Can pledge money be deducted if you don’t hit your goals
(IOS & Google Play, Fremium)

STRIDES APP
IOS
Free, In-App Purchases

Goal and habit tracker

HABIT HUB
Android
Free, In-App Purchases

Goal and habit tracker. Features like chains and data tracking to see how your goals and habits are coming along.

ENGROSS
Android
Free

Task and focus tracking.

 

Scheduling

 

CALENDLY
Web
Freemium, $8-12/mo

Scheduling tool that hooks into your calendar and has lots of integrations. Get a customized link to share for people to book time with you.

SQUARE APPTS
WEB, IOS, ANDROID
Free for 1 Calendar, $50-90

Scheduling for individuals and teams up to 10 calendar sync. Best used as a business to make appointments.

 

Mindfulness

 

INSIGHT TIMER
IOS, ANDROID
FREEMIUM, $60/yr

Truly Free meditation app. At any level, you can search for themes, people, or even by length of meditation. Membership fee if you want to listen offline.

HEADSPACE
IOS, ANDROID
free Trial, $69/YR

A perfect way to dip your toe into meditation or to go more advanced. Courses and searchable meditation sessions guided expertly in their fun and playfully branded app.

 

Workflow and Organizing Creativity

 

ZAPIER
Web
Freemium, $240/yr +

Connect different platforms (like Mailchimp and Google Drive) to automate tasks.

IFTTT
WeB
FREEMIUM, $3.33/mo +

Connect different platforms (like Twitter, Evernote, and Gmail) to automate tasks.

SunSAma
WeB
$16/mo

Connect your planning and to-do list with your calendar to more seamlessly plan your day and get in the habit of weekly timeboxing.

Milanote
Web
Freemium, $9.99/mo +

A more powerful Pinterest + Omnigraffle. Lets you create mood boards, add your own notes, and even do things like create user flows and org charts.

Notion
WEB, OSX, IOS, ANDROID
FREE FOR 1 USER

Combines the best of Evernote, Google Docs, Trello, and Asana. Database organizing and project management in one.

EVERNOTe
WEB, OSX, IOS, ANDROID
Freemium, $7.99/mo

Great notetaking app that syncs across all devices and accessible on the web. Easy search functionality.

 

Email

 

SUPERHUMAN
OSX, iOS
$30/mo

The fastest system for getting through your inbox. Uses gMail but has its own iOS and desktop app to use keyboard shortcuts and built-in tools. The onboarding is personalized and 1-on-1 and all in all, a really magical experience.

MIXMAX
Web
Freemium, $9/mo +

Set email reminders, schedule send, schedule meetings easily with groups and directly in email, and send email polls to large groups.

SANEBOX
OSX
Free Trial, $7-36/mo

Artificial intelligence filters out distracting emails for later.

INBOX WHEN READY
Web
Trial and $4/mo

Hide your Gmail inbox except when you click “show.” Counts number of times you open your inbox and times how long. Great for quantifying and gamifying NOT checking your email.

 
 

 

Books

The ARt of Community

Charles Vogl

ATOMIC HABITS

James Clear

CRUCIAL CONVERSATIONS

Patterson, Grenny, McMillan, Switzler

 

Chatter

Ethan Kross

DEEP WORK

Cal Newport

Drop the Ball
Tiffany Dufu

THE END OF PROCRASTINATION

Petr Ludwig and Adela Schicker

 

MEETINGS SUCK

Cameron Herold

 

Outliers

Malcolm Gladwell

Rest

Alex Soojung-Kim PanG

Steal LIKE AN ARTIST

AUSTIN KLEON

 

The THREE MARRIAGES

David Whyte

THE WAR OF ART

Stephen Pressfield

WHEN

Daniel Pink

Zen HABITS

Leo Babauta

 




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