Accomplish your New Year’s resolutions with the handiest tech tools on the market! Here are 7 ways you can use technology to set, reach, and surpass your 2024 goals:

  1. Ask AI to help you set your New Year’s resolutions. If you haven’t already created your resolutions, chat with Google Bard, ChatGPT, or Microsoft Bing Chat. You could start by asking, “What are some common New Year’s resolutions?” and get more specific once you know what kind of resolutions you want. For example, you could say, “Give me 3 New Year’s resolutions for someone who likes to read and travel.” Then, continue to narrow your resolutions until you have time-bound, achievable, and personalized goals with a plan to complete them.
  2. Use apps to get organized and track your progress. Smart phones have preloaded reminder and calendar apps, but you can also try a free to-do list or note-taking app like Todoist, Google Tasks or Google Keep, Microsoft To Do, or Evernote to integrate your existing digital calendar and organize your to-do lists from your phone, tablet or computer. To increase your motivation by gamifying the process, download a time management app like Forest or a habit tracking app like Habitica.
  3. Share your resolutions and victories on a blog or social media. Showing others your goals will keep you accountable, and you can involve them in your journey by updating them about your progress. Then, your friends and family can cheer you on!
  4. Investigate more free apps to help you with your specific goals. For example, if you want to develop your cooking skills this year, try to organize your recipes in an app like BigOven or Instapaper. Find free apps for managing your money (Rakuten or RocketMoney), tracking calories (Cronometer), taking control of the time you spend on your phone (ScreenZen), improving mental wellness (Clarity), and much more.
  5. If your goal is to be more active, make use of the Apple Health app or Google Fit app. You don’t need to buy new wearable technology like a FitBit or Apple Watch, but they can help you streamline your activity tracking.
  6. If you want to read more or different kinds of books, not only our print collection and inter-library loan services but also the Libby and Hoopla apps can help you access nearly any book you need. The Beanstack or Goodreads apps can also help you keep track of how many books you read.

A visit to the Library can help you achieve your New Year’s resolutions in so many more ways! Our Library of Things has multiple gadgets to try. Try the Instant Pot, Air Fryer, Waffle Maker, and other kitchen gear to help you achieve your cooking aspirations. If your goal is to learn a new skill or hobby, visit our Creative Space to tinker with the Cricuts and 3D printer, or borrow the sewing machine. Check out the binoculars, telescope, snow shoes, or mobile hotspot if your goal is to experience nature.