Forming Habits

While this is often a topic that pops up more in January, I thought it would be a good time to discuss forming habits (both writing and others). Part of my goals for right now are to form healthier habits along with trying to write, edit and read on a regular basis. I posted about some of it a couple of months ago: http://dawnembers.blogspot.com/2014/05/the-balance-act.html and I'm still trying to find the right balance (which will go out the window for November but other than that, balance is helpful).

Often times, the hardest part of habit forming is to keep going. It's like New Year's resolutions because the first couple of weeks there is the excitement, but eventually it wears off and one then must find other forces to help persevere until it becomes second nature. Most habits take time to change, whether it's quitting bad ones or starting new ones, it's a challenge. And not everyone is the same. Some can quit cold turkey and others need more gradual, assisted approaches for quitting. Others need lots of encouragement to start up and keep going while some can switch at a faster pace while still feeling in tune despite changes made. Like writing methods, habit forming will vary too.

Here is an interesting article on  the time it takes to form a new habit:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/james-clear/forming-new-habits_b_5104807.html


One thing I've found that helps make habit forming fun is a gaming orientated web site called HabitRPG. Check it out at https://www.habitrpg.com and see if it's something that might work for you. It's kind of fun with the different levels, the little animals and other incentive/punishments to keep one on track.

I have 2 daily goals right now. Read and write. The rest of my habits and goals are divided between the habits option and to-do checklists. My habits vary from submitting stories and posting blog entries to eating veggies and drinking water. My to-do lists have things like read a book, write chapter 23, submit 5 short stories and research. Soon they will have world building ones too in order to get ready for NaNoWriMo.

It's fun for me, so far. I like getting points and such for doing things like having a glass of water. And the to-do lists gets you lots of points and such if you took a while to do it, there is a checklist and such. I'm also in a group so we can fight little monsters and win prizes. Seems like a really fun way to get things done.


Are there any habits you are trying to form?
What habits do you have right now?

Check out habitrpg and let me know what you think if you do. :-)