Title: Tech Tools to Reap the Benefits of Good Habits

Title: Tech Tools to Reap the Benefits of Good Habits

Dabbling into the art of habit formation? Some claim it takes a mere 21 days, while others argue it's a more prolonged process, ranging from 18 to a whopping 254 days. The Lift app, a buzzing newcomer, swears by a shorter timeline of three days. Curious to find out if three is the magic number, we decided to put Lift to the test.

Lift, debuting this summer, offers a straightforward approach to setting goals and tracking progress, with the added bonus of having an engaging community for support. The process consists of three easy steps: identifying good habits, logging performance, and progressing. With no strings attached, users can sign up via an iPhone, newer versions of the iPod touch, or the iPad.

How does it work?

Once the username creation process wraps up, users are presented with an array of popular habits – such as taking vitamins or jogging X miles – or the option to concoct their unique goals. Each habit displays the number of fellow participants aiming for the same goal and the time they checked in. Users can embrace an endless number of habits, and their selection or elimination can be modified at any given moment.

Upon completing a task, whether it's jogging around the block or tossing out the trash, users simply access the app and tick off the checkbox marking the task accomplished. Adding a check-in, complete with comments on the process, like running three miles during an unexpected rainstorm, is another available option.

The Lift website assures users they're "not alone," and community interaction is prioritized. A check-in announcement is shared with friends, and there's a little "thumbs-up" emblem – akin to Facebook's "like" button – to offer "props" for other's accomplishments. Inviting friends to join the app is yet another way to amplify motivation, and though hiding habit information from other users is currently absent, the creators plan to incorporate that feature in the future.

Diving Headfirst into Lift

Eager to explore the app's capabilities, I selected ten habits to monitor for a week: call Mom and Dad, declutter, get to sleep by midnight, log my nutrition on MyFitnessPal, practice good posture, offer compliments, avoid late-night snacking, drink three cups of tea daily, sleep for at least eight hours nightly, and up my water intake.

With my objectives in hand, I found myself motivated to log my sleep and maintain correct posture at work. Before leaving the office, my area was immaculate, and I made a point to meticulously tidy my room before slumber. And every morning I dutifully made my bed, a smaller-scale version of decluttering.

Upon tallying my progress after seven days, I discovered that I had checked into each task at least once (some more frequently than others). Drinking more water ended up being the most challenging, but perhaps specifying a concrete quantity would have provoked more success. In accordance with Lift's three-day rule, I achieved three habits in seven days – calling my parents, documenting my meals, and decluttering. Admittedly, the last objective was somewhat vague, encompassing any manner of cleanliness revamping.

Verdict

Receiving emails from the Lift team, lauding my consistency on simple tasks, served as a delightful reinforcement of my daily actions. Regularly visiting the app did not, however, induce me to overlook calling my parents if I neglected the app. Being cognizant of my water intake and meal logs made me more conscious of my daily dietary choices. Although alternative means of tracking, such as pen and paper, existed, the daily reminders were undeniably beneficial.

Regrettably, I did not take advantage of the app's social facets to the fullest capacity. I did not offer "props" for colleagues' accomplishments or extend the invitation to friends to join the Lift community.

Conclusion

For now, I'm temporarily consigning my Lift check-ins to the sidelines, but I do believe that the app has much to offer. It's free, simple, and devoid of harm. Offering the app a test drive is a worthwhile endeavor, and if interested, it's readily available in the iTunes store.

Fancy giving Lift a shot? Download Lift from the iTunes store.

Curious about your Lift experiences or preferred habits to track? Share them in the comments section below, or tweet the author, @nicmcdermott.

Lift's approach to habit formation encourages users to focus on identifying healthy habits, such as taking vitamins or maintaining good posture. With the app's community feature, users can receive encouragement and support from fellow participants.

Despite not fully utilizing Lift's social features, the app provided daily reminders that helped increase my awareness of my daily dietary choices and water intake, making it a simple and beneficial tool for tracking habits.

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