1. Introduction: The Illusion of Instant Success
“We often overestimate how much we can do in a day, but we underestimate how much we can achieve in a year.”
When I read the Atomic Habits book, my thinking changed. Earlier I used to think that the result of hard work should be seen immediately. If you are working hard, then you should also see the result – otherwise the motivation goes down. But this book gave me a new perspective.
James Clear explained a concept called “Valley of Disappointment” – meaning that phase where we are constantly working, but progress is not visible.
The graph is such that initially the line is straight – there is no growth, everything seems flat. But after a while the curve suddenly rises up – which is called breakthrough.
This is that phase where most people give up, think that “nothing is happening” and give up in the middle. But those who do not stop, one day reach that point where all the efforts yield results.
🪄This is the real magic – of patience and consistency!
Let’s talk more deeply about this valley in the next section.
2. The Valley of Disappointment: A Common trap
Imagine you are working hard everyday – waking up in the morning and studying, planning, goal setting, everything…But even after a week the result is the same. No improvement in marks, no visible progress. The same doubt in the mind:
“Am I doing the right thing?”
“Will all this work or am I just wasting time?”
This is the “Valley of Disappointment.”
This is a phase where we put in a lot of effort, but the result is not visible.
The mind says – “Just leave it, nothing is going to happen.”
And this is where many people give up.
But the one who stops loses. The one who stops a little more wins.
🎯 My Own Experience
When I was preparing for competitive exams, I also went through this valley.
There were days when I could not understand what I was studying…
I was making notes, but I was not remembering anything.
Sometimes I felt that all the people around me are ahead of me, and I am just trying without any result. Here one important thing was that I was not trying to change myself. Everything was looking new. Those who were preparing with me, used to take 3 hours to complete a chapter but it used to take me 1 week to complete it. My competition was with myself.
And a small line always gave me courage:
“Just keep doing it, whether you understand something or not. If you are tired then stop, but don’t quit.”
And the same thing happened – gradually clarity started coming, confidence came and one day that also came when the result was in my favor. Consistency made me win.
🐢🐇 Story which never gets old
Everyone has heard a story in childhood – about a rabbit and a tortoise.
The rabbit was fast, but overconfident too. He took the race lightly. The tortoise was slow, but consistent. That became the reason for his victory.
“The rabbit may be fast, but the tortoise wins – if it doesn’t stop.”
In real life too, we all think like the rabbit sometimes – we want quick results.
But the one who wins is the one who takes small steps daily, without stopping.
In the next part I will share with you another strategy of mine – which became a game changer for me: Habit Score System.
🧠 3. My Secret Weapon: The Habit Score
There is a strategy behind every victory. For me, that strategy is the Habit Score System.
I got this idea from Atomic Habits, but I customized it to suit my needs — what I call the “Game of Growth.”
🎮 How does Habit Score work?
I track my daily tasks — tasks that are connected to my long-term or short-term goals have a positive score.
And tasks that are time-wasters — distractions, overthinking, unnecessary social media — have a negative score.
👉 +1, +2, +3 — When I do something productive, like waking up at 5:45 in the morning +1, if I wake up at 5:30 then +2, 30 minutes meditation +1, completing work on time or before that +1 etc.
👉 -1, -2 — When I do goal-less or time-wasting work, like waking up after 11 pm at night without any reason -1, not reaching college on time -1, wasting time in gossiping -1 etc.
When my total score reaches 100, then I give myself a reward – like watching my favourite movie, eating a special dish or planning an outing.
“It feels earned… and that makes it special.”
🧠 What does this system give me?
✅ Self-Awareness: I know where I am spending my time.
✅ Gamification: Life becomes a game — and I enjoy increasing my points!
✅ Motivation: When I get my reward, I don’t feel guilty — because I have worked hard to win.
📊 Sample Table — Habit Score Tracker
| Action | Score |
| Reading self help book or learn new education related tool | +1 for 30 minutes |
| Helped a student | +1 |
| Mindless scrolling 30 mins | -1 |
| Watched a motivational video | +1 |
| Missed morning routine | -2 |
| Read 5 pages of a book | +1 |
🧾 Tip: If you want, you can write this system in your diary or use an Excel sheet or app and customize it according to your needs.
In the next section we will talk about the real secret of consistency and how you too can start your own Habit Score System to track your journey.
4. Why This System Works
When you follow a system like Habit Score, you are not just passing time – you are designing your future. This system seems like a simple game, but its impact is deep. Let us understand how:
✅ A. Positive Reinforcement
When you see +1, +2 score… then you feel a little happy.
That happiness says – “Yes, you are going in the right direction.”
And this feeling becomes motivation for the next step.
Progress = Motivation = Consistency
⏳ B. Delayed Gratification
This system teaches you that you don’t get a sweet reward immediately, you have to work hard first. You learn both discipline and patience – which is the secret of every successful person. “First work hard, then enjoy.” This formula takes your thinking to the next level.
🪞 C. Self-Accountability
The best part of this system is that you become your own coach. You decide for yourself what should be the score of your actions. No one else judges – you decide for yourself whether you deserved the reward or not. Your every action is a signal: “Who do I want to become?”
💡 A line by James Clear that fits perfectly here:
“Every action you take is a vote for the person you want to become.”
Every small good habit, every avoidance of -1 — brings you closer to the person you want to become.
In the next and final section we will talk about how you can create your own Habit Score System, and you will also get some bonus tips for teachers, students, and professionals.
5. Tips to Create Your Own Habit Score System
Now it’s time for action. If you also want to apply the Habit Score system in your life, here are some simple and practical tips that I have tested myself:
🎯 A. Clear your goals (short-term and long-term) The first step is clarity – you should know what you want to achieve. Whether it is to crack GPAT, become a good teacher, or develop a habit of daily exercise – if the goal is clear, it will be easy to assign a score. “If the destination is not clear, then the map has no meaning.”
📅 B. Make a Tracker – Daily or Weekly
You can use a simple notebook, or Google Sheets, or a habit tracker app (like Habitica, Loop etc.).
Writing down scores at the end of every day or every week becomes a good reflection.
Pro Tip: Use color codes or emojis to make it fun and visual!
🤝 C. Be honest – every -1 teaches something
Sometimes we lie to ourselves. But in this system, honesty is the biggest superpower.
If you wasted time — don’t be afraid of writing a -1.
That -1 will make you disciplined the next day. “Every negative score is also a teacher.”
🎁 D. Choose rewards that uplift, not distract
Rewards should be those that energize you, inspire you, and not those that waste your time.
Movie, favourite food, tea time with friends — but all these only when you genuinely feel that you have “earned” it.
🧠 Bonus Tip for Teachers & Professionals:
You can also create a team-based habit scoring system for your students/employees. Collective score according to the team’s goal — and when the milestone is hit, then group reward! This promotes both teamwork and ownership.
✨ Final Thought
There is no shortcut to success in life — but a +1 every day, an honest -1 for every mistake,
together make you a better version of yourself.
Your Habit Score is your mirror — which shows who you are becoming, and in which direction you are moving.
If you liked this blog, then definitely try out your Habit Score System — and let me know in a comment or email what your first reward was! 😄
