Expanding My Productivity

The Striide Cycle in Practice

Read more about Striide

​​

When I designed Striide, I built it around a reinforcing loop:

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​​

​

​

​

​

​

 

 

 

September’s data shows this cycle at work.

 

• Blue line (Activity Levels): The number of tasks I tracked and completed scaled up steadily through the month.
   

• Red area (Late Completions): Despite the increase in volume, overdue tasks fell sharply by month’s end.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

 

 

 

In other words: I did more, but fewer things slipped through the cracks. So how did I leverage my new system to both manage this and track it?

 

Step 1: Intentionality (Journal)

 

Each day begins with journaling in Striide — setting intentions and mapping what matters. Research shows that intentionality is more important than willpower:

• The SMARTFAMILY mHealth trial (Wunsch et al., 2020) found that specific goal-setting combined with digital tracking improved both physical activity and dietary quality. Striide mirrors this principle by letting me write precise goals in the Journal and immediately link them to tasks. While they aren't always food related, sometimes I do make that an emphasis (i.e., "Make a 3 healthy meals at home today")
   

• Tam et al. (2010) demonstrated that “implementation intentions” (if-then plans) outperform vague goals in changing behavior (e.g., reducing unhealthy snacking). My journaling practice works the same way. It's not “I’ll try to work out,” but “At 5 pm, I’ll lift for 70 minutes.”
   

 

Step 2: Behavior Initiation (Tasks)

​

Intentions feed directly into tasks. This is where abstract goals become concrete. Each item created in Striide is a commitment with a due date, category, and (importantly) a measurable output.

• According to White et al. (2019), quantified-self frameworks help people see how their behaviors across domains (calories, sleep, work time, mood) interrelate. By task-tracking, I see not just what I did, but how it relates to energy and focus later.
   

 

Step 3: Measured Output (Task Tracking)

​

Completions, streaks, and overdue counts are tracked automatically. This provides a clear reality check: did I follow through?

• Maltseva & Lutz (2018) found that self-quantification increases self-awareness and motivation by making the invisible visible. Striide’s output metrics keep me accountable.

• Note: I can also see if I edited / moved a due-date for a Task, which helps enhance accountability.
   

 

Step 4: Sleep, Mood, and Energy (Whoop + Journal)

​

Performance isn’t just about pure output, it's also about managing that with recovery and sleep. If I stayed up through the night to just get my task list done, that wouldn't necessarily promote the sustainable balance I'm going for. Striide leveraged the Whoop API for sleep data and supplements it with mood/energy reflections in the Journal.

• Alsaggaf et al. (2016) showed medical students with poor sleep had higher stress and lower performance, but intentional sleep structuring mitigated this.

  • This feels like a "no duh" conclusion, but still helpful to see in research​
     

• Mairs & Mullan (2015) found that self-monitoring and intentional planning improved sleep hygiene more than planning alone. This mirrors how I combine Whoop metrics with daily reflections.
   

• Newer work by Butterworth (2025) shows that sleep quality predicts identity strength and productivity — exactly what I see in my cycle: better sleep -> clearer self-identity -> more consistent follow-through.
   

 

Step 5: Cognition & Self-Identity (Reflection)

​

At the end of the day, Striide asks: Did I accomplish what I set out to do?

This closes the loop between intention and identity.

• Howell & Buro (2011) linked mindfulness and intentional awareness with achievement-related behaviors and positive emotions. Reflection helps me reinforce that connection.
   

 

Step 6: Reinforced Intentionality (The Loop)

​

Because I see my intentions, actions, and results tied together in data, I wake up the next day with sharper clarity. The cycle seems to compound (thus far).

 

General Conclusion:

​

The September trend line is proof:

• Activities scaled up (blue line rising).

• Late completions fell (red area shrinking).
   

The research explains why: intentionality plus tracking, feedback, and reflection form a virtuous cycle. Striide operationalizes this, helping me do more without losing balance.

​

As I expand months of data and usage, I can continue to reinforce strong behaviors and hopefully mitigate poor behaviors with a better understanding of my overall optimal self.