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Ben Franklin’s hack tweaked - tracking my goals


A number of people have posted about Ben Franklin’s virtues, which is one of the coolest ideas for tracking your habits. I’ve thought about this idea for quite some time, and just this week decided to tweak it to fit my own goals.

I created a simple spreadsheet for tracking my habits and goals, from exercise to quitting caffeine to my morning routine to my debt and savings goals.

Now, I have a weekly schedule worked out so that each of these is scheduled for different days, so on this chart I have the other days greyed out when I don’t need to worry about that goal or habit.

So here’s the key: each evening, I review my day (as Ben Franklin did). I look through the boxes for that day, and put a dot for the habits or goals I accomplished for that day, and an “x” for those I didn’t. My goal is to have all dots and no “x”s. Then, I look at what’s coming up for the next day, so I am prepared for tomorrow.

I do this review as the last thing I do before going to bed. It has been working like a charm. Like any system, it only works if you work it, but so far I’ve been working it. I highly recommend this system, as it’s a great way not only to track your goals and habits, but to motivate yourself to stick with it each day.

OK, I know this is very similar to Joe’s Goals, but I like this analogue method even better. I printed out a few small sheets (half of letter-sized sheet), printed out a nice cover with the word’s “Habit Book” on the front. Give it a shot!

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Brilliant comments (16)

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Anonymous Says:

February 1st, 2007, 19:56 pm

very cool! i’ll try this out.

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Anonymous Says:

February 1st, 2007, 22:21 pm

this is an awesome hack. good luck with your goals!

i wonder how ben franklin would fare in today’s business or political world? probably pretty well.

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decluttercollegemother Says:

February 2nd, 2007, 23:30 pm

This is a great way to manage and organize your goals. It feels good to accomplish something each day. Thanks!
I’d like to do a trackback on your 20 motivating hacks, mainly because blogging motivates me.

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Leo Says:

February 3rd, 2007, 0:25 am

@decluttercollegemother: thanks for the comment … and i’d love it if you linked to the 20 hacks, thanks.

btw, i checked out your blog and it’s pretty cool. i subscribed to it because it looks interesting. also, nice layout.

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Anonymous Says:

February 11th, 2007, 0:54 am

Ich verstehe das Konzept nicht ganz

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Alex Shalman Says:

April 1st, 2007, 13:12 pm

Pretty cool idea. You mentioned a bunch of people writing about BF virtues. I’m actually in the middle of a series right now. Each week I pick a new one, just like good ol’ BF. =)

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Pril Says:

June 26th, 2007, 14:44 pm

i have something simular and it states the progress
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pPa7Qhf9G-JPMtQu_y6fedg
i use this with 43things.com
notice i have my months goals on top then i list what was done!
your seem very wise do you think i could pick your brain or have some tips on what i am doing wrong for weekly goals?
i never seem to get anything over 50 % done anymore!

but all the stuff is important at the time of creation and i change it as i go as well however it just seems like i’m still at the start and i’m not getting much done!
anysuggestions

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Dan Gtdagenda Says:

April 8th, 2008, 13:15 pm

I use for this http://www.gtdagenda.com , the checklists section. It’s great.

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Harry Says:

November 15th, 2008, 14:14 pm

I’d like to recommand another cool web app specifically designed for
tracking goals and todo list, and time logging too is called GoalsOnTrack.com.
It’s free at http://www.goalsontrack.com.

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rishabh Says:

November 19th, 2008, 1:11 am

Hi Leo:

It would be great if you’d upload a sample excel sheet.

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Aeroporika Eisitiria Says:

February 3rd, 2009, 14:32 pm

You (and me and everyone) needs a check-list for everything that has to be reviewed daily, weekly etc. And then we need to update that check-list every week or two with new, improved tips and ideas!

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RMalik Says:

March 11th, 2009, 15:43 pm

Fantastic post - I’m implementing this right away to start modifying my behavior in an organized way. Thank you!

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Chelsea Says:

March 30th, 2009, 18:41 pm

I would love more tips on how to stop being a workaholic slave dedicating our lives to producing more & more all of the time, most of it of little pleasurable value. But I do see the value in this tip. I just dislike that people chalk it up to “Getting things done”. Is this on your list? Work yourself into a panic, because you are worthless in society unless you are always producing or consuming?

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Everything Counts Says:

May 23rd, 2009, 15:32 pm

Awesome post. A great way to manage and organize your goal. I also believe that success lies in the details. From start to finish, the distinguishing characteristics of success are found in the details.

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Xiobus Says:

June 4th, 2009, 19:56 pm

Excellent…. might i suggest ultimately linking your short term goals with long term ones, especially your mental/emotional needs; after all real productivity is how you personally define it and not how others do!

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free divorce papers Says:

June 7th, 2009, 16:34 pm

I have never heard of Ben Franklin’s virtues before. Let me try this out.

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