Smartphones get a bad reputation when it comes to distraction. Yes, Angry Birds and Tinder are the cause of hours of procrastination (and finger cramp), but if used properly, these gizmos can actually be a help rather than a hindrance to a hectic workload. Don’t believe us? Try downloading these 10 apps designed to boost your output and streamline your workflow. Don’t worry, we know you’ll be working too hard to thank us.

30/30

Breaking up a day into task-specific blocks is no new phenomenon in the world of productivity, but enforcing it can prove difficult if distractions come knocking. The 30/30 app uses a timer interface to which you can add tasks and their respective time constraints to help block out working hours accordingly. Once the tasks are locked in, tap go and put the pedal to the metal. Available free on iPhone.

Paper

Taking minutes and making lists can be a tedious chore, but luckily the Paper app pushes note-taking to the next level. Everything from lists and presentations to charts and graphs are easy to make while scribbling, translating the experience of writing (and doodling) on actual paper to your phone. Available free on iPhone.

Quip

Being chief technology officer of Facebook, Bret Taylor has learned a thing or two about how most people use technology day-to-day. Created as a side hustle (you know, outside of running one of the world’s most powerful companies), Taylor launched Quip, a mobile word-processing app that uses a messaging element to promote collaboration across documents, spreadsheets, presentations and lists. Available on iPhone and Android, priced £25 per month per team.

Clear

Some days just call for a good old-fashioned to-do list. Clear is a simple interface that allows you to drag and reorder tasks, with adding new items as simple as pulling down and typing it in. Being able to swipe right on a completed task to make it vanish is almost as satisfying as swiping right on that app you’re not supposed to be thinking about. Available for £4.99 on iPhone.