If you ever came across with one of my posts about how I always break my habit of learning a new language through Duolingo after 90 days of streak, then, I am glad to say that I am on my 420-day streak! Woohoo! *insert confetti here* it was not easy but I am seeing a strategy of how I can build new good habits through what that platform is doing.

Here are some strategies that I would like test with:

1. No more than 2-days of not doing the habit.

In Duolingo, you usually have two freeze power for any two days you did not do the lesson for some reason that you usually made *ouch* and I am guilty with that. This is about that principle of not doing any habit for more than 2 days will cause you to lose that habit. So, I will try not to idle my habit for 2 days.

2. Allocating even 2 minutes of your time on doing that habit.

Each lesson in Duolingo if you chose the correct level of your literacy will not take more than 2 minutes of your time. It looks like the combination of the 2-minute rule and accumulation of small things consistently resulting to greater achievement. Because, usually, the most difficult thing about building a good habit is starting it and being consistent on doing that specific habit.

3. Do the habit everyday before midnight as much as possible.

We all have 24 hours in our day. Imagine that you are Cinderella trying to beat that 12mn deadline for that habit but the difference would be Cinderella’s stuff go back to their original form but you will not if you will allocate some time before you sleep for that habit. In Duolingo, you have until midnight to do the lesson everyday so why not do it in that new habit?

4. Find a way to see your progress.

It is easy to imagine that you have been doing the habit for 10 consecutive days but tracking it will hit differently. Duolingo will shade the days that you did your lessons and notify you of your streak which for me was rewarding. Writing your progress is empowering so whether it is weekly, or yearly in digital or physical form, track it. Document your progress and be empowered.

5. It is now or never, stop making excuses.

When you start your journey of learning a language in Duolingo, in the first few days your brain will trick you by telling you to go back to your old habit by telling you several excuses like ‘I am too busy to get a lesson today’ or ‘I will just restart tomorrow but then again, 2-3 minutes of your time will not take your half day and tomorrow is not promised.

6. If you lose your streak, go back and prove that you are worthy to pick up where you left off.

Before I got into my 420-day streak in Duolingo, I went through #5 – making up excuses or always telling myself that I will do it later until I get to several days of not doing a lesson and losing my 200+ days streak but the app allowed me to get back that streak by doing a long lesson which I did but I do not recommend getting to this point especially with habits.

7. Repeat 1-5 and try your best to not go back to #6.

Once you get the boat starting, you will just keep sailing. At this point, it is easy for me to get my phone and do a lesson in Duolingo everyday and feels like something is missing in my day if I do not. Building a habit is like getting out of an addiction. It takes blood and sweat. It does not happen overnight. It is a result of a cumulative and consistent effort going back and forth from tactic #1 to #5.

I have visited Omaha Zoo thrice and it still amazes me how beautiful and diverse the animals in this zoo – from reptiles to nocturnal animals from across the world will leave you in awe.

The cost of the ticket for adults (ages 12 and above) is $31.95. Because I grew up in a low-cost country, this price is too expensive for a zoo entrance fee. But, then, remember that this is in the US, particularly in Nebraska so it is for me relatively cheaper if compared to other high-cost of living states. If you visit Omaha, Nebraska by any chance and have a day or even half of a day, you will need to go to this zoo!

The best part of the zoo for me is the aquarium and butterfly house. But, then, I love the ocean and butterflies so this is bias. LOL. You can also get to touch the stingrays by paying an extra $5.

If you do not like the heat, although you will see more animals, do not go during the peak of summer season because it may be very very hot. But if you do not mind, you will get to witness more animals especially those that like heat. But, I will highly recommend early spring or early autumn. The chilly weather makes it enjoyable to walk around. Close to Christmas time, although very cold, they have this light shows at night that is very entertaining (but you have to buy a different ticket for this).

I do not want to spoil you if you bumped into this post but below are glimpses of the zoo:

Say hi to Patrick star!

Fly! Fly! Fly! Like a butterfly!

Flamin’ flamingo.

You can bring food and drinks inside. There are also stalls that sell food and ice cream that get very very busy during lunch time and you will have to wait in line for 10-20 minutes so make sure to plan your day well.