This Weird Trick Helps You Build Habits and Reach Your Goals, According to Behavioral Science

How can you build a new habit and ensure you stick with it? Use the power of the streak. That intriguing advice from behavioral scientists showed up in a recent New York Times article geared to helping people keep to their New Year’s resolutions. Tracking a streak lets you use gamification to subtly reward yourself for sticking with your new habit.

I do not believe in New Year’s resolutions. But whether you are a skeptic like me or you diligently make one or more resolutions annually, getting on a streak can help you reach whatever goal you set. Game designers know all about streaks. That’s why whenever you play a LinkedIn game or the Times‘ own insanely popular Wordle, it will tell you how long a streak you're on and encourage you to keep it going.

Streaks can work in other contexts too. For instance, Nell McShane Wulfhart, who wrote the article in the Times, said she herself goes running every single day, even though she doesn't love it, because she's got a seven-year streak going and she doesn't want to break it. If you are struggling to complete a project—or, like me, you have cluttered spaces that need clearing out—creating a streak of spending, say, 15 minutes a day on these tasks can help keep you motivated until the job is done. Here’s how to harness the power of a streak.

Please select this link to read the complete article from Inc.