Real Examples from Real Teens

Step 1: Brain Dump (5 minutes)
Write down EVERYTHING you need to do today. Don't organize yet—just get it all out of your head.

Step 2: Prioritize (3 minutes)
From your brain dump, choose your Top 3 Priorities. These are the things that MUST get done today. Ask yourself: "If I only accomplished 3 things today, what would make today successful?"

Step 3: Time-Block (10 minutes)
Assign specific time slots to your tasks in the hourly schedule. Be realistic! Include breaks, meals, and transition time between activities.

Step 4: Add To-Do's (2 minutes)
Add smaller tasks to your to-do list. These are things you'll do if you have extra time or between scheduled blocks.

Step 5: Evening Reflection (5 minutes)
Before bed, write in your Daily Thought section. What went well? What would you do differently tomorrow?

The SMART Framework:

• Specific: "Get better at math" → "Score 90% or higher on next Algebra test"
• Measurable: Track your progress with a number or percentage
• Achievable: Challenge yourself but be realistic
• Relevant: Make sure it matters to YOU, not just others
• Time-bound: Set a deadline

Break It Down:
Big goals are overwhelming. Break them into weekly mini-goals. Example: "Learn guitar" becomes "Learn 2 new chords this week."

Update Your Progress:
Move that slider every week! Even 5% progress is progress. Seeing visual improvement keeps you motivated.

Celebrate Small Wins:
Hit 25% progress? Treat yourself! Finished a goal? Set a new, bigger one!

Start Ridiculously Small:
Want to read more? Start with 1 page per day, not 1 hour. Want to exercise? Start with 5 pushups, not 30 minutes at the gym. Small habits are easier to maintain.

Stack Your Habits:
Link new habits to existing ones. "After I brush my teeth (existing habit), I will do 10 pushups (new habit)."

Never Miss Twice:
Life happens. You'll miss a day. That's okay! But NEVER miss two days in a row. One miss is an exception. Two misses is the start of a new (bad) habit.

Track Your Streaks:
Use the Habit Tracker year view to see your progress. Watching those checkmarks add up is incredibly motivating!

The 2-Minute Rule:
If a habit takes less than 2 minutes, do it immediately. No excuses. This builds momentum.

• The 2-Minute Rule: If something takes less than 2 minutes, do it now instead of adding it to your list
• Batch Similar Tasks: Do all your reading at once, all your math problems at once—switching costs time
• Eat the Frog: Do your hardest or least favorite task FIRST thing. Everything else will feel easier
• Use the Pomodoro Technique: Study for 25 min, break for 5 min. Repeat. Prevents burnout
• Plan Tomorrow Tonight: Spend 10 min before bed planning tomorrow. Wake up knowing exactly what to do
• Limit Distractions: Put your phone in another room while studying. Seriously. It works
• Energy Management: Do hard tasks when your energy is highest (usually morning). Save easy tasks for when you're tired
• The Sunday Reset: Spend 30 min every Sunday planning your week. Set goals, schedule tasks, prep for success