How To Track Habits

Tracking your habits is one of the secrets to successful self-improvement. Habit tracking keeps you consistent in your routine, leading you to your goals. The only question is how exactly you should track your routine so your self-transformation efforts do not go to waste.

The short and simple answer is to use a habit tracker. These tools help you keep track of your habits and remind you to continue doing them. They can also be your motivational guides and accountability partners to help you focus on your goals. 

Some of the best ways to track your habits are:

• Habit tracker app
• Excel and Google Sheets spreadsheet
• Printable tracker template
• Bullet journal or notebook

With so many types of trackers available, it’s important to pick the right one for you. Having the right tracker can be life-changing, and you can build long-term routines that stick.

How to track your habits

The best way to track habits varies from person to person. What works for your friends and family might not work for you. Your ideal tracking method depends on your personality, source of motivation, and the type of activities you want to log.

Personality

Your personality can determine what kind of tracking system will work for you. Meticulous and highly motivated individuals may like planners with in-depth insights, while minimalists prefer a simpler layout. Some may also value flexibility, convenience, or a planner they can decorate.

What motivates you or gives you satisfaction?

Your routine planner should also give you the drive to stay on course. You’ll like a tracker that shows your streaks if you gain motivation from progress measurements. Planners with reward systems are great if you enjoy working towards a reward you’ve set. A planner that shows progress loopholes is also helpful if you want it to hold you responsible for slacking off.

What habit do you want to track?

Think of what you want to track before you choose your tracker. We suggest having a daily planner for daily activities such as tracking eating habits. However, a monthly or weekly habit tracker is better for more occasional acts such as tracking spending habits.

Using a habit tracker app

A tracker app lets you track and monitor your progress through a concise data overview. The app usually prepares the tracking template, so all you have to do is log your routine. You can use it on your smartphone, but apps like Notion also work on tablets, laptops, and computers. 

These apps are great for logging your activities anytime and anywhere. They also provide notifications to remind you to stay on course. However, they lack flexibility and offer no room for personalisation. A few apps like Notion let you organise your template, but most have a fixed template. And they aren’t ideal for you if you’re trying to spend less time on your phone. 

This system is best for someone who wants a daily habit tracker that reminds them to focus on their goals. It is suitable to track eating habits or other day-to-day activities. The tracker is also ideal for beginners who are still learning how to track habits. 

Excel or Google Sheets habit tracker templates

Excel or Google Sheets tracker template is a spreadsheet tracker where you can systematically monitor your routine. It is a tool that merges a mobile tracker app and your traditional notebook planner into one. You can log your habits like you would using a notebook, but it also has automation, like an app.

But what sets it apart from the other two methods is that it offers more data on your progress. You’ll be able to review your performance more thoroughly and find ways to improve it. Hence, this system is very helpful for your self-improvement.

We like this system because it is more flexible and convenient to use. It lets you review different aspects of your performance and improve your routine with its detailed analytics. The planner also allows long-term use so that you can use it as a daily, weekly, and monthly habit tracker. 

The only downside is that you won’t get notifications to remind you to track your habits.

Moreover, this method suits everyone, from data enthusiasts to minimalists. It is perfect for those who seek constant motivation but also suits those who want to take it easy. We also highly suggest it if you want to monitor long-term goals, such as to track spending habits.

Printable habit tracker templates

A printable routine tracker template is a physical planner that you can print out to track your activities. Most printables also have weekly or monthly layouts. So, you can make daily entries with it and get an overview of the week or month.

The main perk of using a printable tracker is its customizability. It allows you to add other elements to the template, such as underlines, highlights, and stickers for personalisation. Besides, it can be a visual reminder when placed within your workspace. However, it doesn’t offer in-depth data, and you cannot flawlessly edit your entries without reprinting the template.

Printable planners are ideal for those who want to set short-term goals. Someone who needs a physical reminder to stay on track may also use them. They are also great if you want a physical weekly habit tracker without making it from scratch. Lastly, they can be useful for someone seeking to track habits without heavily relying on digital devices.

Bullet Journal or notebook

A bullet journal is another physical tracking method where you log your tasks in a notebook. Many use it to keep track of habits since it lets users design their templates according to their needs. All you need is a pen and a notebook, and you’re ready to go.

The best part about using a bujo is that you can design the template and edit it whenever you want. But it takes a lot of time to set up and doesn’t have data analysis to help you improve. It also requires self-discipline to remain consistent, which makes it ineffective if you rely on external motivation and reminders.

Bujo trackers are ideal for those who enjoy making their own tracking templates. They will also appeal to those who like a hands-on approach to routine logging or want full control over their planner. Plus, you can use bullet journals to track short-term goals since it has limited tracking space.

The best way to track habits

We believe the best way to track habits is by using a spreadsheet tracker. This is because it meets all kinds of tracking needs and gives valuable data for improvement. You can also use it to monitor any goal, be it short-term or long-term.

With that in mind, a good habit tracking system should have several important features: 

Data Analysis

The most important feature a spreadsheet tracker should offer is thorough visual data of your progress. With it, you’ll be able to review your performance and determine the effectiveness of your routine.

Reflection Space

There should also be a space for you to reflect on your habits. This will help you better understand your behaviour and make the right adjustments to improve your routine. Additional features, like a rewards system, are great for motivating further and improving discipline.

Accessibility

You’d want a tracker that you can use with any device. So, you can stay on top of your goals at all times, and anywhere you are. A tracker with easy navigation also promotes consistency.

Thankfully, our ultimate routine tracker has all of these features. We recommend checking it out if you want to try tracking with a spreadsheet. Even if you’re still figuring out how to track habits effectively, you’ll never regret trying our tracker.