Author: Alayna Lopez
Have you ever started a goal and then wondered if you’re making any progress? If you set a goal to lose weight or bulk up, you’d probably check your weight periodically to evaluate your progress. So why do we often forget to track our progress when it comes to other goals?
Whether you’re working on building better habits, eating healthier, reading more, or anything in between, tracking your progress makes a huge difference. And yet, it’s one of the easiest things to let slip.
The good news? It’s never too late to get on track.
Why Should We Track?
Sometimes we dive into a goal full of energy and think, “I’ll just stay consistent. That’s all I need.” But when life starts moving fast—and it always does, we can forget to track our progress. Motivation fades. You may forget how many days you actually followed through.
Tracking can feel unnecessary—until it isn’t. Tracking is a great way to visualize the evidence so you can see your progress.
If the busyness of life throws off your consistency, check out our other post on that exact roadblock: Life Gets Busy—Staying Consistent Anyway.
What Happens When You Don’t Track
Without any kind of progress check, it’s tough to tell whether you’re improving or if the effort is worth it. That’s when discouragement creeps in.
Even worse, when you do miss a day or feel like you’ve “messed up,” it hits harder. You have no history to look back on for encouragement—just that one missed day staring you in the face.
Why Tracking Makes a Difference
It makes your progress visible.
You get to see how far you’ve come, which is much more motivating than relying on memory.
It builds momentum.
Every time you check a box or write down a win, you’re reinforcing the habit.
It helps you stay honest.
Even if things aren’t going as planned, tracking gives you clarity. You can adjust—but don’t quit.
It keeps you connected to your “why.”
When you’re regularly checking in, your goal stays front and center. Learn more about why understanding your “why” is so important here.
How to Start Tracking
It’s best to keep it simple. Here are a few ways to start tracking today:
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Make a habit tracker: Print a simple calendar or use a phone app.
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Write one line a day: “I followed through today.” That’s all you need—or, be more specific if you’d like, writing what you did.
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Set weekly check-ins: Did I move forward this week?
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Snap a photo or record a voice memo: A visual or audio cue can be quite motivating.
You don’t need a spreadsheet. You don’t need perfection. You just need a simple way to remind yourself: You’re doing this, and every bit of progress counts. Want a jumpstart? Click here to download a 30-day habit tracker! Use it digitally on your phone, computer, or another device—or print your tracker and put it in a place you’ll see it daily.
Start tracking today! You might be surprised how far you’ve come already.
