Ask HN: How do you create productive habits?

#1

Post by lilcarlyung » Sun, Jul 10, 2016, 5:57 PM UTC

One of the things I do to deal with procrastination, and that I've had the most success with, is to develop what I consider to be productive habits. Basically, it just means me using a daily todo with tasks that I consider to be productive. I've tried out apps such as Streaks (http://streaksapp.com/) and I'm currently using Daisy (http://daisyapp.xyz/) to aid me with this.

Although I am successful with this, I'm always on the lookout for more efficient (and perhaps more fun) ways of doing this. So I'm curious to hear what you people do to create productive habits? Any apps or other methods you suggest for habit creation?

Re: Ask HN: How do you create productive habits?

#2

Post by vonnik » Sun, Jul 10, 2016, 6:52 PM UTC

Read The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg. He has some good suggestions. One of the best ideas in there is that certain small habit changes create behavioral cascades. For people trying to lose weight, just writing down what they eat at each meal has a huge effect. When you make up in the morning, making your bed increases the likelihood that you'll do other things that require discipline. The idea is to get many small wins, because they accumulate and give you momentum to tackle harder and harder tasks. When you draw up your goals, the trick is to state the goal, imagine the obstacle that might prevent you from achieving it, and then figure out what you'll do in that scenario. That's the thinking behind the WOOP app: http://www.woopmylife.org/ which I'm not affiliated with, fwiw. Finally, in your HN profile set "noprocrast" to yes. ;)

Re: Ask HN: How do you create productive habits?

#3

Post by chris11 » Sun, Jul 10, 2016, 7:05 PM UTC

I recommoned BJ Fogg's tiny habits course: http://tinyhabits.com/. It's a really simple and easy free email course that shows one way of creating new habits.

How do you like those two apps? I'm currently trying out strides, but it seems like I only use it when I'm logging stuff. I'm kind of wondering if a paper calendar would be better to keep the logs right in front of me.

Re: Ask HN: How do you create productive habits?

#4

Post by hacknat » Sun, Jul 10, 2016, 7:21 PM UTC

By being interested in what you are working on.

Re: Ask HN: How do you create productive habits?

#5

Post by icc97 » Sun, Jul 10, 2016, 7:25 PM UTC

Ok here's an obvious list of things that should be useful. Obviously you agree (as I do) with the Leo Babuta concept of 'habits' versus 'discipline' [0]. I'd say these are just the basis - but I believe all of them will help if you can apply them consistently. But I'd also say that there's not much point in trying other techniques until you feel you've consistently tried these for a year or more (potentially I'd say up to a life time of trying).

1. Headspace (daily meditation) [1] - helps with focus

2. Wait But Why on procrastination [2]

3. 4 Ways to get motivated [3] - I like the second one about a 'pre-game routine' doing the same physical activity just before starting work. I do the yoga 'sun salutation' twice (takes about 5 minutes, helps with back problems)

4. Leo Babuta's free 'Focus' book [4]

  [0]: http://zenhabits.net/discipline/
  [1]: https://headspace.com
  [2]: http://waitbutwhy.com/2013/10/why-procrastinators-procrastinate.html
  [3]: http://plan.io/blog/post/146892730063/4-ways-to-get-motivated-when-you-dont-feel-like
  [4]: http://focusmanifesto.com/

Re: Ask HN: How do you create productive habits?

#6

Post by mtriano » Sun, Jul 10, 2016, 7:32 PM UTC

Personally, I'm a big fan of "Baby Steps" by Dr. Leo Marvin. It means setting small, reasonable goals for yourself, one day at a time, one tiny step at a time. Just set up long range plans and when executing, focus on the immediate step you are facing. Baby steps.

Re: Ask HN: How do you create productive habits?

#7

Post by sdenton4 » Sun, Jul 10, 2016, 7:37 PM UTC

I keep this on my desk, in a spot where my eyes land whenever my head starts to wander: https://bwitzenhausen.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/butler-wal...

"First forget inspiration. Habit is more dependable. Habit will sustain you whether you're inspired or not. Habit will help you finish and polish your stories. Inspiration won't. Habit is persistence in practice."

Re: Ask HN: How do you create productive habits?

#8

Post by tunesmith » Sun, Jul 10, 2016, 7:38 PM UTC

I find it useful (essential, really) to understand how my todo tasks relate to my longterm goals. If I can't draw a line from my task to my goals, then it's less motivating.

Re: Ask HN: How do you create productive habits?

#9

Post by cylinder » Sun, Jul 10, 2016, 7:49 PM UTC

Can I hijack and ask, how do I become a "determined" person with grit? Is it learnable? If something becomes too hard, I just convince myself the success is not worth it or not attainable.

I might actually be right. Success might not be worth it. It seems winners are usually more motivated by hatred and fear of losing / failure than the joy of winning. You see this with sports stars all the time (MJ).

Re: Ask HN: How do you create productive habits?

#10

Post by bemmu » Sun, Jul 10, 2016, 7:57 PM UTC

After years of trying to learn Japanese through osmosis by living here, this year I managed to get myself to seriously study again despite not going to school anymore.

It's a combination of a study app called Nihongo and a reminder/streak app called Commit. Now after studying about 30 mins daily for 6 months I've started to really enjoy my study sessions, and the joy of seeing the characters I've learned in my daily life. Now when the Commit reminder comes up I've usually already started my study.