When it comes to your professional life or your business, leveraging technology can have a major impact on how quickly and how well you’re able to get things done. But technology doesn’t have to be limited to work software or mobile apps. Often, it’s the latest gadget you find yourself unable to live without.
Here, the members of Young Entrepreneur Council consider their top tech purchases of late and discuss why these eight gadgets are indispensable to their day-to-day lives. If you’re looking for something to boost your productivity and improve your morale during the workday, consider one of the following leader-recommended gadgets.
Members pictured from left to right.
Photos courtesy of the individual members.
1. My Bose QuietComfort Headphones
I love my Bose QuietComfort headphones. I know many people prefer AirPods because they’re small and convenient to bring everywhere, but they just don’t come close to my Bose. First, it has a noise-canceling feature, which is important when I’m in my work mode and during my much-needed downtime. When I’m working from home and talking to my team or taking other professional and official calls, no one can hear my family in the background. When I want to listen to music, I can shut off the rest of the world. When I’m in between—enjoying my downtime, but I want to be able to hear when someone calls for me or when a message pings on my laptop or cellphone—the headset has an awareness mode too. While it looks pretty bulky, it’s actually very light. Sometimes I forget that I have it around my neck. – Bryce Welker, Crush The GRE Test
2. My RENPHO Foot Massager
I keep a RENPHO foot massager under my desk at home and it’s a game-changer. I’m currently training for a marathon in Antarctica, so after a morning run, the best thing I can do is pour a hot cup of coffee in my Ember mug, head over to my home office, stick my feet into the massager with kneading, air and heat intensity on high, and just dive right into Slack or a Zoom meeting. It’s recovery, relaxation, caffeine and productivity combined. – Jonathan Ronzio, Trainual
3. My Synology Network Attached Storage
The latest gadget I can’t live without is my Synology Network Attached Storage (NAS). It’s a device that connects to my home network, enabling me to store and access data from any computer or mobile device. It keeps all of my files in sync across multiple devices and helps keep them secure with encryption. I also use it to store audiobooks that I listen to while commuting, exercising or working on other tasks. Having this media accessible from wherever I am makes it easy for me to stay entertained and informed during those times. Overall, my Synology NAS has truly revolutionized the way I access and manage data both at home and on the go. Without it, staying organized would be much more difficult and time-consuming. – Adam Preiser, WPCrafter
4. My Smartphone
Our modern world offers us the incredible convenience of being able to do nearly anything we need to on our phones. As a businessperson, I find that my phone is an invaluable tool. With it, I can take professional-level videos, meet and collaborate remotely with clients and colleagues, pay bills in seconds flat and even stay up to date with my social media presence. With just my phone in hand, I’m ready to follow up on tasks wherever I am. My phone has become such an essential part of my life that it’s hard to imagine going back to using notepads and pens or leaving work unfinished because I forgot my laptop at home. Overall, it’s a vital part of my workflow and helps me stay organized and productive even when I am traveling for business or working on multiple projects and tasks. – Tonika Bruce, Lead Nicely, Inc.
5. My Auto-Adjustable Table
An auto-adjustable table is the latest addition to my professional life, and believe me, I can’t work without it. Now, I can work in any position that suits me. It’s crucial for professionals whose occupations revolve around a workstation, desk or computer to invest in high-quality furniture that supports productivity and health. The advantages of an automatic, height-adjustable table are numerous. Adjustable chairs can’t always fix the problem of a work surface that is too low or too high because not everyone is of average height. Secondly, an auto-adjustable table eliminates the need to move bulky equipment, saving you time that could be spent working. These tables also give you the freedom to move around without restriction, enabling you to work more effectively and efficiently. – Vikas Agrawal, Infobrandz
6. My Theragun
The latest gadget I can’t live without is my Theragun. The Theragun uses percussive therapy to target tense muscles and speed up recovery, which is excellent after sitting for over eight hours daily. Although commonly used by athletes, a Theragun is also perfect for working professionals who sit for prolonged periods or those looking to relieve muscle tension after a long day. As the CEO and founder of a thriving company, I find myself tense and needing relaxation after a long day. With responsibilities outside of work, like being a parent, I can’t just check out for the day whenever my back hurts. So, every day, I get out my Theragun to help melt the stress and tension of the day away. – Jared Weitz, United Capital Source Inc.
7. My WHOOP
I’m a big fan of my WHOOP. When you’re running a venture-backed startup, it’s easy to fall into a pattern of working constantly. Sleep and health often get squeezed out while trying to fit all the work in. So, I got a WHOOP to keep track of my sleep and fitness activity and hold myself accountable to staying fit and rested for the long haul. It’s made a big difference in my daily routine, benefiting my overall health, energy and business performance. – Andrew Powell, Learn to Win
8. My MacBook Pro
The latest gadget I can’t live without is my MacBook Pro. It’s my daily driver as I can literally bring my office wherever I go. Primarily, I use the device to communicate with my team and collaborate on tasks that require my input. It also helps me stay connected with my social circle and interact with like-minded professionals via online communities. I even use it to learn new things that help me be better. So in a way, it also facilitates my learning and growth. – Stephanie Wells, Formidable Forms