Track your progress as you learn something new with Better Every Time app

Better Every Time 3I am big on crafting and do-it-yourself projects. If there is one think I’ve learned from my many attempts to create handmade stuff, it is that practice is the key to getting better. I fail nearly every time I try something new. However, by the third or fourth attempt, I’ve improved greatly.

Better Every Time is a journaling app that makes it easy for you to track your progress when attempting to get better at something. As you work at it, record what happens so that you will know what not to do the next time around…

Design

I don’t actually keep any kind of journal. I spend no less than eight hours per day writing thousands of words. The last thing I want to do before bed is to write more. Normally, I would have passed up an app like this. However, I was immediately drawn in by the interesting graphics, so I decided to look into it further. I’m glad I did.

Instead of being a boring old journaling app that only offers faux book paper or minimalistic writing options, this app looks like a game that might involve something cute climbing a mountain riding on the back of something equally as cute. It’s not, but it looks like it.

As you add new notes on the progress of your project, a new section of the journey opens up and you can swipe back to view older notes. Every time you open the app, a new progress signpost appears. If you don’t have anything new to write, be sure to tap the big “X” within three seconds of opening the app or a new signpost will be added and you’ll have to manually delete it.

The more notes you add, the longer the road to success gets. Each new signpost is added with an entirely different backdrop. As you progress, it will appear that you are traveling up the mountainside. The grass will grow greener and more trees will appear. Eventually, you will reach the top of the mountain.

Better Every Time 1App Use

The point of this app, as noted by its name, is to help you get better at doing something by practicing it. Pick something you want to get better at, and set it as your goal. Then, use the app to track your progress by noting every time you practice.

For example, I’ve recently decided I am going to learn how to make Macarons. The French confections are like the Mount Everest of baking and I’m determined to conquer them.

Using Better Every Time, I can set a goal to practice the process by baking a batch once per month until I get it right. Every time I bake a batch, I can write down my experience, note where I think I went wrong or right, and take pictures of my results.

According to the app, getting better at something takes 21 attempts. I’m not sure where that number comes from. But, based on that belief, I’ll have to practice making Macarons twice per month in order to be good enough to bake a perfect batch of them for Christmas, which is my ultimate goal.

To get started, Tap “Start a Journey.” You will be asked to enter your goal. “I’m going to get Better at:” enter your objective, like skiing or singing, or whatever you want to improve upon.

Then, enter the recurrence you think best fits your abilities. Don’t, for example, claim that you will make Macarons seven times per week. That is way too much work. You’ll be exhausted and won’t want to keep going. Instead, set a reasonable recurrence. You can set a goal between one and seven times per day or month.

Then, walk away from the app until you have completed your first attempt. When you open the app again, you’ll be able to add a note and a picture. It is probably not unlimited, but you can write quite a bit within your note section. The date and time that you created the note will be added.

If you want a visual note of your attempt, be sure to take a picture. I took pictures of the progress of a pair of gloves I was knitting and noted when I saw an issue that will need to be fixed when I try again.

Swipe upward on the screen to view older notes. You’ll see how far you’ve traveled along your journey to get better. Tap one of the signposts to see what you wrote for that particular check-in.

To revisit previous journeys, tap the small arrow at the top right of the screen. You will see old projects that you’ve completed or abandoned. You can see your progress or delete what you abandoned. To delete a journey, swipe it from right to left.

After you’ve checked in with your progress, close the app until you are ready to add a note again. After a few notes have been added, you’ll see that you are headed up the mountain on your journey.

Once you’ve practiced 21 times, you will be at the top of the mountain, and hopefully “Get Better” at whatever you wanted to improve at.

Better Every Time 2The Good

This is a very simple and easy to use project tracker. I regularly create or design crafts and sweets from scratch. This app makes it possible for me to note when I see my mistakes and successes so that, the next time I try something, I’ll know the way to do it better.

The Bad

You can only track one thing at a time. That just does not work for me. I always have at least three projects going at once. I’d really like to be able to keep track of multiple projects.

Value

Better Every Time is free to download. There are no advertisements, no in-app purchases for upgraded features, and no way to give the developer any money at all. That’s a refreshing change from apps and games that ask you to pay money after you’ve downloaded them for free.

Conclusion

This app isn’t for everyone. It doesn’t have a lot of features. It only does one thing. But, it does it well. It also looks great. If you are hoping to get better at something, whether it is running, learning a different language, or playing a video game, use Better Every Time to help you keep track of your progress in a good looking way. Download it in the App Store today.

Related Apps

Journaling is a daily journal app that syncs with DropBox and Google Drive. EveryTime lets you track the time you spend dealing with life events and issues.