For many of us, the start of a new year is a clean page; a chance to make a fresh start on a new or existing personal or professional goal. However, whether simple or ambitious, New Year’s resolutions may be very easy to make, but they can be very difficult to keep. There are many reasons New Year’s resolutions are abandoned, ranging from simply forgetting about them to struggling to find a way to measure progress.
Fortunately, as with so many things, there are tech tools and apps that can help you follow through on the commitments you made on December 31. Below, 10 members of Forbes Technology Council recommend tech tools and tips—ranging from apps and hardware created for the sole purpose of managing resolutions to new ways to leverage the tools you’re likely already using every day—to help you stay on track to meet your New Year’s goals.
1. A Lock Screen Reminder
Document your goals, and then take a screenshot of them. Set that screenshot as the lock screen on your phone. Every time you check your phone, your resolutions will be right there. - Net Kohen, LinkMe
2. A Health And Fitness Smartwatch
It doesn’t matter what your New Year’s resolutions are—if you aren’t healthy, they can’t be accomplished. One piece of technology that has helped me is my running watch, which has kept me disciplined about my running routine, which I started in 2022. I’m now a “runner”—I’m much more healthy, and I knocked out most of my goals for the year, both professional and personal. - Carl Hung, Season Group
3. Social Media
There are many health and fitness apps available to track progress against goals, and many of them are free. Ultimately, however, you can silence the notifications, so while they are great for tracking progress, they are useless if you ignore them. I’ve found social media to be the best tool for keeping me accountable. I announce my goals on social media and have my friends hold me accountable for my progress. - Rohana Meade, Synergy Technical
4. StickK
My personal favorite is stickK. It uses a bit of social engineering—and putting your money where your mouth is—to help you stick with your goals. Set up a goal, attach a dollar amount, choose a destination such as a charity you love (or an “anti-charity” instead), and tap someone to keep you honest. Meet your commitment and pay nothing, or—if you slip a little—the money comes out of your pocket. - Dave Todaro, Ascendle
5. Google Calendar
I’d recommend using Google Calendar. In January, we all remember our New Year’s resolutions. In May? Not so much. Be realistic and forward-thinking about your goals, and then set a periodic reminder—such as every two weeks or every month. That’ll help you stay on track. - Jacob Mathison, Mathison Projects Inc.
6. Every Day Goal Calendar
It can only track one goal, but for your most important life goal, it might be worth getting an Every Day Goal Calendar. With a light for every day, you can easily see how your year is going at a glance, and that might be the motivation you need to work on your goal. It also doubles as a piece of art or conversation piece. - Luke Wallace, Bottle Rocket
7. Structured
I recently started using a productivity tool called Structured to manage my day through careful planning and time blocking. I believe this tool can help you accomplish your New Year’s resolutions because it allows you to visually structure your day, set recurring tasks and even track your progress. I’ve used it for several months and plan on using it to meet my goals for the new year. - Thomas Griffin, OptinMonster
8. A Task Management App
I would recommend a task management app. These applications allow users to organize and track their resolutions and tasks, set reminders, and prioritize their tasks so they can stay on track with their goals. They also allow users to collaborate with others on projects, so if someone is taking part in a group resolution, they can easily coordinate efforts with their team. - Fabio Moioli, Spencer Stuart
9. Strides
I would recommend the goal-setting app Strides. It is designed to help users set goals and stay on track by setting reminders and tracking progress. Strides also offers detailed analytics to track performance and progress. This can help users better understand their habits and adjust their strategies to stay on track and reach their goals. - Sean Toussi, Glo3D Inc.
10. Taking A Break From Tech
Studies show that most people can only effectively focus on one activity at a time. Our surroundings, media, clients and colleagues demand and compete for our attention. In my view, we do not need more technology to achieve goals—we need less! Proper digital hygiene, such as using airplane mode to reduce distractions, can go a long way. Let yourself be bored a little bit. And then focus on your No. 1 goal. - Alex Gudilko, AJProTech LLC
