I’ve written quite often about the various apps and methods that I’ve tried to use to get things done. Currently, I’m still trying to find a flow, and I’m flirting with a paper to-do list. However, I did finally realize something quite important:
Half of my to-do’s aren’t really to-do’s. They’re habits that I want to start.
Things like “Read a book” or “Write” or “Read the Bible,” etc. have been clogging up my to-do list, but that’s not where they belong. They’re not things “to do;” they are life-giving activities that I need to make a part of my life, part of me. I don’t need to cross these things off my list; I need to write them on my heart.
That’s where Habit List came in.
Habit List: a Brief Review
Habit List is a $2.99 iOS app that claims to help the user,
“Create good habits. Break unhealthy ones. Build a better you.”
I’m not sure if that will be your experience, but it’s helping me. I’m reading and writing more consistently, and I’m focussed on what matters. Sure, I still have a to-do list to tackle, but it’s easier once I’ve taken care of myself.
Habit List is really a very intuitive app. Make a habit, decide how often you want it to pop into you list, and set an alarm for that particular habit. If you’d like, you can set a general alarm for the entire list, which will remind you to open the app and check you list.
As you use the app, you’ll be able to track your success (or lack thereof) by examining the data recorded for each app. Even in the main list, you can get a small snippet of this as each app is bulleted by a small circle, green if you’re on a streak of completing that habit or red if not. Within that circle is the number of days you’ve been on or off your streak. It’s very humbling to see a negative number next to a habit, which is telling you that it’s been several days since you’ve successfully completed this habit.
Here’s a few screenshots from the app:
It’s got quite the minimalist feel to it, and it’s beauty is contained therein! I’m really enjoying this app, and I feel like I’m starting to build some real traction in building a better me.
Good Habits Are Good and Godly
Sometimes, in Protestant Evangelical circles, we give off the impression that all habits are bad. Sinful habits certainly are bad, but there’s nothing wrong with forming a “good” or “godly” habit. Jesus habitually went off by himself to pray and went to the synagogue to listen/teach on the Sabbath (Mark 1:35 and Luke 4:16). Jesus had “customs” or “habits,” so why can’t we? The question to ask is whether or not the habit brings you closer to God or not, and you can certainly use Habit List to build those kinds of habits.
Learn more and download Habit List.
Andrew Fallows says
This looks very cool.
For people who don’t have iDevices, or who have a need/desire to access something like this from multiple devices (e.g. phone and web), check out http://lift.do/
Phil Schneider says
Andrew, thanks for the comment and the suggestion! I’ll be checking this out myself! Always trying to be on the edge of new, cool stuff. Thanks!