03 Nov Habit Tracking with Artful Plus: Our Top 10 Tips from Habit Experts
We all have habits we’d love to build—or break—but let’s be real, sometimes it feels like they just don’t stick. That’s where habit tracking comes in. It’s a simple but powerful way to turn your goals into daily practices that eventually become second nature. With Artful Plus, habit tracking doesn’t just become easier; it becomes a fun and motivating part of your day. Let’s dive into some practical tips from habit experts on how to make the most of Artful Plus to build the habits you want.
1. Start Small and Be Specific
Ever heard the saying, “Don’t bite off more than you can chew?” It’s great advice when it comes to forming new habits. Start with something small and manageable. For instance, instead of committing to a rigorous workout routine from day one, begin with a 10-minute walk.
James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, advises, “Start small, but start now. Even improving just 1% a day can lead to being thirty-seven times better over the course of a year.” By using Artful Plus, you can set clear, specific goals and start small. Over time, you’ll see how those little steps add up.
2. Use Visual Cues to Remind Yourself
Out of sight, out of mind, right? Visual cues are a great way to keep your habits front and center. Your monthly Artful Plus habit tracker automatically transfers your habits to your day view to visually remind yourself of your goals for the day.
B.J. Fogg, author of Tiny Habits, suggests that “designing your environment” is key to habit success. Utilizing your daily habit tracker box and incorporating colorful stickers in Artful Plus is like leaving little visual nudges for your future self.
3. Track Progress Daily
There’s something incredibly satisfying about checking off a task on your to-do list, and habit tracking works the same way. Logging your progress daily keeps you motivated and accountable.
As Charles Duhigg, author of The Power of Habit, says, “Small wins have enormous power, and they are the foundation of habits.” Each time you mark off a habit in Artful Plus, it gives your brain a mini dopamine boost, motivating you to keep going. Record those small wins each day, and you’ll feel your momentum build.
4. Set Realistic Goals
Let’s be honest, setting the bar too high is a recipe for burnout. The best goals are challenging but achievable. When you set realistic goals, you’re setting yourself up for success.
Artful Plus makes it easy to break down those big, daunting goals into smaller, more manageable tasks. Gretchen Rubin, author of Better Than Before, says, “We manage what we monitor.” By setting smaller, realistic targets, you’ll avoid burnout and stay motivated.
5. Incorporate Habits into Your Existing Routine
Adding a new habit is so much easier when it fits into something you already do. For example, if you want to meditate daily, try doing it while brewing your morning coffee. This is known as “habit stacking,” where you piggyback a new habit onto an existing one.
James Clear explains, “Habit stacking is like anchoring a new habit to one you already have. By building on a strong foundation, your new habits can become automatic.” Artful Plus makes it simple to schedule new habits alongside your current routines, helping you seamlessly incorporate them into your day.
6. Use Positive Reinforcement
Who doesn’t love a little reward? Positive reinforcement can work wonders for building habits. Maybe it’s treating yourself to a relaxing bath after completing a week of workouts or enjoying your favorite snack after hitting your reading goal.
Artful Plus allows you to track these rewards, making the process even more enjoyable. Gretchen Rubin says, “Rewards help make habits more enjoyable.” So, keep a list of those rewards in your Artful Plus planner and watch how much more fun sticking to your goals becomes!
7. Stay Accountable with Reminders and Notifications
We all need a little nudge now and then. Reminders and notifications are like having a personal cheerleader in your pocket, keeping you accountable.
James Clear notes that accountability is a “powerful motivator.” With reminders in Artful Plus, you’ll stay on top of your goals, whether you need a gentle buzz to start your habit or an end-of-day pop-up to review your progress. These tools ensure you’re always moving forward.
8. Reflect on Your Progress Regularly
Taking a moment to reflect on your progress isn’t just about looking back; it’s about planning forward too. Regular reflection helps you see what’s working and what might need tweaking.
As Carl Jung famously said, “Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.” Artful Plus notes feature is perfect for jotting down reflections, making it easy to see patterns and make adjustments. Reflection is the key to turning your habits into lasting change.
9. Adapt and Adjust as Needed
Life happens, and that’s okay. Sometimes your habits need to shift to fit your changing circumstances. Don’t be afraid to adapt.
As James Clear puts it in Atomic Habits, “You don’t rise to the level of your goals, you fall to the level of your systems.” Artful Plus helps you adjust your systems as needed—whether it’s tweaking your workout time or modifying your reading goals—so you can keep moving forward even when life throws you a curveball.
10. Celebrate Your Successes
Finally, don’t forget to celebrate your wins, big or small. Join a group of like-minded people, whether online or in real life, to cheer each other on. Whether it’s a week of successful habit tracking or reaching a milestone, acknowledging your progress is crucial.
Artful Plus makes it easy to set up reminders to celebrate your achievements. As Oprah Winfrey says, “The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.” With Artful Plus, you can schedule those celebrations and enjoy each success along the way.
Artful Plus and the Integrated Habit Tracker
Creating new habits doesn’t have to be overwhelming—especially with the right tools at your side. Artful Plus helps you stay on track in a way that feels motivating and fun, making it easier than ever to build lasting habits you love!
Ready to make habit tracking a part of your daily life? Upgrade your Artful Agenda to Artful Plus today and see how it can help you build habits that stick!
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