Back to Basics : Habit Tracking
Why I replaced all Habit-Tracking apps for a whiteboard and paper
Hello, Cold Brew Community!
In today's edition, we're taking a step back from the digital world and embracing the simplicity of physical habit tracking. We'll explore how to set up your own habit tracker, what’s been working for me, and how to keep going even when you miss a day. I have replaced all my habit-tracking apps with a WhiteBoard & a Marker, Pen & Paper, keep reading to know why.
Why Habit Tracking?
Habit-Tracking is as simple as it sounds, tracking the habits you want to automate in your life. Here’s a quote that sums up why Habit-Tracking:
“We become what we repeatedly do” — Stephen Covey
Habit tracking is a powerful tool that can help you build new behaviors and break old ones. By physically marking off each day you complete your chosen habit, you create a visual reminder of your progress and commitment.
Setting Up Your Habit Tracker
All you need to get started is a notebook, a pen, and a list of habits you want to cultivate. Dedicate a page to each habit and create a simple grid with the dates of the month. Each day you complete your habit, mark off the corresponding date. Over time, you'll see a chain of success that motivates you to keep going.
What’s working for me
I rely heavily on visual cues. Initially, I create a list of habits - no more than six - that I want to focus on for the week, and I make small boxes under each day of the week. If I work on a habit, I fill in the corresponding box.
However, erasing it the following week means losing track of the progress I made that week. To avoid this, I add it to my habit tracker in my planner. (You can also use an empty notebook and fill it in yourself!)
Now, I have both a weekly and a monthly view. The weekly view is more of a nudge since I can clearly see it every day, while the monthly view serves as a reminder of my progress!
What about the days you miss?
Remember, habit tracking is not about perfection, but consistency.
When you miss a day, acknowledge it, but don't beat yourself up over it. Instead, use it as a learning opportunity. Ask yourself what led to you missing the day and how you can prevent it from happening in the future. Maybe you need to adjust the time you dedicate to the habit, or perhaps you need to break it down into smaller, more manageable steps.
It helps to look at the marked days and not the empty space, no matter how little the marked days are, we all start somewhere!
Visualizing your progress can be a powerful motivator. As you see the chain of marked-off days grow, you'll be encouraged to keep going. Celebrate your successes, no matter how small they may seem. Each marked day is a step closer to your goal.
Some Daily habits to track
If you don’t know where to get started, always start with the basics. Think of some simple habits that you want to incorporate in your life but you often forget about unless there’s a physical reminder. Your Habit-tracker is your visual cue to act.
Here are some habit ideas to get you started:
Make your bed
Read 10 Pages
Stretch
Wake up before (a certain time)
Learn something new
Habit-Tracking Apps
There’s no harm in using apps to track habits, just in case you would like to do that, here are some apps/templates you can use:
Notion Template for Habit-tracking
Habitica: This app gamifies your habit-tracking experience. Inspired by RPG video games, each task you complete levels up your customized avatar, providing an extra incentive to stay motivated.
Productive: This app combines powerful features with ease of use in a beautiful interface. It makes keeping track of your habits a pleasure.
Final Thoughts
As cliche as it sounds, Habit tracking isn’t a race, it’s a marathon. As we wrap up this edition of the Cold Brew Chronicles, remember that the power to improve your life lies in the small, daily habits you cultivate. So, why not start today? Pick a habit, track it, and watch as your life transforms one day at a time.
Here's to a productive and fulfilling week!
Stay caffeinated,
Aye