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Just read about an article on habit tracking from Justin @EffectiveRemote (I assume he's the one behind this, isn't he?) and would really like to put in my 2 cents. One thing he mentioned was that he stopped tracking his habit because the mental pressure it brings.
I totally get it; I too have been building mega streaks non-stop and then got blown by just the tiniest obstacle. It sucks, no argument there; but isn't that the point?
I mean, isn't the whole purpose of habit building to automate a process to your goal, so your mind doesn't have to constantly think about pursuing that goal? At least to my understanding, going into that "mindless checking off boxes" state is exactly what I want:
I can focus on completing what the box is asking for today, and only for today. I don't have to worry about anything beyond that because I have offloaded this worrying part to the habit tracking system, and all that left for me is to tick off every single box.
I would even argue that the habit formed is what counts, and reaching the goal is just a wonderful by-product. Of course, I am not saying that we should just follow the lead of the app blindly; all of this automation must be calibrated constantly with weekly/monthly reviews.
But that's another phase; in the execution phase, "mindless" is what I am after. On the other hand, habit building IS painful; we are internalizing something that we don't originally possess, and that's against our nature!
I mean, no matter how others beautify it, I would just bluntly admit it: I hate these habits because habits are not what I want! I don't want a habit of writing, I want to be heard! I don't want a habit of working out, I want a beach body!
Heck, I want 8 packs and I want people paying me for that! ...well, you get the idea. Of course the desire to pursue the habit will be gone with the incentives because the desire was never the habit itself. At lease for me it was the case.
All I can do is to forgive and give myself a pat on the back and acknowledge that I am just a ordinary guy with an average or maybe even lesser will power and it's totally OK to play another round of Diablo 3 before start that streak fresh tomorrow 
