It would take forever to describe all the software I use regularly, but here's the stuff I consider to be most important...

Principles 📖

I try to keep things as simple as possible when it comes to the software I use. This hasn't always been the case, but I'm now using these principles to guide my decisions:

1. Prefer web-based tools to installable tools. Tha ability to log in and work on any machine is huge, and reduces reliance on my laptop.
2. Use the right tool for the job, but balance against the complexity cost of introducing a new tool.
3. Prefer default configs over complicated custom setups.

Core Stuff 📕

These tools form the base on which most of my other stuff works. I use them every day.

• Google Suite - I use GSuite for almost all my emails and calendaring. Most of my important stuff lives on Google Drive, synced to my laptop. I use Notion Mail & Notion Calendar as my main calendar apps.
• Notion - My external brain. Everything that can lives in here.
• 1Password - Security is not a dirty word. I rely on 1Password to manage my passwords and some other security stuff.
• **Readwise Reader** - I use Reader to save everything I want to read or listen to later, and also to keep highlights of stuff I read and synchronise them between other devices and apps.
• Reflect - Mostly used for keeping day notes and other messy thoughts and plans. Replaced Drafts and some things I used to do in Notion in July 2024.

General 📔

These tools have a supporting role, and I couldn't do without them. I happily pay for many of these.

• ChatGPT - I use this much like everyone else… as a kind of assistant to help me out with stuff during the day.
• **YNAB** - Manages all my budgeting stuff. I use this in conjunction with my banking app, Monzo. It's awesome.
• NordVPN - My VPN on all my devices.
• Cal.com - I use this for scheduling meetings and whatnot.
• Loom - Sharing short videos. I use this all the time.
• Figma - Replaced Sketch in 2019 and Miro in 2022q. I use FigJam to run nearly all my workshops, and also as a visual place to think.
• DNSimple - Manages my domains and DNS.