We heard it, read about it, and experienced it a million times. By now, we know that New Year’s resolutions are hard to keep. The numbers speak for themselves – a staggering 92% of people who set resolutions for the New Year fail to commit to them. I’m definitely one of those people. I have had “read more” on my resolution list for years, right next to the pile of books collecting dust on my bookshelves.
This year, I decided to take matters seriously since years are passing, I’m getting older, and I’m not getting closer to the version of myself I aim to be. I did some research to find out what I can do to increase my chances of sticking to these resolutions. What is stopping me is probably the same thing that’s stopping everyone else: lack of time, energy and motivation. This time, I am entering 2019 with tools to battle bad habits, procrastination and laziness. Adderall, Redbull and 5-hour Energy shots have crossed my mind, but I’m a health nut and prefer to do things “au natural.”
It turns out that you can’t achieve results without changing your habits. Our daily habits govern our lives and the results. Most habits we have are so ingrained in our subconscious that we don’t even notice we are doing them. So, the first step is to be conscious of your behavior to notice these actions and then take your life back by altering them. It’s easier said than done, otherwise there wouldn’t be such a low success rate for changing habits. Luckily, you don’t have to do this on your own. There are many habit-tracking apps available, specially designed to help you set goals, kick bad habits, and replace them with better ones.
Top 5 Habit Trackers:
- Momentum Habit Tracker (iOS only)
This app has great features that help you keep track of your habits and daily routine. You can start by setting small, weekly targets and add notes while monitoring your progress.
- StickK (iOS & Android)
StickK was developed by behavioral economists at Yale University. It helps you end procrastination by leveraging the power of incentives. One great feature in this app is that when you first sign up, you create a commitment contract with yourself and even bet money on your success.
- Productive Habit Tracker (iOS only)
Productive’s simple, but effective, interface allows you to start planning in seconds. This free tool helps you build a routine of life-changing habits and keep track of your successes. It is also the most downloaded habit tracking and goals setting app.
- Streaks (iOS only)
This Apple design award winner allows you to create to-do lists and helps you create good habits. The goal in this app is to build a 12-day consecutive streak. The interface is customizable and can be easily integrated with the Apple Health app, one of the most popular apps on the iOS.
- Evernote (Web, Android, iOS, Windows, Mac)
Evernote is not exactly a habit tracker, but it certainly helps you develop a productivity system. You can create to-do lists and save items in an organized way so they can be accessed easier, saving you time and making you more productive.
Even though, statistically, the numbers are stacked against you, don’t allow yourself to be so discouraged that you avoid setting goals altogether for the new year because studies have also shown that people who participate in this age-old tradition are 10 times more likely to change their behavior than those who don’t. So, if you don’t participate at all, your chances of success go from 8% to zero! Although, with these great habit tracker apps, you should see an increase in your chances of succeeding.
