For most people, resolutions involve goal setting, personal and professional life reevaluation, and a renewed sense of self. Despite a positive attitude and high motivation that comes at the turn of the year, we all still need a little help keeping our resolutions after the motivation fades. For those with increasing responsibilities and little-to-no time available, gadgets and apps are helping to create and maintain a work-life balance. Companies, both large and small, are increasingly more aware of the need to provide employees a balanced life--not only to increase business productivity and employee retention, but also to keep employees happy and healthy.  

                                                          

The Balancing Act  

Balancing your life means taking a step back, looking at the larger picture, and then prioritizing. Balancing your professional life can involve finding new ways to keep productivity high and stress low, whereas balancing your personal life could include making more time for you and your family. To help get yourself into gear, there are apps and gadgets readily available. Check out resourceful gadgets like Microsoft Band. Microsoft Band is Microsoft's new wearable wrist product that enables users to monitor and preview e-mail activity, receive calendar alerts, set reminders and receive alerts via Microsoft's digital assistant, and track daily physical activity. To further balance your personal life, take advantage of gadgets like the vacuum cleaning robot Roomba, or a 10-minute clothing care system like Swash. There are many smart, resourceful gadgets to free up your time and spend it on more important things. If apps are more your thing, there are apps perfect for maximizing both your personal and professional life, such as Google Apps for Work and Evernote.

 

Perk It Up    

 

Larger companies who acknowledge and implement a work-life balance include Airbnb, Twitter, and Yelp. Airbnb, a San Francisco-based travel company, focuses on supplying customers with unique travel experiences in more than 34,000 cities and 190 countries. Following its own mantra, employees receive $2,000 yearly to travel the globe. Airbnb employees are also immersed in worldly elements within each office space, which are modeled after popular Airbnb listings. Other perks include an on-site kitchen, where lunch is prepared daily by a chef.    

If you want to create a more balanced life, you can be better equipped to follow through on your resolutions with the help of some handy, ingenious gadgets, clever apps, and a supportive company that has your best-interest in mind. 

 

Sincerely,