5 Chrome browser extensions that help boost employee productivity

5 Chrome browser extensions that help boost employee productivity

Nowadays, many employees find it challenging to complete work tasks since they're constantly dealing with numerous distractions, such as emails, social media, and text messages. Fortunately, there are plenty of Google Chrome browser extensions that your business can leverage to increase employee productivity.

1. Momentum

Momentum replaces the new tab page with a customizable dashboard that helps you stay focused and motivated to complete your daily tasks. This dashboard features a to-do list and new inspiring photos and quotes every day. Momentum also sends friendly reminders of your most important task.

The paid version, Momentum Plus, comes with even more productivity tools, such as:

  • Multi-Todo list – Create multiple to-do lists to better organize your tasks.
  • Autofocus mode – Display your most important task front and center to help you focus on it. Once you've completed that task, it's replaced with the next task on your to-do list.
  • Pomodoro timer – Create timed intervals of focused work sessions and breaks.
  • Countdowns – Display the number of days left before an upcoming deadline or event.
  • Metrics – Track your progress toward meeting certain personal and professional goals.
  • Soundscapes – Choose from a selection of background sounds, such as rainfall and crackling campfire, to help get you in the groove.

Related reading: Hybrid working? Here are 5 tips to stay productive and efficient

2. Strict Workflow

Applying the Pomodoro technique, Strict Workflow enforces a workflow of 25 minutes of distraction-free work and then five minutes of break.

During the 25-minute work period, Strict Workflow prevents you from accessing distracting websites. It's preconfigured to block popular distracting websites like social media sites, but you can also choose what sites to block or allow. Once the work timer starts, you can no longer access blocked sites even if you restart the browser.

To use Strict Workflow, follow these three steps:

  1. Click to begin the 25-minute work timer, and start working without distractions.
  2. Click to begin the 5-minute break timer, and relax.
  3. Repeat steps one and two until you're done with work for the day.

While not recommended by Strict Workflow’s developers, you can adjust the duration of the work and break timers.

3. StayFocusd

With StayFocusd, you can easily limit how much time you spend on certain websites. For example, if Facebook is a huge time sink for you, you can set StayFocusd to allow only 10 minutes of usage per day. Once you've reached your limit, you can no longer access the site for the rest of the day.

StayFocusd even allows you to block sites entirely or only specific pages or in-page content (e.g., videos and games).

4. Timewarp

Timewarp was made especially for people who easily fall into the procrastination trap. It lets you set up three types of "wormholes" that remind you not to procrastinate:

  • Redirect – brings you to a more productive site that you specified
  • Quote – shows you a motivational quote
  • Timer – shows the total amount of time you've spent on certain sites in a day

5. Noisli

Background noises like a working printer, an ambulance siren, or workplace chitchat can easily become distracting. Fortunately, Noisli lets you mix and match various sounds and adjust their respective volumes to mask background noises and create a sound environment that helps you focus. You can also opt to listen to Noisli's carefully curated playlists to keep you concentrated and motivated.

Let the IT experts of Founders Technology Group guide you in choosing the best productivity-boosting IT solutions for your company. Schedule your FREE IT consultation.