I have tried many many to-do and habit tracking apps, and the one I've found that I've stuck with is Strides (premium version, which if I recall is $40/year). This is for tracking my habits across many dimensions and types of habits.
For to-dos and other productivity assistance I still rely on Notes a lot for ongoing tracking; I have a Rocketbook habit for that satisfying physical act of checking a box with "paper" and ink, and I'm messing about with Notion and its various templates. I still use To-doist, but I will likely drop that one at some point this year.
Since you asked: I use an Excel sheet that I created, using colors and fonts I really like. I am tracking 10 daily habits, and filling in the colors every day is very satisfying.
I have tried a lot of apps to track my streaks but one thing always bothered me was, there are things that I do not want to do every day and there are things that for obvious reasons I could not do on a special day. Sometimes I feel it’s really unfair to loose a streak because I have travelled or I have been sick.
Finally I got attached and stayed with the App HabitBoard https://habitboard.app/ on iOS which gives me all I need to stay streaked 😀.
The negative habit tracking in the habitboard app looks interesting, especially how they incorporated "loss aversion" theory (how most people are more sensitive to losses than to equivalent gains). I may have to give that a try!
What works for me is to have several layers of accountability. I won't go into detail, but I'll highlight two steps. First, I keep a chart of activities in my journal, with a space for ticks every day of the week. At the end of the week, I check the ticks as well as my journal entries, and jot down some successes/failures for the week, plus some ambitions of the next week. I then re-create the list in a new set of boxes to tick, and start the process again.
This helps me in two ways: I see which tasks/habits I'm not finding time for or not really committed to, and it shows my progress in a more realistic quantity so I don't reactively feel bad when I skip days but instead apply some thought on course correction.
I recommend a layered and paced approach, else habit-forming becomes too goal-orientated and not enough focus on the journey/mastery element that is more crucial.
Most of this is on paper, btw. I think habit apps are a waste of time (for me) as they don't occupy a tangible space in my head and are too easy to drop after a few months. Paper holds me accountable. I see the journal sitting there. I physically page through the entries. I highly recommend paper journaling as part of a habit-management system. If you rely on just one app or one technique, I doubt it will last.
What a thoughtful, intentional, and introspective way to approach habit-building. It sounds like you've discovered the joy in the process. Have you always held that perspective or is it a skill you developed?
Thank you! No, I developed and discovered the process over several years - I'm not intuitively drawn to it. I wouldn't say I find joy in the process (though I definitely appreciate the idea of mastery). But I can tell you I get anguish if I don't follow the process!
I have tried many many to-do and habit tracking apps, and the one I've found that I've stuck with is Strides (premium version, which if I recall is $40/year). This is for tracking my habits across many dimensions and types of habits.
For to-dos and other productivity assistance I still rely on Notes a lot for ongoing tracking; I have a Rocketbook habit for that satisfying physical act of checking a box with "paper" and ink, and I'm messing about with Notion and its various templates. I still use To-doist, but I will likely drop that one at some point this year.
Oh, I'll have to check out Strides!
I love that analog ("Ink on Paper") gets a shoutout!
Same!!
Thank you for these suggestions!
Since you asked: I use an Excel sheet that I created, using colors and fonts I really like. I am tracking 10 daily habits, and filling in the colors every day is very satisfying.
Old school excel sheet! Love it!
Dear Jeremy, thank you so much for this list.
I have tried a lot of apps to track my streaks but one thing always bothered me was, there are things that I do not want to do every day and there are things that for obvious reasons I could not do on a special day. Sometimes I feel it’s really unfair to loose a streak because I have travelled or I have been sick.
Finally I got attached and stayed with the App HabitBoard https://habitboard.app/ on iOS which gives me all I need to stay streaked 😀.
Thanks for sharing your insights and experiences!
Ralf
The negative habit tracking in the habitboard app looks interesting, especially how they incorporated "loss aversion" theory (how most people are more sensitive to losses than to equivalent gains). I may have to give that a try!
Some great apps here, but my favorite habit tool is PolarHabits, so simple and sleek.
Polar Habits looks cool. I love that they are busting the all-or-nothing nonsense. Perfectionism ruins all good things.
Great post, thanks!
What works for me is to have several layers of accountability. I won't go into detail, but I'll highlight two steps. First, I keep a chart of activities in my journal, with a space for ticks every day of the week. At the end of the week, I check the ticks as well as my journal entries, and jot down some successes/failures for the week, plus some ambitions of the next week. I then re-create the list in a new set of boxes to tick, and start the process again.
This helps me in two ways: I see which tasks/habits I'm not finding time for or not really committed to, and it shows my progress in a more realistic quantity so I don't reactively feel bad when I skip days but instead apply some thought on course correction.
I recommend a layered and paced approach, else habit-forming becomes too goal-orientated and not enough focus on the journey/mastery element that is more crucial.
Most of this is on paper, btw. I think habit apps are a waste of time (for me) as they don't occupy a tangible space in my head and are too easy to drop after a few months. Paper holds me accountable. I see the journal sitting there. I physically page through the entries. I highly recommend paper journaling as part of a habit-management system. If you rely on just one app or one technique, I doubt it will last.
What a thoughtful, intentional, and introspective way to approach habit-building. It sounds like you've discovered the joy in the process. Have you always held that perspective or is it a skill you developed?
Thank you! No, I developed and discovered the process over several years - I'm not intuitively drawn to it. I wouldn't say I find joy in the process (though I definitely appreciate the idea of mastery). But I can tell you I get anguish if I don't follow the process!
Analog habit tracking feels good because it’s tangible. 😂🙋♀️