As a woman, I am programmed to multitask. It’s in my genetic code. Some of us can run on a treadmill, catch up on the news and paint our nails at the same time. Others, well, they can try to do all of that, but they usually end up dropping that nail polish bottle and turning that hasty manicure into an accidental pedicure.

While the ability to multitask is a survival skill I’ve been refining from birth, as a community manager, it is a requirement of my job. From the minute I wake up until I go to bed, I am doing more than one thing at once. And I don’t doubt it’s different for many of you. Who wakes up in the morning and only eats breakfast? We’re usually eating while either watching re-runs of Sabrina the news or catching up on emails or blogs. And then there are those days when you wake up late, and you’re trying to eat, shower, get dressed and check email all at once. (I don’t recommend holding one hand outside the shower. It greatly slows down the showering process — not that I’d know.)

I haven’t been able to figure out if the iPhone is a force of good or evil when it comes to multitasking. On one hand, it’s made it worse. At times when I should be focusing on one thing, I’m still doing something else on my phone. (Hello Bejeweled! It’s the conference-call boredom killer.) And now with the proximity sensor issue still looming large, even my ears are multitasking! (Deep breath.) On the other hand, multitasking is invaluable when trying to get through a busy workday when a to-do list longer than LeBron’s pants stands between you and the latest ep of So You Think You Can Dance.

The following is my list of must-have apps for multitaskers. Hopefully, you’ll find something useful here, whether you’re a task-juggling savant or prone to accidental pedicures. [Links open in iTunes]:

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Chase Mobile SM (free) – Going to the bank is such a pain. There’s never enough parking. They’re not open when I get out of work, and there isn’t a location nearby. With the Chase app, I can not only pay bills and check balances, but I can even deposit checks — all from my office or the comfort of my couch. Of course it would be nice if it had a built-in ATM! But with this app, at least I can get my finances in order while I’m stuck on a long, dull conference call.

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WordPress (free) – Whether you’re an amateur or pro blogger, if you use WordPress, then this iPhone app is a must-have. The most recent update includes optimization for the Retina Display and support for fast app switching. Now, if you need to do research on the web or want to switch songs on Pandora, you won’t lose your place while you’re working on a post. I don’t know about you, but I need the right music to to get the creative juices flowing. I take any opportunity I can to get some writing done, so it’s nice having an app to depend on.

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Apple Store (free) – I have a horrible memory. I had been meaning to schedule a Genius Bar appointment for a while, but kept forgetting. While at lunch with co-workers, out of the blue I remembered the task and was able to make my appointment right from the app. I also love that I can shop, read reviews and find nearby Apple stores on a whim.

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Dunkin’ Run (free) – I work at a start-up, so we all wear many hats. Some days I’m the bearer of coffee, and other days it’s waiting for me when I get there. I also mentioned that I have a bad memory — I can forget your order in less time than it took you to say it. Thanks to Dunkin’ Run, the process of grabbing caffeine for my team isn’t difficult. You can invite your coworkers to the app, where they will select their order. And you can pick it up on the way in to work. The runner has an organized list of everyone’s order, which ensures that no coffee gets left behind.

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Those are just a few of the apps in my multitasking folder (I love folders!) Even if you can’t tackle more than two tasks at once, I’m confident these apps will make your day-to-day activities a bit easier to manage. Which apps would be in your multitasking folder? Leave your favorites in the comments below.