We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit. (Aristotle)

In the name of building happier, healthier, more successful lives, we all have things we feel we should be doing (or doing more of) … and things we feel we shouldn’t be doing.

But you know, we’re humans. Many of us need a little “carrot or stick” to get us moving. That is … rewards for a job well done, or accountabilities when we fall short.

This way, there’s something on the line for our actions, rather than just beating ourselves up inside. And honestly, a little external motivation can be fun, especially when we see the results are improving our lives.

I recommend using a habit tracker, (via desktop, app, or paper) where you note all the things you do and don’t want to be doing … and how often. You can then easily track when you do things, and have it all tracked. You’ll be able to see your progress over time.

Types of Habits to Build

• Heart: anything that drives personal development. Could be prayer or meditation, spending time in gratitude or gratitude journaling, reading something inspirational, etc. This can include building bonds with loved ones: making sure you read to the kids at night, or dropping one letter or email to friends / family each week who you don’t normally stay in touch with.
• Body: anything that promotes your health. Daily or at least every other day stretching and exercise is important here. Adding or removing certain things from your diet. Giving yourself enough time for sleep. Flossing. You get the idea.
• Business: the old phrase about working “in” your business and not “on” your business comes to mind. You need to do the things that don’t just keep it running, but keep it growing if that’s your goal. (Or perhaps get it running in new ways that better fit what you really want in your business.) You can track your habits for anything you need yourself committed to and find it difficult to remember or find time for.

Take Habits a Step at a Time
Trying to reinvent your life over night rarely works. And constantly failing in your goals is de-motivational. Start with a number of habits that challenges you to grow but that can reasonably be accomplished. Expand on these over time. You’ll be able to stop tracking some habits when they become automatic for you.

Accountability to Your Goals
There are plenty of apps you can use. I use https://app.habitory.com/ as a simple and free option that can be used on a desktop or phone browser.

Another free option also available on a desktop or phone browser is https://www.dailyhabits.xyz/.

Paid options with web and app options include Habitify and https://everyday.app/

I encourage you to use rewards or accountabilities to ensure your success.

• Set a reward that will motivate you for accomplishing certain goals, or perhaps all your goals, over some period of time, then work toward that.
  
  
• Have an accountability. I don’t want to call it a punishment, as you’re able to create a win/win by donating time, money, or other rewards to something you value. Could be a monthly charitable donation based on the number of missed goals, or sharing your expertise for free with someone who needs it, etc. (time given is also based on the number of misses).
  
  
• As an optional accountability, you can donate to my efforts in providing content.
  
  
• With accountabilities, base it on the number of misses you had over a certain period of time, like one month. Otherwise, if you miss a goal and owe some “flat fee” (time, money, etc.), you’ll no longer have an external motivation to keep you on target for the rest of that month. Total up the misses over a period of time, and hold yourself accountable to the total. This way, if you miss a habit one day, you’re motivated to try again starting the next day.