5 Habit Tracking Apps for Improved Productivity

Trying to change or adopt a new habit? Tracking your progress is crucial for success. In this article, we explore five different habit tracking apps, each based on a unique productivity principle. Whether you believe in the 10,000-hour rule or prefer habit stacking, there’s an app tailored to your approach. Let’s dive in and find the perfect fit for you.

1. Goated (Android, iOS): Master Any Skill with 10,000 Hours

Goated is an app inspired by Malcolm Gladwell’s “10,000-hour rule,” which suggests that mastery of any skill requires 10,000 hours of practice. This app allows you to track the hours you spend practicing a specific skill and monitor your progress towards the 10,000-hour milestone. Here’s how it works:

• Track Your Practice: Start a timer in the app whenever you begin practicing a skill. This ensures accurate tracking of the time spent honing your expertise.
• Detailed Insights: Goated provides insightful statistics on your current proficiency level, your longest streak, and estimates when you’ll reach 10,000 hours based on your daily practice time.
• Journal Entries: In the paid version, you can also maintain journal entries to record your thoughts and progress.

Goated is ideal if you believe in the 10,000-hour rule as a path to mastery. However, keep in mind that this rule is a topic of debate among experts.

2. Progr (Web): Don’t Break the Chain with Customizable Tracking

Progr follows Jerry Seinfeld’s “Don’t Break the Chain” technique, a popular productivity strategy. It enables you to create customizable habit streaks on a grid and offers versatile tracking options:

• Customizable Tracking: You can create and personalize your habit streaks on a grid. It’s among the more flexible chain trackers available.
• Multiple Tracking Styles: Log your entries using text, numbers, or emojis, allowing for a diverse and engaging tracking experience.

Progr motivates you to maintain your streaks and achieve your goals without breaking the chain.

3. Respawn (Android): Build Rituals with Habit Stacking

Respawn is an Android app that focuses on habit stacking, a principle that involves grouping tasks and behaviors for increased efficiency. Here’s how Respawn can help:

• Ritual Creation: Respawn allows you to create “Rituals” with multiple habits. You can select habits from a library categorized by time and type, such as health, productivity, and learning.
• Distraction-Free Mode: Respawn offers a full-screen mode for checking off each activity in a distraction-free environment.
• Reminders and Point Tracking: Set reminders for your habits and earn points for completing them. The app keeps track of your overall progress and provides insights into your habits.

While Respawn currently caters to Android users, the team plans to develop an iOS version in the future.

4. LvlUp (Android, iOS): Reflect on Atomic Habits

LvlUp is inspired by James Clear’s concept of atomic habits, emphasizing small changes for significant results. Here’s what LvlUp offers:

• Habit Tracking: You can track up to three habits at a time, setting how frequently you want to track each habit with optional reminders.
• Reflect and Journal: LvlUp includes a journal section where you can reflect on your day, mood, and activities. It encourages self-reflection to foster habit formation.
• Habit Academy: LvlUp offers guided lessons based on habit formation principles, enhancing your understanding of building and sustaining habits.

5. Buddy Crush (Web): Stay Accountable with Social Support

Buddy Crush leverages social accountability to help you stay on track with your habits. Here’s how it works:

• Join or Create Groups: You can join existing groups or create your own with individuals who share similar habit goals.
• Leaderboards: Groups have leaderboards tracking member activity over the last 30 days, providing motivation and a sense of community.
• Engage in Discussions: Buddy Crush offers an active Slack community with separate channels for public groups, facilitating discussions and support among members.

Conclusion

Habit formation is a gradual process, and choosing the right app depends on your preferred productivity principle. Whether you follow the 10,000-hour rule, embrace habit stacking, or prefer atomic habits, these apps offer diverse approaches to help you achieve your goals. Remember that persistence and forgiveness are essential on your journey to lasting change. Start tracking your habits today and witness your progress unfold.