Do your healthy habits crumble like a Nature Valley Bar?

If so, try checklists. 

Doctor Atul Gawande writes in Checklist Manifesto: 

“Under conditions of complexity, not only are checklists a help, they are required for success.” 

If checklists can help doctors reliably execute under unimaginable pressure… 

Surely, checklists can help you be consistent (and build good habits) in your daily life.

Enter Productive App.

INTRODUCING PRODUCTIVE APP

Productive App (iOS, Android) is a habit management tool. You'll gamify your habit-building (via prompts and visual streaks) for increased motivation.

Productive App has a Pro plan, but the free version will take you far. Most notably, Pro removes ads and allows unlimited habits ($3.99/month or $34.99/year.)

SUPERHUMAN SCORING

In every edition of All Systems Go, I assess the featured product across four superhuman dimensions: impact, setup, maintenance, and aesthetics.

Unlike your typical product review, I focus on factors that influence personal growth. Get to know the evaluation system.

Impact (9.0/10)

Jerry Seinfeld, the famous comedian, wanted to write every day. So, he started marking the completion of each session with a big “X” on a wall calendar.

In the words of Jerry: 

“After a few days you’ll have a chain. Just keep at it, and the chain will grow longer every day. You’ll like seeing that chain, especially when you get a few weeks under your belt. Your only job is to not break the chain.”

The “chain method” is one reason Productive App is so effective:

By tracking and seeing your habit streak (within the app), you'll hack your motivation.

Setup (8.5/10)

Setup is simple:

• To add a habit, click the “+” button.
• Select from trending habits or customize your own.
• Pick a name, relevant icon, color, and frequency.
• Toggle “reminder” if you’d like a notification (recommended).

Pick 1-3 small habits and get started today.

Maintenance (8.0/10)

Again, set notifications to prompt your desired habit.

Prompts like this are research-backed for influencing behavior.

Pro Tip: Productive now has an accompanying iWatch app. If you have an iWatch, mark the completion of habits directly from your wrist.

Aesthetics (9.0/10)

Productive has earned 4.5/5 stars in Apple’s App Store (83.3K reviews). The app is sleek and easy to navigate.

Btw, it’s unclear why the Android version has lower reviews. However, it might be worth exploring comparable apps (there are many).

BRINGING IT HOME

“You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” —James Clear, Atomic Habits

Upgrade your habit-building system with Productive App.

Have a great Sunday 🙂

All systems go,

P.S. If you’re enjoying the free newsletter, it’d mean the world to me if you share it with others. System Sunday just launched, and every single referral helps. Thank you!

• Share System Sunday on Twitter , LinkedIn, Facebook, or via email .
• Or, share by copying and pasting the link: https://systemsunday.com/all-systems-go

---

Resources

• Newsletter Archive: Read past issues of All Systems Go
• Energy Dashboard: Get an under-the-hood look at my self-tracking metrics for energy management (updated weekly)
• [Quick Win] Phone Charger Challenge: Save 60 hours every year with this simple morning hack