Source: cron.com

My list of time-management software has recently been updated with one practical application. It’s Cron, a new generation calendar that won the Product Hunt Golden Kitty Awards just two months after it was announced.

Why the app?

Time is an invaluable resource, and the calendar is one of the most influential inventions for dealing with it.

It’s true that the calendar apps we’re used to having limited functionality. For example, they are not designed to display multiple meetings, nor do they allow you to block certain times or reserve them for specific cases.

We were so used to the standard features of the calendar that we didn’t consider whether it could be transformed and made more convenient. Luckily, the Cron team, led by founder Rafael Schaad, took on this project and was inspired by the Sunrise app to develop its product.

Today, Cron is the default calendar in companies such as Notion, GitHub and Shopify.

What are the principles behind the Cron app?

Source: cron.com

To enable us to manage our time efficiently, the app is based on the following principles.

Design: Superior UX is critical for such a personal tool we use every day. The reimagined calendar interface puts people in control of their time.

Collaboration: A meeting is often the starting point for achieving ambitious goals. Workflows before, during, and after meetings become streamlined and bring people together.

Integrations: Time provides the connecting layer for other best-in-class productivity tools.

Based on this and feedback from first-time users, the app developers are constantly adding new features to the calendar. On May 16, for example, automatic event blocking was improved to sysynchronizevents between calendars and different accounts. In general, you can keep track of all the improvements in Changelog. But I am usually notified while some of the progress I have seen myself.

What are the benefits of Cron for me?

Source: cron.com

Here are a few of the features that have made a difference in my time management.

1. Automatic synchronization of events in my personal and work calendar. I don’t have to waste time making entries in both calendars. If I’ve booked a time in my work calendar for an appointment with a client, it will also be locked in my calendar so that I don’t accidentally schedule a doctor’s appointment.

2. I conveniently agreed on appointment times. I have to send the person I need to meet/call a link to my calendar so they mark a convenient time for the appointment and receive a confirmation email.

3. Efficient event management. With one click, I can see details about an upcoming event. When I open it, I can change the time and date, add a participant, add a conference link and more.

4. The ability to visually assess the change in the working week when changing the time or duration of a particular event. I usually make decisions and changes to short and long-term plans based on this.

5. Event duplicates into a single event chip: When my colleagues’ calendars overlap, Cron does not show the repeated events. That said, I can always see who is available and when to set up a time to chat.

How has my time management improved with Cron?

Source: unsplash.com

After installing the app, I’ve noticed such positives:

• Most work meetings are scheduled automatically.
• I don’t waste time confirming or cancelling events via email. Cron does this for me.
• Thanks to the app can ananalyzeow much time is spent on meetings per week/month. This allows me to make plans more efficiently.
• I stay focused on my goals and am less procrastinating.
• I find it easier to find a balance between personal and work matters.
• I keep a schedule in front of me and don’t try to cram more tasks and meetings into less time.
• It’s easy to plan meetings — for a few weeks or even a few months.

Do you use Cron? Share your experiences.