Technology exists to make our lives easier – so why shouldn’t technology make our New Year’s goals easier to achieve too? With these gadgets, apps and websites, your best self is within reach.
Lose Weight & Get In Shape Gadget
Fitbit’s Zip wireless activity tracker is a tiny clip-on device you can wear on your shirt, belt or armband that detects motion and digitally records it, calculating how many steps you’ve taken and how many calories you’ve burned. Better than your basic pedometer, Zip’s calculations are based on your personal stats, not averages. It also works seamlessly with MyFitnessPal, Lose It!, Map My Fitness and other apps. $59.95
Learn Something New Website
With Skillshare.com, you can take a class on just about any subject either in person or online. Class costs vary but tend to be affordable, and the breadth of subjects is sure to capture your imagination. Topics range from calligraphy, character concept art and tattooing to marketing, logo design, branding, DIY audio mixing, computer programs, painting, business building, and web design for small businesses – to name a few. There’s even a class on how to launch a successful Kickstarter campaign.
Quit Smoking Gadget
E-Cigarettes are too easy – you can find one anywhere. Not so for the Ruyan E-Pipe and E-Cigar, which along with being far more exotic, purport to deliver the entire smoking experience (minus the carcinogens). Working on the same principles as your typical e-cigarette (they’re loaded with nicotine and puff out steam), Ruyan series products have taken China by storm and are currently sold around the world.
Finding Work-Life Balance Apps
iPlanSuccess, available on the iOS iPad for $6.99 is a task management application that forces you to spread your goals out between work, personal life, social life, and family life, while defining your values, strengths, and time management skills.
Magic Future is like an automated, self-directed life coach online. Buy either the audiobook or the paperback Slaying Dragons and Moving Mountains and receive free access to the website, workbook and MagicMobile app on iTunes. Magic Future combines financial planning with personal and professional goal setting in a framework of a community of go-getters ready to support each other in making lasting positive life changes.
Read More Gadget
E-readers are becoming increasingly popular, even among old-fashioned booklovers, because they are so portable and easy to use. Not only do e-books cost less, they’re instant – arriving just as fast as your computer can download.