Beeminder will remind you more and more urgently as you approach the deadline when skipping your habit will cost you money. https://www.beeminder.com/
Ask HN: I keep forgetting the new habits I'm trying to form
11–20 of 21 posts
Re: Ask HN: I keep forgetting the new habits I'm trying to form
#12You should read "Atomic Habits", by James Clear. Basically if you want to build new habits, you need to set realistic goals that you will actually do (and also have self-love, that if you don't get it done, you aren't a failure, every day and even every hour is a new hour you can do better) and then do those goals; then after you meet those goals and establish those habits, then you can move on and make that goal a little harder; or you can set goals in a different area.
Another element of this is that you need to establish when the habit will happen, and where. If you pick the same place every day, with time it becomes automatic.
Also important here is the aggregation of marginal gains - each little thing you improve in your life adds up over time to make a big difference. See this article from James Clear about this concept: https://jamesclear.com/marginal-gains.
Remember as well - as Atomic Habits mentions - the goal isn't just to do whatever your goal is; the goal isn't just the outcome; the goal is to change your very identity. A person who wants to read every day, the goal isn't just the reading itself, it is to BECOME a reader. For the person who wants to eat well and exercise, the goal isn't just to lose weight; it is to BECOME a fit, healthy person. As you form new habits every day, what you do on a daily basis becomes part of you, and those actions you take are the evidence of your new identity.
Re: Ask HN: I keep forgetting the new habits I'm trying to form
#13How many individual habits are you trying to form?
I have this problem when I try and form lots of habits at once. It's easy to remind yourself to meditate daily if it's the only habit you are trying to form.
Once you have two or three of these, you're moving into checklist territory... And then it's easy to have them slip.
My recommendation: pick one habit to form and work on it for several weeks. Once you notice it's actually habitual, then start working on a second one.
A few others have mentioned "Atomic Habits". It's a good book to review as well.
Re: Ask HN: I keep forgetting the new habits I'm trying to form
#14You should read "Atomic Habits", by James Clear. Basically if you want to build new habits, you need to set realistic goals that you will actually do (and also have self-love, that if you don't get it done, you aren't a failure, every day and even every hour is a new hour you can do better) and then do those goals; then after you meet those goals and establish those habits, then you can move on and make that goal a l…
It also mentions chaining your habits. Find something you do already every day, e.g. brushing your teeth, and then chain your meditation to that habit. After you brush your teeth, meditate for 10 minutes. That way as you are brushing your teeth, your mind will be primed to get ready to meditate afterwards.
Re: Ask HN: I keep forgetting the new habits I'm trying to form
#15I’d recommend Leo’s wizardry https://duckduckgo.com/?q=stick+site%3Azenhabits.net
Re: Ask HN: I keep forgetting the new habits I'm trying to form
#16You should read "Atomic Habits", by James Clear. Basically if you want to build new habits, you need to set realistic goals that you will actually do (and also have self-love, that if you don't get it done, you aren't a failure, every day and even every hour is a new hour you can do better) and then do those goals; then after you meet those goals and establish those habits, then you can move on and make that goal a l…
Beautifully and succinctly captures the book's central message. Thanks!
Re: Ask HN: I keep forgetting the new habits I'm trying to form
#17I started tracking my habits using Daylio 3 years ago and haven't looked back: https://daylio.net/. This combined with reading Atomic Habits has helped me stick to habits I'm trying to form. Basically, set the bar super low. Instead of 10 minute sessions, set it for 30 seconds. If you meditate for 30 seconds in a day, that counts as you meditating. The goal is to get into the habit of being consistent. Increase the duration (if you want) can come later.
Re: Ask HN: I keep forgetting the new habits I'm trying to form
#18I, too, experienced this challenge, specifially with meditation.
What helped me, after learning the basics of breath meditation (and reading Wherever You Go) was committing to "trigger-based" meditation.
I decided that whenever I was...
* annoyed by something, anything. experiencing annoyance.
* waiting for something.
* in a work meeting I didn't need to actively participate in.
... I would, internally, begin a breath meditation, and hold it for as long as I remembered to.
This technique by itself has been life-changing for me, and I can't recommend it enough.
It helped me train my attention-focus, and gradually but quickly improved my experience.
Re: Ask HN: I keep forgetting the new habits I'm trying to form
#19overall just understand building a particular habit is not as easy as programming a reminder on your phone, as if programming your phone will program you. since you asked about "habits" in general and not a particular habit, maybe you just want to collect "good" habits instead of genuinely wanting to pursue a particular habit? focus less on reminders/tools/gadgets and more on honestly articulating to yourself - do yo…
While trying to exercise more I found a "hack" around this. I was only able to exercise +3 weeks when I priorized it over everything else in my life. Long working hours? Sorry gotta go. Wife needs help cleaning a room? Sorry gotta go. Who should getting groceries? Nah, I have to exercise sorry. Daddy read me more! Sorry gotta go(okay but just one more)
Re: Ask HN: I keep forgetting the new habits I'm trying to form
#20You should read "Atomic Habits", by James Clear. Basically if you want to build new habits, you need to set realistic goals that you will actually do (and also have self-love, that if you don't get it done, you aren't a failure, every day and even every hour is a new hour you can do better) and then do those goals; then after you meet those goals and establish those habits, then you can move on and make that goal a l…
This. "Atomic Habits" was a game changer in forming new habits for me. Especially the point of habit stacking is something that sticked with me.
I recommend the book to everyone who is interested in forming new habits or getting rid of old "bad" habits