Productivity, leadership experts say, is far different from being busy. Between the two concepts, management experts recommend productivity as it ensures that something gets done. In contrast, being busy does not necessarily guarantee results. When it comes to productivity in this present generation, however, numerous distractions keep people from finishing what they ought to. This is all about to change as Sarad Dhungel has developed a productivity application called “StretchYo” that provides a technological solution to help people focus on more important things.
The StretchYo app is also designed to be a form of challenge to users, pushing them to move forward to meet their goals even when they are tempted not to. Additionally, the app will help them finally start the new hobbies they have always wanted to try out but never seemed to have the time to do so.
Sarad Dhungel’s passion for personal development is rooted in his own experiences. “My vision is to create the #1 app for personal transformation, helping people adopt healthier habits through fun, interactive experiences,” he explains. His background in engineering and his entrepreneurial spirit, inspired by his late father, fuel his innovative approach.
The emerging app features a to-do list that will teach users to prioritize tasks they hope to achieve for the day. Throughout the day, the app will send reminders to users to compel them to achieve their goals on schedule. Somewhere in between are short breaks, prompts to play some music, and even daily challenges to make them step out of their comfort zones. They can opt to pursue hobbies by simply starting small and taking baby steps for a prescribed period. The end goal will always be to help users develop a healthy lifestyle, and the fun part is they can invite a friend to do the challenge with them.
At present, Sarad is working on adding more features, which include adding soothing music for relaxation, incorporating AI powered personalization for tailored support and community feature features to foster connection and mentorship. This holistic approach positions StretchYo as a platform for productivity and overall well-being.
Sarad worked on the app for more than a year and invited a support team from back home Nepal to join him. The first six months involved understanding what the market needs and how people go about their day-to-day lives. While doing this, he started taking notes on how to make them more fun, interactive, and engaging, among others.
By profession, Sarad is an software developer in test and has always been passionate about technology and quality. He is a native of Nepal, and he moved to the United States when he was 19 years old to get his university degree. His late father, who passed away in April 2020, was an entrepreneur who inspired Sarad to try out business and couple it with his love for technology.
In 2015, Sarad was the team leader from Howard University’s engineering class that created the project known as Slate8, which won third place in the Intel-Cornell Cup. The project was designed to help hearing-impaired individuals communicate effectively with anyone who is not familiar with American Sign Language (ASL). The project’s system used an Intel atom board with a camera that streams video as input. It is then converted into either text or audio that uses real-time image processing algorithms.
Creating the app is also a big leap for Sarad, who has had his fair share of misgivings in the past. “It’s not waiting for the right time, you know, but rather just starting now and seeing how things will connect moving forward. Because I spend years thinking about these ideas and not doing anything. I was kind of scared, and eventually, like, when life hit me hard, then I was kind of very sure that I had to do something about it. I cannot just sit with these ideas and be sad about not doing anything. I decided that it was the right time for me to at least start something,” the young engineer shared.
Released in December 2022 and actively updated based on user feedback, StretchYo is poised to revolutionize how people approach productivity and wellness. Its focus on both personal growth and technological innovation sets it apart in a crowded market.
To learn more about StretchYo, visit the official website.
Published by: Nelly Chavez
