Momentum - My favorite browser start page
If you’re anything like me, opening a new tab can often lead to a rabbit hole of distractions. That’s where Momentum comes in its a game changing browser extension that transforms your new tab page into a personal sanctuary of focus and productivity. Instead of the usual blank slate or a clutter of bookmarks, Momentum presents you with a beautifully designed dashboard that serves multiple purposes. It not only helps you stay laser-focused on your tasks but also keeps you organized with built-in to-do lists and even sprinkles in a dash of daily inspiration. Imagine starting your day with a stunning landscape photo, an uplifting quote, and a single, clear focus—all in one place. That’s the power of Momentum, and it’s why it’s my go-to tool for turning idle moments into productive sessions. It works on Chrome, Safari, Firefox and Edge. It’s awesome and has changed my way of looking at the browser as my start page to the internet.
Features
Momentum comes with a bunch of features, some free and some paid. I’ve been a paying user of this extension for many years and have gotten a lot out of it. What comes with the free version?
Balance Mode
This is the biggest feature for me which is Balance Mode. Balance mode lets you change what is displayed based on the time of day so you arent bugged by things at work when its after hours. You set you Uptime and Downtime schedule.
The plus version lets you specify the hours of the day and the days of the week. These extra options allow you to choose more specific hours of the day (e.g. 5:30 am – 1:15 pm) and days of the week (e.g. Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, & Fridays).
Percentage Clock
I don’t show the time of day on my Momentum screen and only show the percentage of my day which helps me with knowing how much of my day I have left AND if I’m going over the allocated time. It’s great for work life balance.
- At 9 am the percent clock displays 0%.
- At 5 pm the percent clock displays 100%.
- Between 9 am – 5 pm the Percent Clock displays the % of the work day that has past.
- Before 9 am the clock displays a negative (-) percentage.
- After 5 pm the clock displays a positive (+) percentage.
Plus features the ability to customize the house of the day and day of the week. These additional options allow you to choose more specific hours of the day (e.g. 5:30 am – 1:15 pm) and days of the week (e.g. Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays).
World Clock
This isn’t a feature I use but if you deal with lots of people in different time zones this may be helpful. It’s a plus only feature but it lets you list a number of locations around the world and display their times on the screen.
Search
You can choose to search with Google, Bing or DuckDuckGo with Momentum’s built-in search.
Daily Focus
Achieving your goals or completing projects isn’t a one-night affair; it requires consistent, daily effort. That’s where Momentum’s Daily Focus feature shines. It prompts you with a crucial question every day: “What’s your main focus for today?” This question sits front and center on your Momentum dashboard, greeting you each time you open a new tab. And here’s the kicker—it resets at 4 a.m. local time every day, completed or not. This encourages you to start each day anew, offering a fresh canvas for your ambitions. I need to use this feature more but when I do it’s helping me stay focused.
Mantras
Mantras serve as concise reminders that help you focus on key principles or values. Think of phrases like “Be present,” “Unleash your creativity,” or “Simplify to amplify.” In Momentum, your daily mantra takes center stage, replacing the standard greetings like “Good morning, Jason.” And just like your daily focus, photo, and quote, your mantra refreshes at 4 a.m. local time, giving you a new nugget of wisdom to ponder each day.
Background Photos
Momentum’s daily landscape photo changes each day at 4 am local time, just like your daily quote and mantra. You can also see who took the photo, hover your mouse cursor over the location at the bottom left corner of Momentum. To visit the photographer’s page, click their name.
The paid version: lets you skip photos, select your own photos and favorite photos.
To-do list
One of the standout features of Momentum is its built-in task manager, aptly named Todo. This isn’t just a basic checklist; it’s a streamlined tool designed to make your day-to-day task management a breeze. With Todo, you can effortlessly add new tasks with just a few clicks, making it easier than ever to jot down anything that comes to mind. The interface is clean and intuitive, allowing you to easily view and organize your tasks in a way that makes sense to you.
The paid version ties into 3rd party todo solutions: Asana, Todoist, Trello, Google Tasks, Wunderlist, BitBucket, GitHub and Basecamp 3.
Launchpad
Launchpad takes convenience to the next level by showcasing your most-frequented websites directly on your dashboard. Strategically located just below the clock, these shortcuts give you quick and easy access to the sites you visit the most, making your online experience even smoother.
Links and bookmarks
With Momentum’s Links feature, located at the top-left corner of your dashboard, you can easily compile and access all your go-to websites in one convenient spot. The best part? These saved links are tied to your Momentum account, so you can effortlessly pull them up on any computer where you’re logged into Momentum, ensuring a seamless browsing experience across multiple devices.