Create a Habit Tracker in Notion from Scratch

Introduction

Welcome, habit tracker enthusiasts! Are you looking to build a robust habit tracker in Notion but not sure where to start? You’re in the right place! From a simple to-do list to an advanced habit tracker with streak tracking, this guide will walk you through five levels of complexity to help you create a habit tracker that suits your needs perfectly.

Level One: Simple To-Do List Style Habit Tracker

The journey to an extensive habit tracking system begins with the basics—a simple to-do list. This approach is perfect for beginners or anyone who wants to keep things straightforward. Start by creating a new page in Notion, add to-do list blocks for each habit like “Drink Water,” and voilà, you have a basic habit tracker! You can manually check off each task daily and reset for the next day, a method inspired by the simplicity of tools like Apple Notes.

Level Two: Enhanced Habit Tracker with Daily Records

Next up, let’s make our tracker a bit more dynamic by adding daily records without the need to reset manually. This involves creating a “New Day” button which, when clicked, generates a new record for today with the habits listed. Each day stands on its own, allowing you to look back at your past activity without the clutter of unchecking old tasks. Tools like Todoist often use a similar method to ensure day-to-day tasks are organized.

Level Three: Creating a Database for Flexibility

Level three elevates our habit tracker by transitioning from a simple list to a database setup. This format increases flexibility by allowing you to view habits in different styles like Gallery or Table views. Here, each habit gets a checkbox property for easier tracking. Additionally, setting up a template for daily entries from this database ensures that every new day automatically includes your habit checklist, similarly structured to the robust database features in Taskade.

Level Four: Integrating Notion Formulas for Stats Tracking

As we increase complexity, level four introduces the use of Notion formulas to start tracking statistics. By creating a “Day Score” property, you can assess performance based on habits completed each day. This score could be visually represented in Notion as a progress bar, making it simple and motivating to monitor daily achievements.

Level Five: Advanced Tracking with Streaks and Stats

Finally, in the most advanced level, we build a comprehensive tracker that not only captures daily habits but also analyses your performance over time. This includes setting up streak counters that log both your current and longest streaks. Formula magic comes into play heavily here, involving calculations that assess your consistency per habit.

Integration Into Broader Systems

Besides the stand-alone habit tracker, Notion’s flexibility allows for integration into larger systems. You can incorporate your habit tracker into a broader personal productivity system such as “Ultimate Brain,” which coordinates tasks, notes, projects, and habits all in one place. This integration shows how Notion can serve as a central hub for all personal organization needs.

Conclusion

Building a habit tracker in Notion from scratch might seem daunting initially, but dissecting it into manageable levels makes it approachable for anyone, regardless of your familiarity with Notion. Start simple, and gradually add complexity as you become comfortable manipulating formulas and database properties. Remember, the goal is to create a system that helps you stay consistent and accountable with your habits, contributing positively to personal productivity and growth.

Timestamps

00:00 – Intro
00:34 – Level 1
01:17 – Level 2
03:13 – Level 3
06:51 – Add Journaling Prompts
07:23 – Setting a Repeating Template
08:28 – Level 4
13:35 – Level 5
14:01 – Integrate Habit Tracker into Ultimate Brain
17:16 – Build the Streak Tracker

Video source: How to Build a Habit Tracker in Notion from Scratch