1500 - 2000 / Francis Bacon / Habits and Habit Tracker

Unlock Your True Potential with a Habit Tracker Template [Francis Bacon]

By Effluo | Published February 10, 2023 | No Comments

Are you looking for ways to better yourself by creating new habits but don’t know where to start?

Look no further than a habit development framework and habit trackers! A habit development framework along with a good habit tracker template are effective tools that can help you build better habits.

This article will explore why habit development is so important, how habit trackers can help you reach your goals, and what tips to keep in mind when starting habit development. You will review the steps for creating a good habit development framework and will be able to download a free habit tracker template.

Habit Development Framework

The habit development framework is the set of guiding principles you create to begin developing your habits. Yes, you can just start creating new habits, and that may work. However, to ensure success, you should consider spending time and creating a good framework for your habit development.

This process begins by understanding the current state of your habits, considering what areas need improvement, and then setting goals and objectives to work towards those improvements.  Habit development requires commitment, consistency, and dedication in order to be successful.

Habit Tracker

A habit tracker is an organized system for tracking progress on the goals and objectives that you have created.  When creating a habit tracker, it is important to consider how the system will help you track your progress over time.  A good habit tracker should include features such as a reminder system, an way to monitor progress, and an archive for tracking progress over a longer period of time.

Once the habit tracker is set up, use it to track your progress, to reinforce positive habits, and break negative ones. You can track the progress by checking off or coloring in the days that you were successful in the pursuit of that habit. To reinforce positive habits remember to celebrate your accomplishments by seeing how many days you were able to sustain the habit.  By rewarding yourself for sticking to the habit, you will be more motivated to continue working towards your objectives. Finally you can see the number of days you missed a habit and determine if there are any patterns that trigger the old negative habit to rise to the surface. Being aware of these patterns will help you overcome the obstacles.

Habit development and tracking have been popularized in recent years. However, it is not a new development, these were used in the past by the great historical figures like Francis Bacon and Benjamin Franklin. 

At Effluo, we study the teachings of great historical figures to get inspired by the lives of history’s greatest minds.  To study the concept of habit development, we turned to the life and works of Francis Bacon.

Who Is Francis Bacon?

  Abeunt studia in mores

  Studies change into habits

Francis Bacon

Francis Bacon was an English philosopher, statesman, and scientist who lived during the late 16th century and early 17th century.  He is famous for his concepts of empiricism, inductive reasoning, and scientific methodology.

He is known for his famous quote, “Studies change into habits,” which emphasizes the importance of self-development and habit development in order to achieve success.

To study the habit development process according to Francis Bacon, we used his notable published work The Essays. Specifically the essays Of Nature Of Men and Of Studies.

Science Of Habit Development

  Nature is often hidden, sometimes overcome; seldome extinguished.

  Francis Bacon

Francis Bacon pointed out that self-development is a continual journey.  You can hide or overcome bad habits, but rarely are they completely gone. Therefore, maintaining the new habit is something you need to work on regularly. 

First step to overcoming the bad habits is to understand the science of habit development.

The science of habit development is the modern study of how habits are formed and how they can be changed or modified.  It examines the underlying mechanisms behind habit formation and habit tracking, as well as strategies for changing an individual’s behavior in order to foster better habit practices.

The scientific approach to habit development involves understanding the habit cycle, identifying triggers to habits, and creating an effective habit tracker template.

The habit cycle is a six-step loop that consists of the cue, craving, response, reward, belief, and reflection.

1. The cue is what triggers the habit; it could be anything from a person’s location to their emotional state.
2. Craving is the feeling that motivates a person to engage in a habit.
3. The response is the habit itself, such as procrastinating or eating unhealthy foods.
4. The reward is what reinforces the habit and makes it more likely to be repeated.
5. Beliefs are beliefs about the habit, such as “I can’t stop myself from procrastinating” or “eating healthy is hard.”
6. Lastly, reflection involves reflecting on the habit and learning from it in order to create better habits in the future.

By understanding the habit cycle and developing an effective habit tracker system, individuals can monitor their progress and make necessary changes to develop healthier habit practices.

Benefits of Habit Development

Men of Age object too much, consult too long, adventure too little, repent too soone, and seldome drive business home to the full period, but content themselves with a mediocrity of successe.

Francis Bacon

Francis Bacon cautions us against mediocrity.  Developing good habits can lead to the following:

• Better time management
• Improved decision-making and goal-setting skills
• Increased productivity
• Improved mental health
• And more…

The main benefit of developing good habits is that it takes you to a different level.  You overcome mediocrity, begin believing in your successes, and become exceptional.

Francis Bacon’s Framework for Habit Development

In review of Bacon’s work from The Essays, we extracted the following points for developing a habit development framework.

1. Stay Consistent
2. Schedule in Regular Breaks
3. Break Down Big Habits
4. Use Reminders
5. Review Your Progress Using a Habit Tracker Template
6. Celebrate Your Successes

Stay Consistent and Schedule Breaks

  Let not a man force a habit upon himselfe with a perpetual continuance, but with some intermission.

  Francis Bacon

The habit development process is not a one-time event; it requires consistent and dedicated effort over an extended period of time in order to be successful.  Depending on the habit, habit formation can take anywhere from a few weeks to months or even years.  

One of the most important things to keep in mind when trying to develop a habit is consistency.  It’s easy to fall off track or give up after only a few weeks, but it’s important to stay motivated and keep pushing yourself.  Sticking with habit development for an extended period of time will help ensure that the habit sticks and becomes a part of your everyday routine. Francis Bacon does not discard consistency, he actually emphasizes the ‘perpetual continuance’.

However, he emphasizes, that even though consistency is essential, it is important to keep in mind that life will happen regardless of your determination.  Francis Bacon recommended scheduling breaks in the process of habit development.  Specifically, schedule a few breaks to allow for the instances where you cannot maintain that consistency.   Scheduling a few breaks ahead of time allows for flexibility.   You will no longer feel like you failed if you miss a day of habit development; you will instead look at it as using up a scheduled break.  This will prevent you from giving up after only a few weeks and will allow you to move ahead.

Building new habits can be an arduous journey, but it is worth the effort as it can lead to lasting results and long-term change. Having that flexibility built into your schedule is the key to making you succeed.

Creating a Habit Tracker Template

  The mould of a man’s Fortune is in his owne hands

  Francis Bacon

The habit development process is an ongoing journey, but with the right tools and dedication, individuals can create better habits for themselves and achieve lasting results.  Creating an effective habit tracker system requires an organized approach and dedication to habit development.

Here are some tips to get started:

Break Down Big Habits

Developing habits require consistency and dedication, so start with manageable goals that you can realistically achieve.  Break down habit goals into smaller, achievable tasks.  This makes habit tracking more manageable and will help keep you motivated as you progress toward your habit goals.

Use Reminders

Use digital reminders or other tools to help yourself stay on track with habit development and habit tracking.

Review Your Progress

Reflect on your habit journey and learn from it.  Taking time to reflect can help you identify areas that need improvement and create more effective habit practices in the future.

Celebrate Your Successes

Keep track of successes as well as areas where improvement is needed.  Celebrating small wins can motivate you to continue striving for better habits.

Examples of Three Habits Francis Bacon Encouraged

Throughout his work, The Essays, Francis Bacon referenced a number of good habits to form.  We extracted the most prominent three habits he endorsed.

1. Habit of Curiosity and Continual Learning, Intellect Development
2. Habit of Venturing Into the Unknown, Traveling
3. Habit of Unwinding With a Hobby, Gardening

Habit of Curiosity and Continual Learning, Intellect Development

Histories make men wise;

Poets witty;

the Mathematics subtill;

Natural Philosophy deepe;

Morall grave;

Logick and Rhetorick able to contend.  

Abeunt studia in mores (Studies change into habits) – Francis Bacon

The habit of developing your intellect is an invaluable habit to cultivate.  Francis Bacon famously said that your studies turn into habits.  Therefore spend time developing your knowledge of history, mathematics, philosophy, rhetoric, ethics, poetry, etc.

The habit of continual learning can be developed by taking the time to read or listen to books, articles, and podcasts on topics that interest you.

In addition to expanding your knowledge base, this habit can also help improve critical thinking skills and foster creativity.  Developing a habit of intellectual growth can also involve engaging in conversations with people who have different perspectives on a given topic, learning new skills, and challenging yourself to think outside the box.

Use What You Learned

  Crafty man contemne Studies; simple men admire them: and wise men use them.

  Francis Bacon

Francis Bacon added a warning to the habit of intellect development.  Don’t just hoard the information you learn; use it. 

Using the knowledge that you have acquired is an important habit to develop, in addition to developing the intellect.  With knowledge comes power, and using this power wisely can have a positive impact on your life.

Knowledge has the potential to open up new opportunities and help you reach goals that may have seemed unattainable in the past.

Use what you learn!

Habit of Venturing Into Unknown, Traveling

  Travaile, in the younger sort, is a part of education; in the elder, a part of experience.

  Francis Bacon

The habit of venturing into the unknown is a wonderful habit to cultivate.  This means trying new things, meeting new people, and being open to new experiences.  Traveling meets all of the criteria listed.  Francis Bacon devoted a whole essay to the topic of traveling.

Exploring new places and cultures can be an enriching experience that opens up your perspective on the world.  It can also provide valuable life lessons and help you become more aware of different perspectives.

Habit of Unwinding With a Hobby, Gardening

  God Almightie first planted a Garden.  And indeed, it is the purest of humane pleasures.

  Francis Bacon

The habit of unwinding with a hobby is an important habit to cultivate.  It is extremely rewarding for self-development and relaxation.  Francis Bacon chose gardening as his way to unwind with a hobby. 

Gardening can provide stress relief and relaxation benefits that can help reduce anxiety and improve overall well-being.  It can also provide an opportunity for creative self-expression and foster a connection with nature.

You do not need to begin gardening, per se, but developing a hobby that makes you happy and relaxed is a great habit to pursue.

Download a FREE Habit Tracker Template

Whether it’s habit development in:

• Curiosity and Continual Learning, Intellect Development
• Venturing Into the Unknown, Traveling
• Unwinding With a Hobby, Gardening

Habit development and habit tracking can be powerful tools for personal growth.  Habit trackers provide an organized way to monitor progress toward habit goals and objectives, allowing users to modify or adjust their habit practices as needed.  They allow you to reflect on your habit journey and take stock of where you are currently.  This allows you to identify areas that need improvement, celebrate successes, and make necessary changes to reach your habit goals.

Download the FREE habit tracker template to begin your habit development journey.

Effluo habit tracker template has the following attributes:

• Daily habit tracker – allows you to keep track of the habits daily
• Circle habit tracker – helps you see the progress in one view
• Undated habit tracker – gives you the control of when you want to begin your habit

Feel free to download and reuse this habit template on ongoing basis. Simply download the PDF and print it out. Our Effluo Habit Tracker Template is designed using 21 day cycle. The 21 day cycle has been proven to be a good amount of time to establish a habit. It is undated, therefore you can begin at any time.

Of note, 21 days is a good amount of time to solidify a habit, but do not stop tracking your habits after 21 days. Continue to track the habit until it becomes second nature to you, this will take longer.

Summary Of Habit Development

As you continue on your journey to developing new habits keep the following learnings from Francis Bacon in mind.

1. Stay Consistent
2. Schedule in Regular Breaks
3. Break Down Big Habits
4. Use Reminders
5. Review Your Progress Using a Habit Tracker Template
6. Celebrate Your Successes

At Effluo, habit tracking is an integral part of achieving success.  Our planners incorporate habit tracking template as part of the goal achievement journey. 

Latest posts