Reflections about learning habits while editing the book "Habits of Success"

I'm struggling with my own habits while editing the Spanish version translation of "Habits of Success" (a book about behavioral science applied to teaching and learning) by Harry Fletcher-Wood.

I have identified specific habits I want to develop/improve ( this is the first step of the changing road that Harry suggests) and value (2nd step: motivate and inspire action). But I also came across big challenges that have slowed my goals. While doing this work with the book, I'm thinking about which are those specific habits and challenges I have encountered:

Habit to develop: keep learning English.

- Challenge: going further with my English learning.

- Obstacles: sometimes I feel I have so much to learn that it feels overwhelming, and I start to do something else instead.

- Idea to overcome the challenge and obstacles:

Specify what skills I want to improve, how, and when.

What skill: written English (just one for now).

What is fundamental for developing this skill now? Studying more diverse vocabulary and for long-term learning.

Break in this skill: studying vocabulary (because it is essential for preventing working memory overload when reading, speaking, and listening). I need to be even more specific to improve the likelihood of concreting the actions. So, how will I do it? I have two methods in mind that I sometimes use, but I need more structure to sustain them.

How 1: improve my written English by studying vocabulary using flashcards (Anki app) (using retrieval practice and registering new words I find).

When 1: 5-10 minutes when moving to the office (subway).

When 2: Define a time to read English books (in addition to those I read for my work- for finding different vocabulary, not just the "technical" one I use to read). 20-10 minutes before sleep (at least twice a week for starting the habit).

How 2: Register new words in Anki flashcards when I find one (and include the decoding details for practicing orally)

3rd step. Plan the change: Writing this helps me to plan the actions I want to concrete.

4th step. Make starting easy. Change step by step. For example, start with a few things (like vocabulary and related to specific actions).

When: I'm trying to take advantage of specific moments (that always happen) that can help me as "prompts" to act. For example, I could read a book during breakfast or dinner instead of watching TV or playing video games.

How: changing an action I already do as a routine (watching TV) for another (reading a book).

5th step. Follow-up. I need to keep these actions for the long term.

How: Compare how I write through time (I use an app that helps me with that). Define rewards If I do what I have defined (like watching TV or playing video games once I complete specific tasks).

As Harry wrote (p. 61):

This kind of planning can make a big difference for one-off tasks – but making plans has short-lived effects, particularly for goals which require ongoing effort. If we want students to act – and keep going – we need to make initiating action easy for them (Chapter 4) and help them turn isolated success into a habit (Chapter 5).

Well, by writing this post, I have done something I also want to do: write this kind of publication more periodically. So, now I deserve a reward!