How to Create a Habit Tracker Template in Notion
Learn how to design a Notion habit tracker using databases and template buttons.
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Tracking your habits is a powerful way to reach your goals. It helps you see your progress, stay motivated, and understand what works and what doesn't. When you consistently track your daily actions, you build momentum and make positive changes stick.
Notion is a fantastic tool for this because it's so flexible. You can design a habit tracker that fits your exact needs, whether you're trying to drink more water, read daily, or exercise regularly. Its customizable databases make it easy to set up a system that keeps you on track without feeling complicated.
A well-designed habit tracker in Notion can be a game-changer for personal growth. It provides a visual record of your efforts, making it easier to celebrate small wins and identify areas where you might need to adjust your approach. It turns abstract goals into concrete, daily actions.
So now let’s get started.
Steps to Creating Your Notion Habit Tracker Template
By following these simple steps, you will create a fully functional and easy-to-use habit tracker template in Notion that you can duplicate every day or week to keep tabs on your progress.
Step #1: Create a New Page and Choose a Database
First, open Notion and create a brand-new page. You can give it a title like "Habit Tracker Template." Inside this new page, you'll want to add a database. Click on the empty page, and you'll see options to add different blocks.
Choose "Table - Full Page" to create a new database that fills the entire page. This will be the foundation of your habit tracker.
Step #2: Set Up Your Database Properties
Now it's time to customize the columns, which Notion calls "properties." These properties will hold all the important information about your habits.
- The first column, usually named "Name," will be where you list each of your habits, such as "Drink Water," "Read 30 Mins," or "Exercise."
- Next, add a new property by clicking the plus sign next to the last column. Name this new property "Date" and select "Date" as its type. This column will let you pick the specific day you are tracking your habits.
- Then, add another new property. Name this one "Completed" and choose "Checkbox" as its type. This is the column you will check off when you finish a habit for a given day. You can add more checkbox columns for specific days of the week if you prefer, such as "Monday," "Tuesday," etc., but a single "Completed" checkbox per entry is usually simpler for a daily tracker template.
Step #3: Add Your Habits and Daily Entries
With your properties set up, you can start populating your tracker. Add a new row for each habit you want to track. For example, in the "Name" column, you might type "Meditate," "Journal," and "Go for a Walk."
To make this a daily tracker, for each day you track, you will duplicate these rows. However, for a template, you want to set it up so you can easily create a new day's tracking. To do this, you can create a blank set of your habits in the database. For instance, have three rows: "Meditate," "Journal," and "Go for a Walk," leaving the "Date" and "Completed" fields empty for now. This will serve as your starting point.
Step #4: Create a Template Button for Daily Tracking
To make it easy to start a new day of tracking, you'll use a template button. Go back to your main Notion page (not inside the full-page database itself, but above it if you embedded it, or on a new page if you want to keep the template button separate). Type `/template` and select "Template Button."
In the configuration window:
- Give the button a clear name, like "New Day's Habits."
- In the "Template" section, drag your entire habit tracker database (the page you just created) into the content area of the template button.
- Crucially, you'll need to open that database that's now inside the template button and make sure it has your list of habits with the date and checkbox fields ready to be filled. When you click this button, it will create a fresh copy of your habit tracker page, ready for a new day. You can also set up a filtered view within the template button content to only show entries for "today" when they're created, but for a simple template, a fresh page is sufficient.
Step #5: Customize and Filter Your Views
To make your tracker even more useful, you can create different views of your database. Click on "Add a view" at the top of your database.
- Daily View: You might want a view that only shows today's habits. Choose a "Table" view again. Then, click on "Filter" and choose your "Date" property. Set the filter to "is today." Name this view "Today."
- Monthly View: You could also create a "Calendar" view using your "Date" property to see your completed habits spread across a month. This offers a great visual overview of your consistency.
- Progress View: For a simple progress bar view, you can use the "Group by" feature on your "Name" property to see how many times each habit has been checked off over time, though this requires a bit more advanced setup to count checkmarks automatically. For beginners, sticking to the "Today" view and regularly reviewing the full table works well.
Wrapping Up: Your Notion Habit Tracker Template
Creating a habit tracker template in Notion is a straightforward process that can significantly impact your personal goals.
By setting up a simple database, defining key properties, and utilizing template buttons, you build a powerful tool for consistency and self-improvement. Regularly checking off your habits provides a clear visual of your progress, keeping you motivated and accountable every step of the way.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- How do I create a habit tracker in Notion?
You can create a habit tracker in Notion by setting up a database, adding habit names, a date property, and a checkbox to mark completion.
- Is Notion a habit tracker free?
Yes, you can create and use a habit tracker in Notion for free using the Notion free plan.
- How to make recurring habits in Notion?
To make recurring habits in Notion, create a template with your habits and use a template button to generate a fresh copy daily or weekly.
- Can I use a Notion habit tracker on mobile?
Yes, Notion habit trackers work on mobile, allowing you to update habits and view progress from the Notion app.
- Can I track multiple habits in one Notion database?
Yes, you can track multiple habits in one Notion database by adding each habit as a separate row and using filters or views.
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