Astraware’s LifeStyle Applications: Llamagraphics’ Life Balance

With over 140 applications for most handheld platforms, Astraware is uniquely positioned to cater to anyone’s gaming and entertainment needs. Reviewing applications for Astraware can be a daunting task as they have such a wide range of diverse, quality applications. Recently, they have included some of the best stable of applications for everyday use cementing their hold as “the home of handheld entertainment”. I will be reviewing a number of applications from their gaming and Lifestyle sections over the next few days.

As the world gets smaller and the information super-highway speeds at such a frenetic pace that continues to only get faster and faster, our lives at home and at work can reflect these changes for better or for worse. If we’re not careful, the speed at which the world moves may cut into our personal and family lives. This is the reason, I believe, that there are so many time management books, audio books, and videos out on the market. People are searching for ways to become more effective in their respective roles as husband or wife, employer or employee, brother or sister, etc. Additionally, we are on the constant look out for ways that make us more efficient at the work place. Moreover, we are constantly looking for ways to protect our relaxing down times with friends and family. Given the world’s pace, it would be easy to lose that ever-elusive balance in life and we all need something to point out the direction we’re going as well as point us back in the direction that we ought to be going. This is where Llamagraphics’ Life Balance comes into the picture.

About three weeks ago I got a hold of software that I believe everyone should have on their PDA if they truly wish to keep tabs on how their lives are being steered day to day, week to week and month to month. The fine folks at Llamagraphics came up a unique and powerful application, Life Balance.

At first glance, Life Balance looks like any other “to do” checklist. However, it is much more sophisticated. Life Balance gives you a snapshot of where your life is headed based on the goals and values that you have previously defined in the program. Over time, you can see whether or not you stayed on track or not. If not, Life Balance can show you where you’ve committed most of your time or where you need to spend a bit more time to achieve defined by the parameters you set that would help you live a balanced life.

One of the beauties of this program is that you can fine tune or adjust your goals as they may very in importance from time to time. For example, if I’ve defined that an all-important and upcoming project take up most of my time, I can restructure my goals for a designated time period through Life Balance and it will accommodate that particular focus. Moreover, Life Balance will still keep track of the other things in my life that I have defined previously.

There are four key sections in Life Balance. The first one is the Outline. This is where most of the goal-setting takes place. It will also be the place where users will initially spend much of their time as this is essential in setting up the application. Here, you’ll be able to define your top-level goals as well as the smaller projects necessary to achieve them.

The second section is the To-Do list. This is the section where users will regularly update whether or not they’ve completed or have yet to complete a project or goal. The third section is the Places area. Here, you’ll assign the appropriate places for your more important daily, weekly and monthly activities. This, also, provides you the ability to filter your to-do list based on a particular location.

The last area is my favorite: the Balance section. Here, there are two pie charts. The first one displays the desired life users defined in the Outline section. The slices on the pie chart can be adjusted depending on the weight of importance you place on your goals. The second pie chart is the Actual graphic. This conveniently shows users what they’ve achieved thus far. With the pie charts placed side by side, users can clearly see what areas they’ve successfully set out to accomplish; or, conversely, what areas may need a bit more focus or rethinking.

One of the best and most appropriate designations that Life Balance has is “Life Coach”. This application will assist or “coach” you in reaching your goals, while breaking down each of the smaller steps essential to achieve them, into individual, attainable projects. In other words, the smaller steps necessary to completing a particular goal, no matter how grand or small will be realized as you are brought closer and closer to your goals. Even with the abundance of planning and time management styles, Life Balance affords users the flexibility of adapting to any particular method you may subscribe to.

There is no other program like Life Balance in the market today. It is a powerful and sophisticated program that can change your life. It stands alone as the life coach needed to pinpoint or persuade the path your life is taking. This is the essential application that I’ve been looking for all these years.

Life Balance for the Palm can be purchased at Astraware’s site. Also, if you favor full synchronization with a desktop conduit, you can find it at the corresponding link above. Give Life Balance a test drive by taking advantage of the free demo.

-Kevin Agot, Associate Writer, Carmichael, CA (USA)