In my career I have used a lot of productivity tools. I have used time trackers, invoice systems, project management systems, time management systems, calendars, to-do lists, productivity systems, personal management systems, personal databases, personal time management systems, communication systems, and virtually every type of application that is out there. However, in my entire career, one of the most productive tools I have ever used (to help me learn more) was Google Reader.

Within Google Reader you are able to set almost any RSS feed to get loaded into Google Reader. It basically becomes a one stop source for all possible reading material. This helps me to keep track of many different updates to third party systems, and updates to API's, and a variety of other information as well. They give me access to almost all development, self-help, and productivity blogs out there. It allows me to review them all in one place without having to go all over the internet. I highly recommend Google Reader to virtually anyway.

If you are a heavy reader, then you need Google Reader. If you have just one blog or reading source that you visit, then Google Reader won't really help you. If you have at least 2, then you will save time in your day by hooking them into Google Reader. This saves you a lot of time, because they are all in one place. Not to mention you get an advantage over reviewing traditional blogs. First off, Google Reader allows you to star/save them. It also allows you to tag them. You can do all of this inside Google Reader, when you can't normally do it inside the standard blogging systems. Which allows you to save information for later, and a variety of other things. I use Google Reader to review self help material, hobby material (video games, comics, and other hobbies), as well as development material. It's a great source of information. Not to mention it's built in subscription finder allows you to hunt down material online that you are interested in, and just throw it directly into that format. It's a great utility, and I recommend it to anyone.