Keep Resolutions on Track Using Your Windows Computer #IntelAIO [Sponsored]

How do you keep resolutions on track every year? Do you have tools that you fall back on? Do you have a plan? Every year I make resolutions, or as I like to call them, intentions and I set a plan for success. Some years I do better than others. (Disclosure: I am in a partnership with Intel. Through this partnership I gain access to content, product, or other forms of value. #spon)

Why Track Resolutions?

I’ve realized that it’s not the plan or the intent alone, that keeps resolutions on track, but instead it’s the tools you use to track. I’ve been very reluctant to make any resolutions this year because last year I didn’t succeed in keeping any of them. I started thinking about why I wasn’t successful and realized there are several reasons:

• I didn’t create S.M.A.R.T. goals
• I didn’t have a plan
• I didn’t track my progress
• I didn’t think about my resolutions after I created them

So what does all of this have to do with computers? Great question. This year I will set goals, have a plan and find ways to track my progress. As you may have noticed, I love technology, so I’m going to find a techie way to keep resolutions on track.

My AIO Computer In My Kitchen

I have a gorgeous AIO Intel computer in my kitchen which will be my main tracking device because it’s in a spot where I see it all the time. It’s in the main hub of my house and I can’t go a day without passing by it. A great reminder of what I’m working towards this year.

First, I will take my one word for the year and create a desktop image as a constant reminder of what I want to do this year. Wondering where I discovered the one word? Check out Ali Edwards’ One Little Word.

The word, Journey, is to remind me that “Life is a Journey, not a Destination.”

Keep Resolutions on Track With These Tools:

Many of my resolutions for this year, are a repeat from last year. Just because I didn’t succeed doesn’t mean I can’t try it again. I’ll share my resolution/goal/intention and the tech tool I’m using to track it.

Resolution: Lose 45 lbs during 2014 by working on new healthy habits each month and focusing on losing 5 lbs each month until I reach my goal.

Tech Tool: Bing Health & Fitness – With this app you can track your calories and exercise, find new workouts, check symptoms, find new recipes and much more. It’s great for keeping all your health resolutions on track.

Resolution: Create project plans for any new projects I take on either personally or professionally to stay organized and to have a better idea of my current and future work load.

Tech Tool: Project Timeline – I’m just getting started with this app and creating project timelines. I did it for work many moons ago, but never for my business. I’m hoping this will help me see my current and future big picture.

Resolution: Double my blog traffic by posting more consistently, using an editorial calendar(download my free editorial calendar template) and writing one evergreen piece every month.

Tech Tool: OneNote with Microsoft Office 365 – I use these apps for blogging and Project Life. They help me gather information from the internet, keep my editorial calendar updated and track any stats I want. Because I have this computer in the kitchen, I often have an “a-hah” blog post idea and I quickly jot it down in OneNote.

Resolution: Be more active daily by walking at least 10,000 steps every day.

Tech Tool: Fitbit – The Fitbit updates your app when you are near your phone (which for me is all the time) so I check my stats quite often when I pass through the kitchen. The Fitbit app is always open so I can see how I’m doing.

Resolution: Read one book each week and not buy a new book unless I’ve read at least 2 that are in my Kindle.

Tech Tool: Kindle app – Since this computer is in the kitchen, I’m going to read books while I’m cooking dinner. Usually I watch the news (on my computer), but a few days a week, I’ll open up Kindle and get some reading done.

Resolution: Stay in touch with my family by having regular video chats with those that are far away.

Tech Tool: Skype – Being able to see my family through Skype isn’t the same as in person, but it’s darn near close. You can take this computer and put it at the dinner table and have dinner with your family who is far away.

Resolution: Finish Project Life in 2014 by focusing on weekly photos and editing them the same week.

Tech Tool: Adobe Photoshop Express – I’ve always been a big Adobe Photoshop Elements fan and while the express version isn’t as feature-filled as Elements, it has enough features to help me edit my everyday photos for Project Life. I like using my finger to make the adjustments and because I can unplug this AIO and take it with me to the family room, I can edit photos while watching movies.

Resolution: Create a daily task list with the 3 most important tasks to accomplish that day to ward of my procrastination

Tech Tool: Evernote – I use Evernote as my big picture task keeper because they have the task notes now and when I’ve completed a task, I love the feeling of taking my finger and checking off that box. DONE feels good!

Resolution: Create a big picture plan of what I want to carry out in my blog so I know where I’m going and what I need to do to get there.

Tech Tool: NovaMind Mindmaps – MIndmaps are a great visual way to see the big picture. I love creating them on a touch screen computer because it feels more interactive and like I’m playing in stead of working.

Resolution: Have more fun!

Tech Tool: HP Rove – The HP Rove Intel AIO mobile computer is perfect for helping me have more fun. There are many games installed and instead of just playing by myself, we can move the computer to the table or floor, lay it flat and play monopoly as a family. Such a cool tech tool for keeping resolutions.

That’s a lot to do in a year, but I’m hoping by having more short-term goals and tracking the goals daily on my computer, I’ll accomplish all of them. I plan to put the one word desktop image on all of my computers and I’ll create smaller versions for my tablets and smart phone.

What are your resolutions for 2014? Do you use your computer to keep resolutions on track? What tools do you use? Let me know if you have an awesome tool that I missed.

For more information about the HP Rove or Intel AIO computers:

Dislosure: #spon I am in a partnership with Intel. Through this partnership I gain access to content, product, or other forms of value. All opinions are my own. #IntelAIO