I use a popular language learning app every day. Theoretically, I’m learning Spanish.
In reality, I spend five minutes daily clicking through exercises in order to keep my streak going. Am I getting better at Spanish?
Or am I getting better at these exercises?
Or am I just feeling good because I satisfy an app for another day?
What I really need to be asking myself is: What am I using the app for? Do I want to be able to read, write, and speak Spanish fluently? If so, is this daily five minutes getting me closer to that goal, or am I simply checking the box of “learning a language”?
I want to be aware of “checking the box” behaviors. They’re not leading me to my goals and they waste time and resources.
What “checking the box” behaviors do you or your organization participate in? Are they worth continuing?
