Forming new habits is a wonderful way to improve your life, reach your goals, and have the motivation and momentum to accomplish anything you want. Tracking habits can be useful to see what good habits are doing for you, and what bad habits are hindering you.

Keeping a journal is a great way to track your habits and record your thoughts about them. If you aren't already in the habit of journaling, making it one can be a useful tool in many aspects of your life. 

Use Your Journal When Creating New Habits

The first way a journal is going to help you is during the beginning stages when you are deciding on the habits you want to form in your life. You can start by talking about where in your life you want to improve, or some goals you have.

Maybe you come up with a few different daily habits you feel would get you closer to your goals, starting just one at a time. Journaling before you set your habits can also help you to work out the details.

You know which ones to start with, what the daily habit and schedule should be, and how it can fit into your current lifestyle.

Combine Habits with Your Goals

You will also have some habits that are related to goals you have set for yourself. These habits help you to complete tasks required for your goals, all of which can be tracked right there in your journal.

It makes it a lot easier to see how things are progressing and see that you are working toward a goal. This can create a feeling of accomplishment, clarity, and awareness about how hard you are working toward something.

Naturally, your journal will also be used to track your new habits. Remember to include the start date, what the habit is, why you are doing it, and track each day, including if you kept up with that new habit, and how it is going.

Look for Ways to Improve the Results

If you aren't getting you the results you wanted, don’t quit just yet. Use your journal to really work out what has been going on and where you think it might not be serving you and your goals. 

Sometimes, it'a because of an inconsistency, other times its simply not a habit that works for you and your lifestyle. Be patient and determined, you will find the habits that work for you!