Atomic habits scorecard is a simple exercise that deals with habit development. In certain situations, a person cannot recognize the authenticity of his behavior.
It means the person is unable to find out whether his habits are good or bad. He cannot think about them but unconsciously carries them out because he is accustomed to those habits.
How can a person change his habits in such a case? Well, through “pointing and calling,” you can change your habits. The origin of the habit scorecard is the “pointing and calling.” It is a simple exercise used to become more aware of your behaviors.
Table of Contents
What is a Scorecard?
A scorecard is a card, sheet, or book in which scores are entered. It is like a personal document that keeps a record of what you do. A card or book used to store or record habits is known as a habits scorecard.
Why is the Atomic Habits Scorecard Important?
According to James Clear, the atomic habits habit scorecard is very important to keep for several reasons. These are;
1. Make a List of Things
Atomic habits scorecard helps you list things. It is the best technique to use a scorecard as it shows you the list of habits or behaviors you want to develop or break. It is a kind of check and control that helps you note down your progress in the world of habits.
While developing habits, make it your job to list down all the habits or things you want to do. Write it right in the morning before starting your day. Don’t brush your teeth, don’t make your bed, and don’t go for a morning walk as long as you don’t write the to-do list.
For example, if you want to develop good work habits, make a list of all working habits.
Mention every detail in the habit scorecard so that you can easily pinpoint any important habit or thing. Write down the time of day during which you want to do a specific task.
2. Look at each Habit and Ask Yourself if it is a Good, Bad, or Neutral Behavior
It is essential to check the process of success and all the prerequisites. As an active person of habit formation, you should ask yourself about the habits you are practicing. Write down all the habits and follow the next step.
Write all the habits in a row. Name the habits with specific signs. At this stage, you must have noticed that there are three types of habits.
The habits that can benefit you in the long run, term them as positive habits. If you think there are positive habits in the habit scorecard, then write a plus or positive sign before it or denote positive habits with a plus sign. Denote negative habits or the habits that don’t benefit you in the long run by a minus – sign. Denote neutral habits by = or equal sign.
For example,
Check my phone –
Go to bathroom =
Take a shower +
This marking and indicating depends on your goals and priorities. For a person, checking his phone might be a positive habit at some moment but a negative for a person studying for the upcoming paper. So better to identify your goals and then work on the relevant habits.
Similarly, you can also make a list of daily habits and indicate them using the above mathematical signs. It would help you save energy and be productive.
Now, why do you need to mention such habits, or why do you need the atomic habits scorecard? The basic reason is to pin down which habits you want to form and which to break. When you mark your habits with either a +,-, or = sign, you can easily know the point of focus. Reflect on each habit and develop or break it according to your needs and focus.
3. Be Aware of Your Habits
The third important aspect of the atomic habits scorecard is that it makes you aware of your habits. Remaining aware of what you are doing is one of the much-needed tasks. For a person developing or breaking habits, knowing what he is practicing becomes much more significant.
A person developing some beneficial habits must be aware that habits marked with positive + signs are his point of focus. He should be mindful that all habits except those marked with the – sign are not in his interest.
A person stopping bad habits will focus on the habits marked with negative – signs mentioned in the habit scorecard. These habits are no longer in his interest, and he needs to avoid or break them.
It is also important to notice what is actually going on. Be aware of your thoughts and actions. Aligning your thoughts with your actions is the only way to create harmony in habit formation or habit building.
Recognize your habits and acknowledge the cues that trigger them. When you know the cue and the corresponding trigger, you can quickly form or break a habit. It tells you clearly which habits to develop and which to avoid.
Atomic Habits Scorecard Template
Atomic habits scorecard template is very easy to draw and understand. This template gives you a reflection of what habits you can build and break. The template is as follows.
The Habit Scorecard
| Habits | Good Habits (+) | Bad Habits (-) | Neutral Habits (=) |
|---|---|---|---|
How to Categorize Habits as either Good or Bad?
What term do you think is appropriate for describing habits, good and bad or effective and ineffective? I prefer to use effective habits instead of good and ineffective instead of bad. Good and bad are slightly inaccurate.
There are no good or bad habits. There are only effective and ineffective habits. Effective in terms of solving problems. Bad habits are also helpful in some way, and that’s why you repeat them.
When categorizing habits and scoring them on the habit scorecard, you have to focus on the benefits. If the habit will benefit you in the long run, it is an effective habit. Good habits have positive results.
Bad habits don’t serve you in the long run. They have adverse outcomes. For example, reels on Facebook or Instagram may serve you for the time being (at the moment), but they cannot benefit you in the long run. If you are watching them just for pleasure, then you are at risk of wasting time.
James Clear puts this very simply. He states that if you are identifying good and bad habits, ask yourself a simple question. “Does this behavior help me become the type of person I wish to become? Does this habit cast a vote for or against my desired identity”?
Habits that reinforce your desired identity are usually considered good. Habits that conflict with your desired identity are usually bad.
Your Next Step
You might be wondering, what is the next step to take from here? While creating a habit scorecard, there is no need to rush and change anything at first. Your goal at this stage is to notice what is going on. Observe your thoughts and actions without thinking of criticism. It is too early to blame or appreciate yourself for your mistakes or successes.
Behavior change is not a one-time task. It requires time and patience. The most important factor is that it starts with awareness. Pointing and calling in the atomic habit scorecard are important and helpful strategies in changing behavior practice. These strategies focus on getting you to recognize your habits and acknowledge the cues that trigger them.
For example, when inflation affects your buying habits, you can change your purchasing routine by pointing to price-sensitive shopping.
Conclusion
Atomic habits scorecard is a simple strategy for changing any habit. It helps you easily change habits while focusing on the outcomes. The scorecard enables you to identify good and bad habits that can serve you in the long run.
FAQs
How to use a habit scorecard?
There is no logic or science to reading atomic habits scorecards. You need to write the habits indicated by specific signs. Next, look at the scorecard every morning and focus on what habits you desire.
Why is the categorization of habits important?
Categorizing habits as good or bad and effective or ineffective is very important because it is one strategy for a habit scorecard. Furthermore, this helps you focus on a particular habit in your routine.
How does an atomic habit scorecard help in habit formation?
The habit scorecard helps in habit formation by increasing awareness of existing habits and also allows individuals to distinguish between beneficial and detrimental habits. The atomic habit scorecard provides a structured approach to track progress and make adjustments accordingly.
