Know When to Use Projects and When to Build Habits

Distinguishing between projects and habits is crucial for goal success. Researchers in goal theory note that projects have defined scopes, deadlines, and deliverablessuch as “launch a website by October.” Habits, by contrast, are repeated actions without a set finish line, like “meditate every morning for 10 minutes.”

When we treat a habit like a project, we risk burnout by focusing only on the end result. Conversely, turning a project into a loose habit can lead to drift and missed deadlines. The solution is to apply different planning tactics: projects need milestone mapping and time-bound tasks; habits thrive on tracking streaks and time triggers that cue automatic responses.

Take student Alex, who wanted to earn a certification by December. He set the project deadline first and then created a habit goal of studying for 30 minutes at 7 p.m. on weekdays. He used a simple calendar chain to monitor his study habit and milestone quizzes each month to track his project progress. This dual strategy kept him both on track and motivated.

By recognizing these two goal types and applying their distinct frameworks, you optimize the brain’s reward and motivation systems to match the nature of the taskwhether a one-time launch or an ongoing practice.

Start by labeling each goal as either a one-off project or an ongoing habit. Assign deadlines to your projects and set clear start times, frequencies, and streak targets for your habits. Use a calendar or digital tracker to mark off tasks or check daily actions. Celebrate each project milestone and habit streak to keep motivation high. Try organizing your next three goals using this dual approach.