According to a University of Scranton survey released in December, 45 percent of Americans usually make a New Year's resolution. If you are part of this resolving group, statistically speaking, your chances of meeting your goal range from 14 to 39 percent.
Personal goals often have an impact in the business arena. Using a digital assistant to help organize your schedule, track efficient use of transportation and road time, or account for expenses enables organizations to reach new heights in corporate accountability. The list of business wins is deep. Integrated gadgetry can increase productivity and lower costs in many areas of operational efficiency.
According to the survey, those over the age of 50 have much less likely than others to complete their New Year's resolutions. The top three goals are to lose weight, get organized, and spend less/save more.
A confluence of inexpensive technology and adopted standards has led to a new breed of digital coaches helping individuals stay on track with their goals and complete daily tasks. Technology cannot overcome the human tendency to overpromise and underdeliver. However, options are now available for those who make the best use of technology.
Marketdata Enterprises said it expects the market for weight loss products and services to grow 4.5 percent in 2013 to $66.5 billion. Developers, hucksters, and businesses are attracted to dollars spent, much as sharks are attracted to blood in the water. Reaching your weight loss and fitness goals requires commitment and diligence, but technology can help the average Joe or Jolene reach the goal of increased fitness.
The Nike Fuel Band and the Wii Fit platform are two useful items helping people reach new heights of fitness. The Fuel Band helps track your progress, bringing a big-data approach to a big waistline. The Wii Fit puts a workout partner in your living room, providing real-time feedback on your technique and progress-based gamification of your daily workout.
A close friend of mine (not a technophile) has used an iPhone paired with his recently acquired Nike Fit bracelet to lose 45 pounds over the last few months.
Having a workout partner helps, as well. One of the goals of Facebook's new Graph Search tool is helping members find local people with common interests, such as a common goal of increased fitness. Many will ignore their game console, leave off the wrist technology, or disavow the daily regimen recommended by a digital trainer. But if you stand up your running or workout partner too many times, that partner will stop showing up. Social accountability (the guilt factor) and comparative progress with a human workout partner can help you make great strides toward any fitness goal. Using a social networking platform to find someone nearby and at the same level of fitness is a great first step in the long road to better fitness.
Getting organized, the No. 2 item on the resolution list, has also gotten some new helpers. Apple's Siri is a great use of technology. Offering voice response, scheduling integration, and access to often-needed information, Siri is the digital assistant we have all been wanting. I expect more market entries in this highly competitive space as the year progresses.
Spending less and saving more is a tough resolution to keep. Good money management is all about knowing where you are spending your dollars. Myriad applications can help you track where your money goes. This will become critical as cash fades away and e-wallets become more pervasive. Reporting on where you spent your money can be just a click away, if not now, then in the near future.
No amount of technology can overcome lack of action. When properly scoped and adopted, technology can help bridge the gap between success and failure. In many cases, well-implemented solutions bring functionality that previously was out of reach. People, time, and money are the three components of any process. Review how new and inexpensive technology has changed that mix of components as you work to reach your goals for 2013.
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