What is the xeffect?

The xeffect is a method for building new habits that was popularized by Reddit user u/kaizen_loop. It involves creating a grid or chart with rows and columns representing the days and the habit you want to develop respectively. Each day that the habit is successfully executed, a cross or mark is placed in the corresponding cell on the chart. The goal is to maintain this streak of crosses for 21-30 days, which is said to help establish the habit as part of your routine. The xeffect relies on the psychological principle of reinforcement, which suggests that positive experiences (i.e. marks in the chart) help reinforce desired behaviors and increase the likelihood of them becoming automatic. The xeffect method can be applied to a wide range of behaviors, including exercise, meditation, journaling, and even quitting smoking or consuming less alcohol.