It is possible to transform your life and business with the help of some incredible apps. We've scoured the app store in search of some of the top apps that can make a positive difference to your work-life balance.
Why not put the pen and paper down and try managing your life via smartphone? You may be surprised at the results.
What is 'work-life balance' anyway?
Work Life balance is a term that is frequently thrown around by everyone from managers through to entrepreneurs within every industry imaginable. More than 40% of employees & business owners are neglecting other aspects of their life because of work*.
Work Life balance: There's an app for that!
Whatever is most important to you, there's going to be an app for that!
Here at Kaizen Klub we have researched 8 apps that can help you to find work life balance- helping you avoid stress, stay active, find fulfilment and make a positive difference.
Kaizen Klub's graphic designer Katy is an overworked freelancer who has set out to test our top 10 work-life balance apps:
"I know all too well how difficult it is to find time for friends, family and other hobbies in a hectic schedule. We all know that we should budget time wisely but unfortunately that isn't always the case."
"I used to get lost in to-do lists sprawled over multiple pieces of paper. Some of these apps are so amazing I wonder how I ever lived without them. My favourites are Wunderlist and Coach.me"
Five kickass work-life balance apps
Schedule Management Apps
1. Wunderlist
Wunderlist describes itself as the "easiest way to get stuff done" and is one of the most complete to do list scheduling apps in existence. If you're looking for something to foster your constructiveness, then this is the app for you.
What can it be used for?
- Comprehensive planning- star important tasks and create multiple lists
- Sort tasks by priority and due date
- Add notes to tasks
- Task collaboration- assign up to 25 people
Katy's verdict: "What I love about Wunderlist is the ability to create different lists, and then make certain tasks interact with each other. 9/10"
2. Cozi Family organizer
Cozi is every busy and/or large family's dream- you can use it to track and view multiple people's schedules and generally keep on top of all of the aspects of family life from one hub.
What can it be used for?
- A family calendar which tracks every family member's schedule
- Store appointments for all the family
- A shared grocery list
- A family to-do list
Goal setting & coaching apps
3. Coach.me
Coach.me is an app that facilitates goal advancement, backed up by expert life coaches. It is great for making sure you stay consistent with goals like reminders to drink water, meditate or go for a walk outside.
What can it be used for?
- Daily tracking of goals
- Reminders
- Monitors your progress through interactive charts and tables
- Motivation: there's a great community to turn to and interact with
Katy's verdict: "I was impressed with Coach.me's variety of features and activities bringing me one step closer to my ideal work-life balance. This ranges from play time with my son to a 15 minute yoga session ensuring I get some me-time every morning. 9/10"
4. Bloom*
Bloom* is a popular productivity app designed to keep you grounded. It can be seen as more of a 'to be' than a 'to do' list. It offers some unique and fun personalisation options and is great for workaholics needing that reminder to live a more holistic lifestyle.
What can it be used for?
- Schedule alerts to keep your day focused on what matters most to you
- Share goals and interact with friends and family
Productivity apps
5. The Focus Booster
The Focus Booster app aims to make time tracking and goal meeting all the more effective.
What can it be used for?
- Can be used in either home or work life to track time spent on different activities
- Presents a timer based upon a colour sequence that counts down to zero
- Perfect for completing that to the minute work deadline
Katy's verdict: "The timer aspect of the app means it is great for serial procrastinators, and perhaps freelancers who need to track how long they spend on certain tasks. 7/10"
6. Toggl
Toggl is a time-tracking app with over 1million users.
What can it be used for?
- Helps people track time and can mark it as 'billable' or not
- Time can be organised by projects
- Reports are generated automatically and can be emailed directly to customers or bosses
- Toggl is a convenient and attractive time-tracking app for all projects.
Katy's verdict: "I love that you can record as many projects as you like on here. As a freelancer, this app is an absolute game-changer. 9/10"
Mental and physical health apps
7. Sleep Cycle Alarm Clock
The Sleep Cycle Alarm Clock is a sleep monitoring app that, when placed beside you in bed, wakes you up during your lightest sleep phase... pretty clever stuff, right?
What can it be used for?
Waking up gently in your lightest sleep phase, feeling refreshed, alert and ready for the day
Monitoring your quality of sleep and sleep phases during the night
8. Nike Training app
Nike Training Club is a great app for those of us who don't have the time to hit the gym everyday.
What can it be used for?
- Choose your exercise time and which area of the body you want to focus on.
- Shows you exactly how to do the exercises, and includes a timer
Which App Is Right For You?
To pick the app that works well for you, I suggest trying them all out to see which best accommodates your lifestyle. Do you swear by an app for work-life balance that isn't mentioned here? Let us know in the comments below!
This post first appeared on www.kaizenklub.com
*According to research carried out by the Mental Health Foundation, UK