Forget whether or not you fulfilled them, can you even remember your 2009 New Year’s resolutions? If you can, I’d to say you are ahead of the pack. It seems that every year we get swept up in the excitement of a new year and a fresh start, and decide to use that momentum to make promises to ourselves which sadly, we rarely keep. While ambition is an invaluable resource, having the right tools in place to carry out your goals is just as important in building good, long-lasting habits.
Based on some on the most common resolutions for 2010, we have compiled a list of our favorite tools that will help you get the jumpstart you need for the new year.
Save more/Spend less/Get out of debt
Mint – Whether you’re deep in the red or just want to get a better hold of your finances, Mint is great (free!) tool that compiles all your financial information onto one place. From there, you can set your grocery budget for the month, set custom spending alerts, or plan your next vacation. Best of all, you don’t have to be an accountant to use it.
RedLaser – During the past year, a breakthrough has occurred in barcode scanning technology for smartphones. There are now a handful of applications that will scan almost any barcode you can find (and I’ve tried some strange ones), and automatically search the web to find the lowest price for that product. The best one so far is RedLaser for the iPhone.
Exercise more/Eat better/Stay healthy
Nike+ – If you are runner, the Nike+ program has some great resources to help you train and track your progress. While you still have to do the work, the recommended music lists, training videos, and shoes that sync with your iPod are all nice incentives.
WeightWatchers – Fad diets come and go, so there is something to be said for a health program that has lasted for over 40 years. WeightWatchers offers a sensible approach to eating right and exercising, and provides the tools, support, and education needed to lose weight and keep it off.
Build healthy relationships
Facebook – I know, chances are you already have a Facebook account, but when was the last time you used it to re-connect with a good friend or family member? Facebook provides an efficient way to catch up on people’s lives and drop little notes to your loved ones, reminding them that they are important to you (throwing sheep doesn’t count). So write a quick note on grandma’s wall. If grandma doesn’t have an account, sign her up and show her the ropes. She will be thankful that you did.
Bing Travel - Because Facebook can only go so far, one great resolution to make is to visit your family and friends more often. If you search on Bing for flights, it will not only pull in the lowest fares from multiple airlines, but it will actually predict when the fares will go down! Try it out and plan a weekend trip to see the ones you love.
Keep 2010 resolutions!
Moleskine Notebook – According to a poll at LifeHacker, the best way to keep track of your goals is…(drum roll)…pen and paper! Writing down your goals not only helps you remember them, it is also a psychological motivator. We recommend the official Moleskine notebooks for a stylish, durable, and portable solution for 2010.
Joe’s Goals – If you want a simple way to track your goals online, Joe’s Goals is a simple and free way to manage your goals. The interface is friendly and there is a surprising amount of flexibility. Share it with your friends for some added accountability.
There you have it, tools that will help put your resolutions into reality.
What tools will you use to jumpstart your resolutions?
Let us know in the comments.
Tags: new, resolutions, years
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