How to build a good habit in 2022

Hi, I am a software engineer, and my job is to break down big things into small ones and then implement them. My annual experiment proved that this approach works for reaching goals too.

Below you will find an interactive article that will help you:

To define your goals.
To answer a question: what exactly to do.
To start: A free tool on a platform of your choice.

Try to fill all checkboxes so you will have the best possible outcome.

1. Set realistic goals for 2022

First, we need to understand the difference between goals and fantasies. A goal can be broken down into a subset of things to do daily and has a deadline, a fantasy — can not.

Good example: Read 30 books in 2022 and become a bit more educated.

Why good: It's feasible, it has an exact date to measure progress and it can be broken down in a daily action: 30 books ~ 30 * 300 pages / 365 = ~24 pages a day.

Bad example: Have villa in Italy

Why bad: is too broad and probably not realistic in one year. Try to start breaking it down: villa price: ~1M$ -> 15% initial payment -> 150k$ -> save 12k$ a month.

Name your goal

Day to achieve

Checklist:

My goal has a deadline My goal can be broken down into daily doable things I have time and resources to contribute towards that goal This goal is worth the valuable resource that I have: Time

2. Start breaking down

The next step is to find out daily doable actions. Don't worry, this is an iterative process when you go back and forth to find your unique way.

Good example: I will read a book before going to bed for 20 minutes, approximately 5 times a week. I will listen to audiobooks during my commute to the work

Bad example: I will read 10 books a day, without breaks because I have a motivational boost right now

Name daily action

Checklist:

I can do it during one day I have or will have everything that I need to do it I have time for it, or will find a time to do it I know which part of the day I will do it 365 days should be enough to reach my goal

3. Simplify things

Doing the same things every day might be challenging and sometimes boring. But we can trick ourselves by running daily tasks into habits.

In addition to good books, I found two good articles that can help you straight ahead:

Good example: What: Read/Listen book for 1 hour. How often:5 days a week. When: before going to bed. Reward: finish the book, brag about it in GoodReads.

Bad example: Read books as much as I can

Name your habit

How often

Checklist:

I can say: I will do [habit] at [time] in [location]. I can stack/parallel [habit].E.g.: Read after the run, or listen to an audiobook during the run. My environment is friendly to do the habit. I know people who can support me. I can reward my self after I will do my habit. I can make it easier to start. If i miss I can always come back on track. I can use a habit-tracking app every day.

You can find explicit cheat sheet on an Atomic Habits website