Alright, we’ve learned the difference between being in motion vs. taking action, we’ve picked a habit and committed to mastering the art of showing up, and now we’re going to print out our Don’t Break the Chain habit tracker.
If you don’t have a printer there will be a link at the bottom with instructions on how to make this yourself.
- Go to https://www.calendarlabs.com/
- Find the online “Online Calendars” section on the top row in the left column.
- Find and click the month you want to print out.
- Scroll down and click the far left PDF button on the top row under the main image. (Note: There is a “Printable Format” button on the main page, I prefer the PDF version that’s on the row below the main image. Check both and see which you prefer.)
- Click the download PDF.
- Print it out.
Easy peasy lemon squeezy.
Now you have a quick print out to get started.
Don’t Break the Chain
I’ve written about this concept before, it’s super simple and a great habit tracking method.
Every time you complete your habit via the two-minute rule, you mark an X. I also like to put the time in the top section, but you do you.
Habit tracking is a beautiful thing and making the X becomes its own reward. Having visual evidence of your progress is the perfect pick-me-up you’ll need on days you might be feeling a little down.
The goal is to continuously chain as many Xs together as possible.
This is a great goal, but don’t be afraid to build in some forgiveness depending on your situation.
If you have crazy weekends, then limit your chains to Monday through Friday, only commit to a month, or limit your commitment to whatever you need to do to take the edge off and make it less intimidating. The entire point of the two-minute rule is to make the habit as easy as possible, apply the same principle here with your Xs. Once you start building momentum it will get easier.
Be sure to start with as few habits as possible, so if this is your first go, then start off with one. Maybe two, if one of them is giving your mother a hug. She worries about you, stop being a deadbeat. And definitely not one of those weak sauce one-second hugs: 5 seconds is the minimum to get the feel goods flowing. Hugs are good for the soul.
Pro Tip: Put your calendar somewhere super obvious, like taped to your bathroom mirror, on a counter in a highly trafficked area, or on a chair where you eat meals. This is a form of environmental design and can go a long way towards helping you stick with your new habit.
Alright, that’s it for today. Get out there and start stacking Xs!
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