A Better Way to Track Your Habits

Today, I'll share a new, paper-based system for tracking your habits that solves several habit-tracking problems.
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[@Thomasfrank]

Hope you find this one useful! Btw - want a PDF template so you don't have to draw the boxes? Here you go! collegeinfogeek.com/paper-habit-tracker/ Want to learn how to build strong habits that actually stick? Take my FREE habit-building course: collegeinfogeek.com/go/habit-course/ (this is an affiliate link, so using it also supports my channel 😀 ) Lastly, if you like, you can follow Martin here: instagram.com/yomartholomew

[@sai-bi2rh]

Eagerly waiting for the Notion video, sir! Would be great for the school going and college peeps! Thank you for the template.

[@wmwmwmwmwmwmwn123]

Is the two month trial still available

[@zaneturner6495]

instablaster...

[@jamboy32192]

Thomas: "..I actually mean my friend Martin who came up with this system..." Me: Hahaha he's going to call it the martin Method Thomas: "... so I'm just going to call it the Martin System." Me: *soul crushes at the missed opportunity for alliteration*

[@jamboy32192]

Thomas, can we get a community tab announcment renaming it to the Martin Method??

[@ekinteko]

Not sure how you paid attention. All I can think of, does he wear contact lenses? See at 0:50 time-frame. His right-eye has a Blue tone, and his left-eye has a Green tone.

[@jamboy32192]

@@ekinteko I can't now 😂😂

[@corsoncheung4636]

Jeez I scrolled down while watching and read your reply in perfect sync with his words like a subtitle

[@BryceDoesLife]

@@jamboy32192 I support this wholeheartedly

[@elijahizere]

Even more advantages to the paper journal system: • Reduces phone use • Is not distracting • Is a meditative procedure • Gain respect for the paper system (while phones are there to be dopamine suckers, the BuJo is there to help you)

[@fatimaezzahra4460]

Elijah Thanks

[@SunSunSunn]

iPad med school life, I forget what it feels like to write on paper except during exams lol

[@elijahizere]

@@SunSunSunn haha indeed, then you get to the exam and your hand aches painfully within 30 minutes I've learned to write with my arm rather than my fingers recently, it's very difficult and precise but saves you from all of the pain

[@erick-gmz]

_Da BuJo_

[@harmonygibbs7904]

+

[@zoegardiner9614]

Reason for failure: "Ninjas attacked my house" Ways to improve: "Need to ninja-proof the house"

[@lade18]

😂😂😂

[@lade18]

Funny joke

[@thegargantuatimes5192]

No one realised that this is not a joke by you but rather from the video itself

[@zoegardiner9614]

@@thegargantuatimes5192 SSSSHHHHH (Illusion Level 100)

[@iStorm-my5fp]

Yes, learn kung foo and fun sheui your house

[@ludovicpaulself-helpmore3518]

I'm really glad that you addressed the issue of "one failure breaks the streak" because this is definitely a major demotivating factor for most people who made New Year's resolutions. Thanks!

[@Riaanwest]

Yass!!! thanks for mentioning this one failure breaks the streak, i love it too

[@NicholasMarkovich]

Failure notes: 3: Couldn't be bothered 4: Couldn't be bothered 5: Couldn't be bothered At least I got some handwriting practice in. Yay for new habit of 2020!

[@10minsfree]

You deserve more likes....sorry.

[@arthuretrusco4071]

Just received the weekly newsletter and came check this out. I can tell you put a lot of work into the video making process...and it was totally worth it, it looks sooo cool! Congrats, man!

[@nikitacometa]

Man, this is just amazing! For the last 2 months, I've been thinking about a system like this -- really simple (so on paper at least) and very productive, but couldn't come up with an idea. And now you just give it to me. Great job :) I already drew a page for the first 2-week sprint in my journal, finishing the first day ;)

[@SariniyaKiyu]

Thank you!! I always feel discouraged with apps! Life gets in my way on daily basis and I very often cant continue my streak because of unrelated events. At first I used to simply keep a diary where I would write what Ive done or havent, but it fell flat as well. Im glad youve presented this method. Thank you and Martin!!

[@sienjong2762]

This is absolutely amazing for me, i never had a solution to my failing points. Now i can track everything and find a solution thank you, Thomas Frank 😄

[@jamesbenedict7516]

Watching LotR and misread the tittle. "a better way to track your hobbits" Gandalf and Aragorn would be happy with this if it were true

[@house30house]

haha

[@zachzambuto7994]

Filthy Hobbits

[@samanthas748]

Haha love it! Reading the first book, barely in chapter 4.

[@rawmasky7156]

I've been using this system for two days, and it's working! I never track my progress, now I will. Thanks

[@mustafam]

“You are what you do repeatedly every day. If excellence is something you’re striving for, then it’s not an accident. It’s a habit.” - Greg Plitt

[@pm5022]

R.I.P. Greg Plitt 🙏🏻

[@h.a.2107]

I honestly think Martin brings a lot of value to college info geek and he makes a pretty good team with Thomas. I have been listening to the podcast for almost three years now and I want to say thanks to both of you for all of the great content.

[@peachiipagan5286]

I think we take these videos for granted. His videos are made up of genuinely beautiful videography and cinematic shots and there is so much passion put into everything as small as lighting as the symmetry of his setup it’s not by accident it’s a purposeful planned thing. Thank you @thomasfrank

[@theellenpham]

Krysta Eutsler That’s such a good point! You can tell he puts a lot of effort into his videos.

[@LisaMichelle98]

I just started a bullet journal. I had been using Habitica for some time but I really missed the self-reflection part and failed to keep going after being sick. I will try this method from now on. It feels nice that I can track if there's things outside of my power that happen, but you won't lose the sense of tracking.

[@alignwithandrea2661]

This is such a great system because 2 weeks feels a lot less intimidating/overwhelming than a month can sometimes feel, especially if it's a BIG habit you're trying to break or implement! That's why I recommend that clients break long-term goals down into weekly goals - it seems more manageable to try quit coffee for a week, not a whole month...baby steps add up 💪😁

[@karenrich9092]

I very much appreciate your videos. On this subject (habit tracking), I find it's easier for me to put all my important items first in the day. For instance, my prayers and my exercise time comes first. That way if I get busy later in the day, I know I've already kept my personal commitments. Keep up the GREAT work.

[@reallollabunny]

I really wanted to implement that and had actually decided to "Martin" my habits this year - meaning the things I focus on will change every 2 weeks. So a video on how he does that exactly is incredibly helpful! More Martin please! ^_^

[@lulugal31]

I’ve been interested in Skillshare for a while, now that I’m on summer break and transferring to a university from cc, but watching this video made it really easy and I just signed up. I’m so excited

[@danagonzales7982]

I love this system! I started doing something similar when I originally heard Martin talk about it in the pod last summer. I really like the “neutral” marker, unforeseen events have always made me feel like a failure in the past.

[@thymewizard]

Really cool system! I'm using it myself now! I do have one idea that I've added to mine that I thought others might find useful: A fourth symbol (I'm using a '/') for a "lateral" or an in-place replacement. This is for unexpected/unplanned things that are not specifically what you wrote for your habit, but serve its purpose anyway. For example, if you wrote habit to lift every M/W/F and one random Friday your friend invites you to a climbing gym because they got a free guest pass and you do that instead of lifting. Certainly depending on your specific fitness goals this might not work as a replacement, but this is just one example. You could definitely just mark that a success, but I think the lateral idea adds some useful fidelity to the record without compromising its simplicity too much, and if you note all laterals on the left page you can keep yourself honest about what really constitutes a replacement. I think this could backfire over time if you find that, continuing the previous example, you deliberately replace lifting with climbing several days a week because you think it's more fun, but that could also be an indicator that maybe you should add climbing to your specific objective in the next cycle. I consider this a more sparing tool than that though, for instances when something unexpected comes up that you didn't plan for, but serves the purpose. You do have to make sure you stay honest here, but that's also true of the neutral marker and I think the left page is a great way to enforce that honesty. Let me know what you guys think of this tweak!

[@k3boolboombam515]

I will try the martin system and your idea probably will give me a boost, but i think that you have also to consider an additional rule: make a maximum percentage of novelty in you cycle, like you can replace only 20% of the habits every cycle or you can replace only one kind of habits in your cycle, the idea of the martin system is to force you to complete trying every habit before making the choice whether you want to expand the habit or delete it, + personally a one week cycle is a lot better than two weeks

[@H.K.Firebelly]

Hey Thomas - just wanted you to know that I have been using this system ever since I watched your video about a year ago and have found it super easy and useful in a way that goal-setting systems in the past haven't worked for me. I keep my journal on my bedside table so I remember to fill in the boxes every night (takes about 30 seconds) and fill out a new two-week set of goals every other Sunday. Reflecting + writing in a new two-week set of goals takes about 1/2 hour depending on how much time I want to take to reflect. But really I find myself reflecting and seeing the patterns throughout the two weeks so reflecting and setting new goals can take as little as 10 minutes. Bottom line: this has been a game changer for me.

[@Das0000]

Thankful for seeing your comment. I am actually on my way to try this method. I have looked at many habit tracking apps but this pen and paper method looks less time consuming and more simple, also I can do it after I reflect on my past week (also the time for my weekly schedule) so it is even better. I will be doing something like you. Can you share how this method is going so far? Thank you in advance.

[@arvidpetryk5345]

This video alone has changed my life in a huge way! Watched it maybe one year ago. I've changed the "period" to two full weeks instead of 1-15 /16-etc. And I use the second page for "period goals" instead of notes. But the core of the method is still there, and it is really working. Thank you!

[@a.m.641]

Hey, I'd like to start applying this system too, but what you mentioned it's interesting. Could you please elaborate more on the changes you made to the method?

[@FueledByKass]

This was honestly really helpful for the simple reason that this does NOT require an app. I'm awful at keeping track of things on a computer and I've personally always worked better using the old fashioned pen and paper (and I'm not even old myself!). Love this method and will try it out for the new semester!

[@vickytaa1]

I feel like Thomas videos are becoming more relaxed, and we see more of his sense of humour. I like the change!

[@Sam-ul1zr]

I have been using this method for 2 years, and it helped me be productive and track my habits in unstressful way. thank you for sharing it with us

[@jennergayle1080]

Perfect! Just started Bullet Journaling and most of formats people make was too overwhelm(too many artsy things) This is simple and straight to the point! Thanks my man!

[@seaofserenity95]

I have been struggling to find a habit tracker that would suit me for ages now, but this seems seriously cool and adaptable to my needs and I will be giving it a whirl. Thank you, Thomas and thanks to your buddy too!

[@rajeetss]

Thomas this is just what I needed. You've saved me. Thank you man

[@asmaaaitbenabderrahman5262]

This is amazing!!! 😍 thank you and your friend so much for this!!!!

[@MeghanaMaddala]

Thank you so much for this idea Thomas and Martin! No habit tracking app hasn't worked for me because I always felt overwhelmed. This sounds like it'll work!

[@fridems5341]

Thank you Thomas & Martin, I love this. Came back to refresh the system. Simple and motivating. Also the layout of this video here is so good. Rock on :)

[@giinnnaaaak]

Oh. I was creating a bullet journal and wanted to do something along these lines. This format is a drop cloth of great.

[@fountainpen23]

The Martin System is a great idea! And very timely for me! I've been failing over and over again with the usual habit trackers and it's really frustrating. Watching this video and learning something new is motivating! Thanks a lot!

[@olajubuadebowale8948]

I really find this video useful and thanks for sharing your template.

[@HeatherCutright]

Wow! This system actually seems super effective! I watch a lot of self improvement/productivity videos and, honestly, I rarely implement what was talked about in the video in my own life. But this is one that I am definitely going to try! It is really simple, and it addresses all of the issues with other methods of habit tracking that can make you less successful: the overwhelming feeling when you realize you have to do it forever, the guilt and demotivation of losing a streak and starting back at zero, inflexibility... My favorite thing is having an option to mark a failure as "out of my control". Sometimes you might be incredibly sick or have a family emergency, or just truly not have enough time. The way I tracked habits in the past was so black and white that I would feel guilty and beat myself up over missing a day, even when I had a legitimate reason that wasn't just laziness or an excuse. I am getting out my bullet journal and doing this right now! Thank you for this video, Thomas! And thank you Martin for designing this habit tracking system :)

[@vsalbuq]

I like the bullet journal habit tracking method because it is simple, but I'll use from now on your symbol to show it was impossible to do the habit on that day. This is an important input for future reviewing.

[@gh19911]

The Martin System is definitely something I want to try out. Thank you, Thomas and Martin.

[@kirantiwari779]

Thank you for the useful idea.. I’m trying to implement this!!!

[@SomosEstoicos]

Your video(image) quality has been increasing considerably; and you said that you're learning to. You're incredible.

[@KiiiiiRaaaa]

LOVE that you called it the Martin system hahah! Thanks for making a whole video on it! Loved the idea when Martin talked about it on the podcast, but haven't gotten around to trying it out myself. I will now!

[@minayakarimova]

Huge Thanks Tomas, I am learning lot of stuffs from you, also your videos help me improve my listening in English!

[@alihesham2874]

Thank you Thomas, I really love your videos and I can tell that you've had a great impact on life. Keep going!!

[@Riaanwest]

wow, i'm so happy you got as much value from this video as I did :)

[@henrynarabe5472]

Been tracking since January 8th. Just want to briefly say THANK YOU SO MUCH for sharing this extremely effective system! I've learned so much about my own limitations that I've never realized before, especially when it comes to impatiently forming habits lol.

[@VISHNU_PARIDA]

Thx for giving this habit tracker method

[@gregoryv.williams8620]

Excellent video with helpful suggestions. Thanks Thomas!

[@valentina7193]

Just started taking the Skillshare course, always on time sir. Thank you Thomas

[@joycehelminenmusic1513]

LOVE this!!!!!! Thanks for the video!!

[@timotius7774]

Thank you so much bro! You have changed my whole life

[@dafrosambanga7736]

Thank you so much! This is a great tool

[@ivansaric2222]

Nice man! This system works great with my idea of looking at a year as a season and dividing it in to four splits. Each split is three months long and three months are enough to make a good change and form a habit.

[@MichaelM-cf3zb]

this system makes a lot of sense thanks for posting this

[@toufiq4204]

Such a great video. Never thought of habit tracking this way. Thanks.

[@Scottlp2]

Thanks for the great videos. Keeping track of your habits is itself a habit, and for some people they need to start there.

[@TheJessicagardner]

Brilliant video and great advise, thanks

[@chandiragunasena5964]

Excellent video Thomas very inciteful

[@runehawkins]

I’m trying this out! Love your content.

[@adibchyy]

Wow I watched your videos from a few years ago and the quality of your videos has really come a long way

[@RhinoAndre]

Excellent tip like always. Thanks!

[@yukanguis]

I think I'm already doing this with Grow Habit Tracking app. In the app you get an option to select how many days of streak you want. There is also journal option inside each habit where you can write a quick note on what went right or wrong. The most amazing thing about the app is that you get to see a plant grow as your habit grow.

[@scootdub]

Good pragmatic advice! Thank you!

[@michaelp8738]

Your handwriting gives me hope I can be organized in life as well

[@vardaanagarwal3629]

Same 😂 😂 😂 😂

[@tokutskestudies5868]

First thing I thought

[@speex9338]

Thank you! I couldn't decide whether I should keep track of my habits on paper or on my phone. I tried a lot of applications but using my phone is very distractive. I really like this new system and I hope It will work for me.

[@ANAKCreates]

Very helpful! Thank you for this! Definitely want to implement this!!!

[@intentionalliving5932]

This is freaking smart! Thanks!!!

[@suleymantekin2153]

The quality of this video 👌Thank you.

[@greymatters1603]

Thomas, your video quality is simply astonishing!

[@Laura-je2uw]

I found this very innovative and helpful, i am going to implement this right away! Thank you for this great inspiration!

[@Riaanwest]

Thomas is the Best, his work is so helpful as always

[@Magani79]

This is amazing! super helpful. thank you!

[@missblack200926]

I started tracking habits in a weekly basis a couple of Month ago and it works very will for me

[@MysteryViv]

What a great idea that Martin created.. I think this will solve my habit burnout. I would start tracking habits and add a new one every week. Eventually I would burn out and avoid doing all the habits even though they were contributing to a better me. Thank you for presenting this idea.

[@Netbug009]

This is so perfect for me! I love having an analog system and streaks are super demotivating for me, plus I already use graph paper to track pomodoros!

[@Sthefree]

Perfect timing with this video. I was just noticing that I've been really bad at tracking progress. I think The Martin System will work great for me. Thanks to you both :)

[@CynthiaRaeC]

This is so helpful. Thanks a million Thomas, and thanks Martin!!!

[@Riaanwest]

Thomas is the best, i love watching his videos and i'm so happy you got value from this video

[@anasaamer4706]

Yessssss finally finally finally. I've been waiting for a method which can decrease my screen time. Please, MORE ANALOG METHODS. Though I really feel that alot of students feel as if they don't have the time, or like me, don't know whether it can help in earning awesome grades

[@anjil632]

great video, thank you so much.

[@user-jv4bk5bc8d]

Thank you for beautiful information and I have already started applying it

[@leen9927]

This is so helpful!!! Thank you so much🙏

[@ShaileshDagar]

Can we just appreciate the production value of this video for a moment?

[@martinozigrino4532]

very interesting and clever! thank you thomas and Martin ❤❤

[@s.espinoza1167]

Thank you, Thomas. I'll use this system to keep track of my new habits :)

[@siyasethi]

Really good one, thanks

[@isaacperlich]

Thank you for this quality content. Keep it up!

[@qarn4957]

Perfect video at the perfect time. Updating a whiteboard in my bedroom was becoming a messy nightmare. I think I'll give this method a try with the addition of a prize LP or book for each completed cycle.

[@jolasolaify]

Great system, thank you!

[@jsullo22]

Love this system! Definitely going to try this

[@janathenaariana574]

keep it up thomas! your young and adept with so much knowledge .....already subscribed! keep it sweet !

[@ZandySungaOfficial]

one of the best tutorials!

[@nabila9149]

I started something similar in a goal setting journal. It does work better than the app.

[@abhaysharma9317]

I overwhelmed myself throughout this video from thoughts of how many simple things I had been consistently doing wrong and why all this better tracking system hasn't come into my brain.

[@Slyyvie]

this is exactly what i wanted. thank you! i love flexible systems like this that incorporate a reflection and allows ongoing tweaking (y)

[@Riaanwest]

i love reading comments like this "this is exactly what i wanted"

[@CeliaAWhite]

Wow, this looks amazing. Simple, yet effective. Thanks so much!

[@Riaanwest]

nicely stated Celia "Simple, yet effective"

[@marquisdehoto1638]

I think this could actually work 🤔 Definitely giving it a try! Thx for sharing!

[@IshraqAhmedJamaluddin]

I really NEEDED this video now I've reached a good point in maintaining my habits throughout the past few weeks But I was unable to track them in a great way and I was trying different ways to track my habits but this one is exactly what I need in my life right now

[@michaeleng3682]

Thomas, I am almost 40 years older than you but I can't thank you enough for how many benefits you have brought into my life.

[@CaroeJ]

I love this method is analog. Really motivated to do that now!

[@Fredymvega07]

This changes everything!!

[@parkerrex]

Hey Thomas Just listened to "Icicle Swords" on your sunday study playlist. Love the songs. Just wanted to tell you that you inspired me to be more productive and actually start my KZbin channel this year. I listened to you on the Money Lab podcast.. explaining your process and how you operate. Love your content as it truly helps me out. Please keep producing! Look forward to showing off my office soon haha.

[@callmejobson]

Thanks for the video! Great timing actually I just started my bullet Journal today for 2020!