40 Sites That Every Success Minded Professional Should Know About and Use

With an endless number of sites, tools, and resources out there, how do you know what’s worth your time? Well, we know just how busy you are, so we did the legwork for you and found 40 websites that’ll add value to your life and your career, guaranteed.

From productivity advice to places to go when you need a distraction, these sites will change the way you do things, inspire you, and, well, generally just blow your mind.

1. Trello: Trello helps you manage all your ideas and due dates and keeps track of what you’re in the process of completing. Plus, it looks nice—it’s like the Pinterest of to-do lists.

2. Hackpad: Think Google Docs—only better for collaboration. Invite as many people as you want to contribute to your docs, or set them to private so they’re just yours.

3. Coffitivity: What is it about a coffee shop that gives you such laser focus? Coffitivity streams the background noises of a coffee shop so you can get your creativity A-game on.

4. FaxZero: FaxZero lets you send and receive faxes through your email—because nobody likes the fax machine
5. RescueTime: RescueTime lets you monitor how you spend your time on your computer and mobile devices. (The truth is sometimes ugly, but necessary.)

6. Unroll.me: You know all those email newsletters that you accidentally opted into, but don’t really read? Use this site to clear out your inbox.

7. Remember the Milk: A to-do list manager with several key bonuses: You can sync it with your all your devices, share tasks with others, and get email or text reminders of things you need to get done.

8. Springpad: Springpad lets you organize all of your notes, favorite websites, and online inspiration into different folders. It gets bonus points for looking nice, too.

9. HabitForge: Forming a new habit isn’t easy, so HabitForge keeps track of how well you’re doing with simple reminders and check-ins.

10. Evernote: Evernote helps you remember everything using text, photo or audio notes, and clippings of websites.

11. Hemingway: How does that email (or any of your writing!) come off to readers? Plug it into this ingenious app to get the breakdown.

12. Feedly: The greatest RSS reader on the market right now, Feedly is the place to keep up with all the latest from your favorite blogs and publications.

13. Pocket: Don’t have time to read that great post your friend just put on Twitter? Send it to Pocket where you’ll be able to read it later—even offline on your phone while you’re commuting home!

14. TaskRabbit: TaskRabbit helps you open up time in your schedule by making it easy to outsource any task you really don’t want to do, from running errands to planning the details of your next vacay.

15. IFTTT: Standing for “if this then that,” IFTTT helps different apps, online programs, and services work together to make your life way easier. Think getting the weather texted to you every morning or having your photos automatically save to Dropbox.

16. Lifehacker: Lifehacker is always coming up with solutions to problems you didn’t even know you had. From how to handle tech woes to the most pro productivity tips, you’re sure to find it here.

17. ZocDoc: Scheduling doctor’s appointments is one of those things that seems to never quite get done. ZocDoc makes it simple to stay healthy by allowing you to schedule and manage your appointments online.

18. Handybook: Need some help around the house? Handybook makes it easy for you to book cleaners, plumbers, movers, and the like—all online.

19. Seamless: Whether you’re stuck late at the office or just don’t feel like cooking when you get home, Seamless is there for you with super-streamlined online takeout ordering.

20. CreativeLive: Whether you’re trying to pick up a new creative hobby or boost your creative career, this site broadcasts live classes by accomplished professionals in each field.

21. Duolingo: This Apple “App of the Year” will help you learn a new language—for free. If you’re super-busy (and we know you are), this is a great one for your commute, a few minutes on your lunch break, or between commercials on your lazy day.

22. Eventbrite: We talk a lot about the importance of networking and professional development, and Eventbrite is one of our go-to places to find out about upcoming conferences and events.

23. Conference Bites: You know those one-liners that you hear at a conference that get you seriously inspired? Conference Bites rounds those up for you.

24. Skillcrush: Skillcrush is dead-on with its philosophy that digital skills will help you no matter what you do. The site’s free email bootcamp is a great way to polish your tech skills.

25. Skillshare: Skillshare has classes on everything from fashion design to HTML to branding. The classes are a project-based format with accomplished teachers, so we’re sure you’ll never be bored.

26. Codecademy: Codeacademy breaks down learning to code into small, manageable lessons, so you don’t need hours to get started. Even better news? It’s free.

27. Coursera: With courses from Yale, Stanford, and more, you know Coursera gives you access to top-notch learning. Classes are several weeks long, and free.

28. MasterStreet: Think of it as a professional development search engine, helping you find both online and in-person classes and conferences.

29. Udemy: Udemy has a mix of free and paid online classes with a huge range of subjects. Though the paid classes can be pricey, there’s a solid rating system so you can be sure you’re getting your money’s worth.

30. Mediabistro: Media professionals (or those looking to break into the field) will find Mediabistro to be an awesome resource on everything from event planning to travel writing to grammar.

31. Muse University: At Muse University, we help you find out what you want to do with your life, and then be awesome at it. Our free classes for professionals at every stage are delivered straight to your inbox so you can check out the lessons at the time that works for you.

32. Upworthy: The place to go to learn about the social issues that matter most. Chock-full of viral videos and images, you’ll be entertained and growing your brain.

33. TED: Need to get majorly inspired? Head over to TED to hear inspiring talks from people doing big things in the world—the perfect spark to keep working on whatever it is you’re passionate about.

34. Sporcle: Sporcle is still the best place on the internet for testing your knowledge. You can take quizzes on any topic imaginable, which is a pretty fun way to learn new things (and also to challenge your co-workers to see who knows more about obscure TV references or countries of the world).

35. Lumosity: Lumosity is like a gym for your brain. Using the site’s fun games, you’ll be able to keep your brain sharp and even improve certain functions, like memory, problem solving, and thinking on your feet.

36. Quora: When you have a question and your Google abilities don’t seem to be getting you any closer to the answer? Quora is the place to go. You can crowdsource answers to any question or browse other people’s questions to learn a thing or two.

37. Mental Floss: Every day, Mental Floss publishes articles with the most interesting facts and information about things you didn’t even know you wanted to know. From pop culture and geeky information to science and history, you’re sure to find something that piques your interest.

38. FACTSlides: FACTSlides allows you to click through a variety of random facts that not only feed your curiosity, but are also perfect fodder for the break room. For example, did you know that UPS delivery trucks save 10 million gallons of gas every year by making no left turns?

39. GOOD: GOOD is a community of people trying to live well and do good. Follow different change-makers for a steady stream of ideas for things to read and activities to do to make your life even better.

40. Change.org: Make your mark on the world by starting or signing petitions in support of issues you care about. It’s so easy, you can take action during your coffee break.