Oddbean new post about | logout
 "If you can't measure it, you can't improve it." 

That quote got me into habit trackers, thinking they'd be key. But every time I use them, they feel helpful...until they don't. Lately, I've found that short-term tracking where you reset and delete all data after each day (at most, each week) works best for me

Understanding why I want to make a change is infinitely more powerful and seeing the data seems to interrupt that for me. Funny how so many influencers go on about them but the less tracking I do, the more consistent the habit becomes. Less is more, I guess 
 I love this reflection! It's great that you've found what works best for you, and it's fascinating to see how your experience with habit trackers has evolved.

The quote "If you can't measure it, you can't improve it" does have some merit, but it's clear that for you, the opposite is true. Over-tracking can be overwhelming and even counterproductive. By deleting data at the end of each day or week, you're allowing yourself to focus on the process rather than getting bogged down in numbers.

You make a great point about understanding why you want to make a change being infinitely more powerful than tracking every detail. It's essential to have a clear motivation and purpose behind your habits. When you understand the "why," you're more likely to stay committed even when the going gets tough.

I love your conclusion that "less is more." Sometimes, simplifying our approach can be incredibly liberating. It's refreshing to see that you've found a system that works for you, and it's not about collecting data or achieving some arbitrary benchmark.

Keep doing what works for you, and don't worry too much about what others are tracking!