Let’s get this straight before we go any further:
DROP doesn’t require apps.
But if you’re going to use them — let’s make sure they actually help.
Because here’s the trap:
Most people fall in love with productivity apps for about three days…
Then abandon them after realising it’s just another inbox in disguise.
So, no — I’m not here to flog affiliate links or sell you the latest “AI task manager” some teenager on TikTok is hyping up while sipping a protein shake in a penthouse apartment they definitely don’t own.
This is about practicality.
Apps that genuinely support the DROP framework — not overcomplicate it.
Let’s break it down by the four pillars: DUMP, REVIEW, OFFLOAD, PLAN.
DUMP — Get It Out of Your Head
The goal:
Capture the chaos. Stop carrying it in your brain.
You want somewhere you can quickly throw ideas, tasks, reminders, rants — whatever is cluttering your mental bandwidth.
Recommended Apps:
- Apple Notes / Google Keep — Fast, simple, searchable. Ideal for dumping on the go.
- Notion — Customisable, cross-device, great for brain dumping with structure.
- Voice Memos — For those who think faster than they type. Especially great in the car.
- Drafts (iOS) — Lightweight app that opens instantly into a blank note — perfect for rapid capture.
But honestly?
Pen and paper still win for many people. Especially when your brain is overloaded. Don’t overthink it.
REVIEW — Reflect and Reassess Weekly
The goal:
Look at what worked, what didn’t, what’s left, what matters next.
This is where you check in with yourself. No app will do it for you — but a good tool can prompt you to keep the habit alive.
Recommended Apps:
- Evernote / Notion — For structured reflection templates
- Day One (iOS/Mac) — A journaling app that works great for weekly reviews
- Google Docs / Word — Build a simple template, repeat weekly
- Reflectly or Journey — For those who like guided prompts
You can also use a paper planner with printed review questions — old school works if you stick with it.
OFFLOAD — Delegate, Delete, Delay
The goal:
Get tasks off your plate — into someone else’s, into the bin, or into the future.
This is less about apps, more about decisions — but here’s how tech can help:
Recommended Apps:
- Trello / Asana / ClickUp — For delegating to team members
- Google Tasks / Microsoft To Do — Quick deferrals or move to “Later”
- Email snooze features — Delay follow-ups without losing track
- Zapier / Make — Automate boring admin (if you’re tech-savvy)
The app is only useful if it saves you time and brain space — not adds more overhead.
PLAN — Design Your Week Intentionally
The goal:
Time-block, prioritise, and give your week structure before it starts steamrolling you.
This is where apps can help a lot — if used right.
Recommended Apps:
- Google Calendar / Apple Calendar / Outlook — For time-blocking, colour-coded days, and scheduling
- Sunsama — One of the few “all-in-one” apps that actually aligns well with DROP. Weekly review, task drag-and-drop, calendar integration
- Sorted³ — Great for time blocking + flexible planning (iOS only)
- TimeBloc / Timepage — For visual weekly layouts
- Notion calendar view — Customisable planning dashboards
Whatever you use, the key is this:
Don’t plan your week in your head.
Use something that forces you to look ahead, make decisions, and structure your focus.
A Few Bonus Tools Worth Mentioning
These aren’t essential, but they do complement the DROP rhythm well:
- Toggl — For time tracking, especially if you want to compare intention vs reality
- Clockify — Free and simple for solo workers
- Focus Keeper / Pomofocus — For those using the Pomodoro Technique during deep work
- Freedom / Cold Turkey / Forest — If distractions are killing your flow
- Google Sheets / Airtable — If you like data, habit tracking, or building your own rhythm dashboards
But Let’s Be Honest… Most People Use Apps to Avoid Doing the Work
And here’s the uncomfortable truth:
If you’re constantly switching apps, tweaking tools, or watching YouTube videos on “the perfect Notion setup”…
You’re probably avoiding the real work.
That’s not productivity. That’s procrastination in disguise.
The best tools are the ones you barely notice — because they’re simple, consistent, and get out of your way.
So… What’s the Best App for DROP?
The one you’ll actually use.
The one that fits your brain, not someone else’s.
The one that supports your rhythm, instead of stealing your focus.
For some people, it’s a whiteboard and a paper planner.
For others, it’s Notion and Google Calendar.
And for many? It’s a mashup of tools that get the job done.
DROP is the framework.
The tool is up to you.
Buy the book:
Control Your Time or Stay Stuck: You Choose — Learn the thinking behind DROP, and why it works no matter what tools you choose.
Join the DROP System training:
Includes templates and examples to use in your favourite tools — from paper to Trello to Notion and beyond. Build your version of DROP, your way.
Leave a Reply