Starting a new habit can feel exciting at first, but sticking with it is often the real challenge. The good news? You don’t need to rely on willpower alone.
With a planner by your side, you can make building habits easier, more enjoyable, and much more sustainable.
Why Habits Matter
Your daily habits shape your life more than you might realize. Small actions, repeated consistently, can lead to big changes, whether that’s more energy, better focus, or simply feeling more in control of your day.
But consistency isn’t always easy. Life gets busy, and it’s easy to lose track. That’s where a planner or habit tracker can step in to keep you focused and motivated.
If you’re starting, you might find it helpful to explore this beginner’s guide to using a planner
or learn how to start planning with simple steps.
How Planners Support Habit-Building
A planner helps turn your good intentions into real, visible progress. Here’s how:
- Accountability: Checking off a habit each day keeps you committed.
- Structure: Habits fit neatly into your daily routine, rather than feeling like “extra work.”
- Motivation: Seeing your progress build over time encourages you to keep going.
Whether you prefer a digital planner on your tablet or a printable version you can use with pen and paper, having a dedicated space to track your habits makes all the difference.
4 Steps to Build Habits That Stick
1. Start Small
Choose just one or two habits to focus on at first. This keeps things realistic and prevents overwhelm. Example: Drink 2 extra glasses of water or read for 10 minutes a day.
2. Use a Habit Tracker
Write your habits down in a tracker inside your planner. Each day, mark off your progress. This small action reinforces the habit and helps you stay consistent.
3. Pair Habits With Your Daily Plan
Instead of treating habits as “extras,” build them into your schedule. For example:
- Add a stretch break between two tasks.
- Write a gratitude note right after your morning coffee.
- Plan your top three priorities before going to bed.
For more structure, check out the differences between daily, weekly, or monthly planner layouts, or use this guide on how to create a daily schedule.
4. Review and Adjust Weekly
At the end of each week, look back at your tracker. Celebrate your wins and notice where you struggled.
Habit Ideas to Try
If you’re not sure where to begin, here are some ideas:
Wellness & Self-Care
- Drink 8 glasses of water.
- Take vitamins or supplements daily.
- Go for a walk after lunch or dinner.
- Stretch for 5 minutes in the morning.
- Meditate or practice deep breathing.
- Get 7-8 hours of sleep.
- Practice a skincare routine before bed.
- Take breaks from screens every 2 hours.
Productivity & Organization
- Plan tomorrow’s top 3 tasks each night.
- Review your planner each morning.
- Check emails only at set times.
- Declutter one small area daily.
- Write down your weekly priorities on Sundays.
- Limit social media scrolling to a set time.
- Set a timer for focused work sessions (Pomodoro).
Learning & Growth
- Read for 15-20 minutes a day.
- Listen to a podcast while commuting.
- Write one journal entry daily.
- Learn one new word or fact each day.
- Practice a new skill for 10 minutes.
- Take an online course lesson weekly.
Relationships & Connection
- Send one thoughtful message to a friend or family member.
- Eat dinner at the table without devices.
- Schedule a weekly check-in with a loved one.
- Give one genuine compliment daily.
- Call or video chat with a friend once a week.
Money & Lifestyle
- Track daily spending in your planner.
- Save a small amount each day (or weekly).
- Make coffee at home instead of buying out.
- Pack a lunch for work or school.
- Review your budget weekly.
- Write down one thing you’re grateful for financially.
Creativity & Fun
- Doodle or sketch for 5 minutes.
- Take one photo daily.
- Try a new recipe each week.
- Write down a creative idea every day.
- Play music or sing along to your favorite songs.
Make Habit-Building Fun
The process doesn’t have to feel like a chore. Personalize your planner with digital stickers, colorful highlights, or themed habit trackers. The more fun and rewarding it feels, the more likely you are to keep going.
