By skyforbes 
TL;RD: I’ve tried every productivity trick out there, but the real upgrade came from mixing ChatGPT with my favourite Mac productivity apps. Now AI handles the brainstorming while the apps handle the follow-through.
A lifelong productivity enthusiast
I’ve always been that person who genuinely enjoys productivity tools.
✅ Pomodoro? Check.
✅ Smart planning and scheduling? Check.
✅ Goal buddy and focused work sessions? Double check.
So when AI became part of everyday workflows, I saw it as an upgrade. Naturally, I wanted to figure out how ChatGPT could fit into my existing system task lists and note-taking apps.
AI as a productivity partner
At first, I used ChatGPT for the usual stuff like summarising notes or making lists I’d later ignore. But once I got comfortable, I realised there was more potential hiding in plain sight.
So I started pairing ChatGPT with the best productivity apps from Setapp I already relied on. I even made my go-to setup with a Productivity Tools GPT, which asked about my work style and goals, then suggested the best tools for the job.
That’s when my systems started feeling more cohesive. Not “revolutionary” or “life-changing,” just genuinely easier to use.
Smarter together
ChatGPT became my thinking space, and Mac productivity apps became the workspace.
When I plan a new article or campaign, I brainstorm structure and tone with ChatGPT first. Once the ideas take shape, I move to an app where focus feels easier — Ulysses.
I’ve also tested a bunch of other AI writing tools (some brilliant, some chaotic) and shared what helped a lot.
For task management, I keep things fluid. Some projects live in GoodTask, others in Notes — whatever feels simplest at the time. ChatGPT helps me outline the action steps, then I drop them into my app of choice.
The magic is in how these tools work hand in hand without me getting lost in the process.
The practical combos
Over time, I’ve built a few go-to combinations that make everything click:
- ChatGPT + Ulysses — generate a first draft or outline, then refine it distraction-free.
- ChatGPT + Paste — store and reuse snippets, quotes, or links without digging through old chats.
- ChatGPT + TextSniper — grab text from screenshots or PDFs and instantly summarise it.
- ChatGPT + Yoink — collect screenshots, text fragments, or images for a project, then help me caption, label, or sort them later.
- ChatGPT + Notes — quick edits and brainstorming when I’m working away from my Mac setup.
- ChatGPT + Reminders — turn a long plan into simple steps I can tick off.
- ChatGPT + MindNode Classic — brainstorm ideas, then map them visually when my brain wants to see connections.
- ChatGPT + Nitro PDF Pro — summarise the content or extract key insights, then annotate or merge PDFs.
These pairings are flexible, so I swap them around depending on what I’m doing. The goal is to keep my workflow flowing instead of stalling.
Why does this work better than other methods?
Here’s what I’ve noticed after months of mixing AI with Mac productivity tools:
👉 ChatGPT makes starting easier.
It’s like having someone toss you the first sentence so you stop overthinking and just get on with it.
👉 Mac apps help me finish things.
Once the idea’s there, I can clean it up, file it, or export it without juggling a dozen windows.
👉 Together, they keep my focus steady.
Instead of bouncing between tools or retyping the same paragraph, everything just moves in one direction.
Now I feel that I’m spending more time doing the work than trying to decide how to do it.
A dose of realism
If you think that AI reinvented my system, then oops, it didn’t. It just made it calmer.
Some days, I still try a new workflow that collapses in an hour. (Because I like to experiment!) But the more I blend ChatGPT with the right productivity apps, the less pressure I feel to find “the perfect setup.”
The smartest thing I’ve learned? Make your tools talk to each other. Let AI handle the messy brainstorming while your Mac apps keep the execution tight.
