With the New Year upon us, now is a perfect time for new commitments and a fresh start.
For many of us, this means attempting to lead a life that’s more balanced—and a bit more organized too.
Unfortunately, though, many of our commitments are destined to fail. Nearly half of all Americans make New Year’s resolutions, but only eight percent end up following through.
Most of us have the best of intentions, but without a solid plan, and the right tools—it’s easy to slip back into old habits. Living a balanced and organized life doesn’t always come naturally, especially when so many things in life seem to constantly fight against it.
The good news, though, is that there are tools available today that can make finding balance a lot easier! These tools are often available in the form of apps, but sometimes, having a tangible device—like a day planner or a wearable activity tracker—can help tremendously too. Additionally, help also comes in the form of strategies which can allow you to prioritize and claim back time for yourself.
With this in mind let’s take a look at five things that can help to lighten the load and make leading a balanced life easier.
1. Airplane Mode
Airplane mode may seem like an unlikely tool—but taking time to disconnect from the internet is important. Consider making dinnertime, or a couple of hours before bed your time to unplug and give yourself a digital “detox.” This means no texting and no checking your emails. Setting your phone to airplane mode can help you to resist the temptation to check it—giving you a chance to fully unwind from the stresses of the day.
2. Alerts
Another tool that can aid with balance is alerts—or alarms. By setting alarms on your phone, you can hold yourself accountable to completing tasks in a certain timeframe. It will also help you to know when you should wrap up your work for the day, making it easier for you to carve out time to focus on your family, your friends, and yourself.
3. An Activity Log
If accountability is something that you struggle with, consider keeping an activity log for a couple of days. You may be surprised where your time is going! You can also use an app like FocusMe, which will show you where you spent your time online. This app even has the ability to block certain websites and apps, making it easier to claim back your time. You can even schedule break reminders—to remind yourself to get up, stretch, and rest your eyes.
4. A Fitness App
Exercise, health, and getting fresh air are important for a balanced life. While it’s easy to let work and pressing obligations eat into your time, carving out time to get a workout in a few times a week is essential—even if your workout comes in the form of a brief jog or a walk. For fitness goals, consider adding an app like the Fitbit—which, along with the wearable activity tracker, can help you to monitor just about every aspect of your health—including exercise, sleep, and weight—helping you to reach your goals.
5. A Day Planner
Finally, don’t underestimate the importance of a daily planner. A planner can help you to track and manage your time, allowing you to plan out your day to get the most out of it. With Day Designer, you can map out your day, prioritize, and plan in a way that’s in line with your overarching goals and priorities. This will not only make it easy to keep track of daily tasks—but will also help to keep you motivated, on course, and focused on the things that matter most.
Finding balance can be difficult, but taking advantage of the tools that are available today can set you up for success! The new year is a great time for change—and you can make it happen.
What tools do you use to find balance? Share your favorite tools, apps, or strategies with us!