Work/Life: What Tech Tools Have Helped Shape Your Work and Life?
Technology touches everything from our professional work to our personal downtime. What tech tools, platforms, or digital habits have helped shape your work or enhanced your life outside the office? Whether it’s a favorite app, a productivity hack, or a way to stay connected, share the innovations that make a difference for you at work and beyond.
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“Whether I’m booking flights for a high-stakes board meeting or a soul-nourishing getaway, Copilot streamlines the search, compares the best options, and keeps my travel aligned with both mission and meaning.” Coura Badiane, MA, MBA, CAE |
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“Recently, I went through a 3-day Chat GPT and Scribe training at my association. As a part of the training, I was able to create and enhance a project workstream. Based on the training, I learned how to utilize AI technology as an ally to be more efficient with my work.” José A. Marroquin, MBA, MA |
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“In a busy and anxious world, one of my go-to personal and professional apps is the Headspace app. If I can’t find 10 minutes to ground myself, then my challenges are much bigger than I think! Headspace has allowed me to navigate challenging personal and professional experiences so I can move forward with clarity and authenticity.” Alecia Wartowski, JD |
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“I wouldn’t call myself a big technology person, but there are a few apps that have really enhanced my life. AllTrails is my go-to for hiking—it tracks mileage and helps with navigation on the trail. I also love Runna and Strava for running, which build training plans and track pace, and Goodreads, which keeps me on track with my annual reading goals. These tools remind me that not all technology has to be social media–focused—many apps can make life easier and more meaningful in everyday ways.” Madison Webb |
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“Building intentional digital habits—like blocking out focus time, using Outlook to stay on top of tasks, and cutting out distractions—has made a big difference in how productive I am at work. It’s also helped outside the office by making it easier to prioritize personal projects and carve out time to unwind.” Mike Thill |
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“Without a doubt, ChatGPT has been a game changer. Our PMO has configured a ChatGPT PMO Advisor trained on various project management frameworks and AANA-specific templates. We’ve leveraged ChatGPT to summarize meetings, produce project documentation such as Playbooks, Change Requests, and planning artifacts, and accelerate decision-making through rapid analysis. While it isn’t perfect, it has proven to be an incredible asset—freeing our project managers to focus more on strategic alignment, stakeholder engagement, and value delivery. By embedding AI into our governance and execution practices, we’ve strengthened our ability to serve as a true enterprise partner and strategic enabler.” Erin Fitzgerald, PMP®, CSM®, ITIL® |
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“I have discovered Atoms, a simple, yet powerful micro-habit app that I love. It is both beautiful and user-friendly with progress and milestone features that help keep me motivated. In the beginning, I began tracking one small habit and am pleased with the results. There is a pro-version that includes many more options such as daily lessons and motivators to support habit formation.” Celeste Smith, MPH, CAE |
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Victoria Riordan, MPH |
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“I’ve learned that good digital hygiene is as important as any professional habit. Regularly organizing and deleting outdated files, photos, and documents helps me think more clearly and avoid unnecessary storage costs. I also leverage AI tools to efficiently summarize key research and policy updates, allowing me to focus on strategy and decision-making. Beyond work, I use digital wellness tools to limit notifications and stay present, proving that technology, when used intentionally, can create more space for both productivity and human connection.” Kymika Okechukwu, MPA |
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