Chris Messina

Polar Habits - Build lasting habits without the guilt of broken streaks

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Top Hunter

Habit streaks suck! They get you going, but miss a day, and it's all over. Zero, as if you never even started. Polar Habits is the only habit tracker with no streaks, no guilt, and a *momentum* chart to help you zoom out, bounce back, and keep moving forward!

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Chris Messina
Top Hunter
Hunter
📌
Momentum is the key — not streaks! Hear that @rajiv_ayyangar? 😜
Merott M
@rajiv_ayyangar @chrismessina Thank you for the hunt, Chris! Wouldn't be nice if “momentum” was used instead of “streaks” on PH? (the acronym can also stand for Polar Habits! 😜)
Rajiv Ayyangar
@chrismessina :) I believe it!
NaveenKumar Namachivayam
@rajiv_ayyangar @chrismessina Exactly. I was like 300+ days streaks on PH, suddenly it was gone. I am sure 99% it was a glitch from PH. Then, I lost interest in streaks.
Merott M
Happy New Year! 🎉 I hope you have big ambitions for 2024. I wish you all the success in the new year, and at the same time, I encourage you to accept the daily ups and downs as part of the process towards long-term, lasting change. After years of frustration with habit streaks and feeling demotivated to bounce back from missing workouts, meditation, reading, etc, I wanted a better way to track habits. That’s what Polar Habits is all about. It’s a simple, guilt-free habit tracker with a unique momentum system that won’t make you feel like a failure for missing a day. Instead, it encourages you to bounce back to a habit you might otherwise abandon. I hope you’ll try it, and let me know what you think! 🤗
Vincent Koc
@merott momentum! was going to say would have made a great name. Congratulations on the launch, nice, clean, simple!
Rajiv Ayyangar
@merott how do you calculate momentum?
Merott M
@rajiv_ayyangar The momentum is calculated from cumulative points: +1, +2, +3 ... +n for every "completed" day -1, -2, -3, ... -n — for every "missed" day So, a perfect 5-day streak would be 1+2+3+4+5 =15 I dive deeper into how it works here: https://polarhabits.com/momentum
Barnabé DUBUS
Congrats @merott ! Congratulations on the launch! I love this idea. I too have encountered a lot of frustration with the habits trackers that consider that we function as machines while we are only humans, sometimes demotivated, sometimes sick, sometimes dizzy, sometimes weak.. I had noted this idea in my long list of applications to do one day, but I think I will be able to scratch it ☺️. The app look more powerful with phases that I had in mind and do the job perfectly. I think that in the ideas that will make the application effective, we must focus on the different possibilities of input and or recall. For example, @bonvisions talks about a bar menu, it's a very good idea! There is also surely something to do with Raycast for quick input, with slack and Apple reminder for input reminder notifications etc. Good luck for this project that speaks to me a lot!
Merott M
@bonvisions @barnabed Thanks so much for the feedback! I could definitely do more to make the app more top-of-mind and easier to log habits. I'll be working on native mobile apps soon, and I think there'll be lots of opportunities to integrate with other apps or even automatically track some habits with wearable health tech, etc. Thank you! 🙌
Bren Kinfa 💎 SaaS Gems
Any plans to integrate with task management apps like Todoist or TickTick? Would be amazing to have some sort of sync where completing a task marks completion in PolarHabits, or vice versa!
Merott M
@brenkinfa That's a great idea. I'm starting to work on native mobile apps soon, and that's something to consider as I iterate towards its next major overhaul. Thanks, Bren!
Bon
I really like the concept of this product. However, it is essential to develop a menubar app for more convenient management.
Merott M
@bonvisions That's an interesting idea I hadn't considered. I'm planning to build native apps for mobile this year, so I'll look into this as well!
Germán Merlo
Hey Merott! Challenging idea here. Removing guilt of habits tracking makes me feel better but also know that streaks works in order to force us to make something hard for us. Anyway it sounds so Interesting and I’ll try it out of course. Congrats on the launch
Merott M
@german_merlo1 Thanks for sharing that! Yeah, I totally understand that. Sometimes we do need to push ourselves a bit more and "work harder" to achieve the outcome we're looking for. Streaks really shine for short-term bursts, but I think over the long run, the momentum system is more forgiving and likely to result in lasting change. Of course, that's my personal opinion, nothing "scientific" about it! 😅
Kaizendae
When is the mobile app with Mobile Notifs coming?
Merott M
@kaizendae I’m planning to start working on the mobile app this month. Right now, I have no idea how long it’ll take, but it’s my #1 priority.
Cameron DeJong
This remains the very best habit tracker I have used. I don't feel bad when I miss a day. Even a two day miss doesn't end the world because I know that if I maintain consistency otherwise, my track is still upward and onward. This momentum system is unique and has helped keep me in the right direction. Looking forward to what the team at Polar Habits has in store for 2024!
Merott M
@cameron_dejong1 Thank you so much for your support, Cameron!
Malcolm Booth
This is the only habit tracker I have been able to stick to over a long time. Highly recommend!!
Merott M
@malcolm_booth thanks for the vote of confidence! 🙌
Matej Cabadaj
I love the UI design and the branding! Very eye-pleasing and cute! Cool concept, especially now for the start of the year! Congrats on the launch!🤩
Merott M
@matej_cabadaj thank you!
Trang Pham
Congrats on the launch 💐 I want to ask if without a streak and only momentum, how can we measure the progress or effectiveness?
Merott M
@tranggpham In Polar Habits, you can see the total number of times you’ve completed a habit. This _could_ be useful, but I think every habit is different, and even a streak is often not a good measure of progress or success. For example, a 100-day meditation habit streak means nothing if you don’t feel more calm and positive. So, in my opinion, it makes more sense to measure success or failure through desired outcomes.
Trang Pham
@merott okay I see. I agree with your point that it means nothing if we don't feel fulfilled or can't find joy through the streak.
Prathamesh Ware
Happy new year. Also congrats on launch.
Merott M
@prathamesh_ware Thanks! Happy New Year!
Suchismita Dutta
Nice... so interesting...
Na Zhi
Wow, my son will need this one. LOL. Hope he will have good habits later.
Swati Parida
Kudos on the successful launch! Your concept of a habit tracker that eliminates streak stress and provides a positive momentum chart is truly innovative. Excellent job, @merott!
Merott M
@swati_parida Thank you for your support! 🙌
Nithin Jawahar
What a launch! I know I'm very bad at streaks, so I hope this will helps me with my habit building. On day 1, lets say how this goes 🔥
Merott M
@nithin_jawahar Amazing. Thanks for checking it out, Nithin. Good luck with your habits, and let me know if you have any ideas on how it can help you best!
Prakhar Tandon
Congrats, @merott on the launch! Just explored it - love the guilt-free vibe and unique momentum system! It's a simple and encouraging habit tracker. Will definitely give it a shot! Any tips for getting the most out of the momentum system?
Merott M
@prakhar_tandon_1 Thanks for the support, Prakhar! As for tips, if you're anything like me, try to let go of the perfectionism. Even break the streak on purpose a few times, letting the momentum chart dip for a day or two before bouncing back! It's a good feeling when you look back on the past! 😁
Ayomide Clinton
Incredible
MANAS DEWARI
congratulations on the launch