Tracking Habits and Behaviors: The Pros and Cons of Hoarding
Summary
In this article, we explore the benefits and drawbacks of hoarding personal data in an attempt to track behaviors and habits over time. The discussion centers around a biennial report created by the author where he attempted to document every place he went along with the people he was with. The report is color-coded to show the overlap between his habits and behaviors over two years.
Table of Contents
- The Biennial Report: Tracking Every Move
- The Downsides of Hoarding: Costs and Interference
- Analyzing Behaviors: End of Year Tally
- Balancing Personal Data and Life
Introduction
Keeping track of your habits and behaviors can be a useful way to see patterns and make changes in your life. However, the question of how to track and hoard such data poses challenges both for the record keeper and the people involved. In this Q&A, we delve into a case study of a biennial report created by the author that tracks his every move, and examine the pros and cons of hoarding personal data.
The Biennial Report: Tracking Every Move
Q: What is the biennial report, and what inspired you to create it?
A: The biennial report is a record of every place I went over the course of two years, along with the people I was with. The goal was to track and capture my habits and behaviors without interfering with my life. I was inspired to create the report as a way to document where I liked to go with my girlfriend or my best friend, and to have a detailed record of my habits when I visited different places.
Q: How did you create the report, and what data did it include?
A: I tracked my movements on a calendar and color-coded them to represent different years – blue for 2010 and magenta for 2011. The report also includes pie charts to evaluate my different behaviors, both alone and with others. For example, there is a detailed chart that shows the places I visited on the left side of the US with my girlfriend, and on the right side with my best friend. The yarn connecting all these places shows the overlap in our habits and behaviors.
Q: What insights did you gain from the report, and did it serve its purpose?
A: Through the report, I was able to see patterns and overlap in my behaviors that I wouldn’t have noticed otherwise. It achieved its purpose of tracking my habits and behaviors, and gave me a better understanding of my life routines. Having this information also allowed me to adapt and make changes to my habits where necessary.
The Downsides of Hoarding: Costs and Interference
Q: What are some of the downsides of hoarding personal data, and how did you overcome them?
A: The biggest downside of hoarding personal data is the time and effort it takes to create and maintain a record. The costs of this effort may outweigh the potential benefits. It’s also challenging to record behaviors without interfering with daily life. To overcome these downsides, I tried to develop methods that didn’t interfere with my life, and I only analyzed the data at the end of the year to avoid spending too much time tracking my behaviors.
Q: In what ways can hoarding personal data be intrusive or invasive to the people involved?
A: Hoarding personal data can be intrusive to those involved as their behaviors and movements are being closely documented without their input or knowledge. There is also a question of privacy and who has access to this information. For example, the author’s girlfriend might not have been comfortable with him tracking their movements together without her input.
Analyzing Behaviors: End of Year Tally
Q: What is the benefit of analyzing behaviors at the end of the year rather than in real-time?
A: Analyzing behaviors at the end of the year allows you to look at the bigger picture and see patterns that may have gone unnoticed otherwise. In real-time, it might be difficult to discern patterns or to make meaning of them. Analyzing behaviors at the end of the year also allows for more efficient use of time and resources.
Q: How can insights gained from personal behavior tracking be utilized?
A: Understanding your habits and behaviors can help you make decisions that are more aligned with your goals – whether it’s making healthier choices or spending more time with loved ones. Personal behavior tracking can also help identify negative patterns or triggers that need to be addressed.
Balancing Personal Data and Life
Q: What is your advice for individuals who want to track their habits and behaviors without interfering with their lives?
A: My advice is to find methods that don’t require too much effort or time, and don’t interfere with daily life. For example, using an app to track steps or food intake can be a less invasive way to track behaviors. It’s also important to communicate the reasons for tracking behaviors with loved ones to avoid any discomfort or resentment. Lastly, be mindful of the potential downsides of hoarding personal data, and weigh the costs against the potential benefits.
Conclusion
Tracking personal habits and behaviors can be a useful tool for personal growth and development. However, hoarding personal data can be intrusive, time-consuming, and costly. Finding a balance between tracking personal data and living life is key to effectively utilizing the insights gained and avoiding negative effects on personal relationships.
