I was not interested in developing habits, even though I read many things about them. I also thought habits could be built naturally or were bad (e.g., smoking). After reading countless articles and books, however, I realized that consistency and habits are the keys to building a foundation for a better self.
I guess we all know that the key to success is not just to work harder but smarter. Anyone can achieve something great, but only if you move your lazy ass. We all have passions and ideas, but the key to success is to improve daily and be a better self every day.
However, what does it mean? It is pretty frustrating if you don’t get immediate success. I get it. We all want success now!
It sounds cliche, but you can only be successful if you remain persistent and follow your passion.
In his book "Atomic Habits"1, James Clear emphasizes that significant achievements start with small beginnings. While goals provide a sense of direction, they represent the desired outcomes. On the other hand, systems consist of processes that track progress, which you should concentrate on. The foundation is established by focusing on the processes, and progress naturally follows.
Every tiny effort brings you further rather than staying still.
What is a Habit?
Habits are the compound interest of self-improvement. Just as consistent savings, no matter how small, accumulate enormous wealth over time through compound growth, atomic habits produce remarkable results by compounding tiny gains. Every action we take is like a deposit in the bank of our mind, shaping our identity — Addy Osmani2
A habit is a behavior repeated enough times to become automatic. It is a mental shortcut learned from experience and is initiated by a cue, a craving, a response, and a reward. Habits can be formed through trial and error, and they can be influenced by the environment and the anticipation of rewards. Habits can be both positive and negative and can significantly impact our lives and our ability to achieve desired outcomes.
Getting 1% better every day counts for a lot in the long-run. Recently, Matt Grey tweeted this:
Picture your future self
There could be numerous motivations driving your desire to learn. For instance, perhaps you want to learn a new language. I firmly believe in the power of practice over theory. Start by using Duolingo and strive to maintain a consistent learning streak. It's an enjoyable way to establish a habit. Even if progress seems minimal, the key is to consistently engage in learning and, hopefully, enjoy the process. Once you feel more self-assured, consider taking your language journey to the next level by enrolling in classes or conversing with others.
Perhaps you want to cultivate a reading habit. Start by reading one section daily and gradually increase to two sections. Reading is an excellent way to enhance your knowledge, give you ideas, and broaden your horizons.
Have you ever felt powerless after work or sat almost the whole day? That could be because your body doesn’t move that much. However, studies have shown that 10,000 steps a day can massively improve your health3 and mood4.
10,000 steps a day may seem like a lot initially, but 4000-5000 steps are already a good start to boost your health5. You can start by taking the stairs instead of the elevator to the 2nd floor or walk during your lunch break.
Whatever you want to improve, you need time to do that.
How did I develop my Habits?
I have a lot on my mind. I want to develop an app, try out a new web framework, learn a new language, and blog. But I often start but always procrastinate and then forget. What helped me was using tools and sticking to them. Without the right mindset and tools, I would not be able to develop a habit.
I have found that integrating Habit Tracker with Todoist has been incredibly helpful. This feature allows me to set tasks and track my progress. In Todoist, you can create recurring tasks so they appear daily. Additionally, I use Todoist to manage all my other todos.
I add my daily habits to the Habit Tracker, which appears daily on your to-do list. I also put my writing habits, “Establish Fullstack Traveler on Substack” and “Technical Blog post,” as recurring tasks for each week (even though I don’t do them weekly) as a reminder.
Surprisingly, this works very well, as I get reminded every morning what to do. My favorite habit is “Read a section of a book,” as I am forced to read great books.
The downside is that whenever I miss finishing a task, the comments get lost, and I don’t know what my longest streak is.
So, I started saving the streak also to Notion. Of course, this is fully automated by using a Zapier-like tool, n8n.
The idea is to do analytics and review it by the end of the year.
I believe that developing a writing habit with the right tools, such as Grammarly, wouldn't have been possible, as I would have become frustrated with grammar or sentence structure. I use their Grammarly Premium version, which helps me be more productive with its AI capabilities. It's fun to see what it suggests and how I could rephrase my sentences. Of course, you should read it and adjust it to your writing style. But still, it helps a lot.
Many apps can make habits fun, such as Habitica or Habits Garden.
Habits are my Energizer
Developing positive habits is a crucial part of my daily routine as they serve as a powerful source of energy and enhance my productivity. Push-ups in the morning not only jumpstart my physical energy but also energize my mind, preparing me for the day ahead.
Furthermore, I have found that dedicating time to meditation allows me to quiet my racing thoughts and cultivate a sense of mindfulness in the morning. Although I still encounter challenges in maintaining a focused meditative state due to the persistent chatter in my mind, I continue to work on this practice with determination and patience.
Lastly, how satisfying is crossing off a todo from your list?🤩
Conclusion
Make your habit a daily to-do!
Try to make it fun. Gamify your habits with an app like Habitica or Habits Garden. For example, when learning a new language, use apps like Duolingo, which is a fun way to learn languages. But consider also other apps like Babbel that can also help improve your language skills. Any apps that manage your learning streak help.
If you're looking to lead a healthier lifestyle but need to track your behavior first, you might want to consider using MacroFactor or Bright (upcoming).
Or use Benji, a universal app for to-dos, macros, and habits. Whatever suits you, embrace tools!
I suggest trying to stick to your own habits and keep the streak. In the beginning, it may be hard, but trust me, it is worth it.
So get started, and remember that atomic habits are part of a larger system, just as atoms are the building blocks of molecules. Be patient!
"We say we waste time, but that is impossible. We waste ourselves."
-Alice Boch.
What are your habits, and how do you manage them? Feel free to comment.
https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10643563/
https://findingjulianne.com/10000-steps-everyday-for-21-days-makethehabit/
https://www.bbc.com/news/health-66440424