The Hero’s Journey Reimagined
I spent years studying behavioral science — habit formation, motivation, and the psychology of change. I could explain the intricacies of implementation intentions, the power of identity-based habits, and the science behind gamification. I knew exactly what it took to build lasting behaviors.
And yet, my own life didn’t reflect that knowledge.
I devoured books and podcasts, took notes, and told myself I’d apply these principles. But my habit-tracking apps gathered dust, my journals filled up halfway before being abandoned, and my goals rarely made it past the “planning” phase. I knew what to do — I just wasn’t doing it.
Like me, many of you are seeking growth in some area — wanting to stretch your minds, challenge your bodies, and step into new possibilities. But how do we move from contemplation, from thinking “wouldn’t it be nice if…”, to actually building something new and taking the first step?
The Barriers to Meaningful Growth
I see a few major obstacles to genuine, sustained progress. As I wrote in my article The Audiobook Dilemma, we often consume information passively. Whether it’s podcasts, audiobooks, or social media, we take in plenty of useful insights — but we’re only half-listening. We rarely engage deeply enough to turn information into knowledge and knowledge into action.
My own endless consumption of information — paired with my inability to implement any of it — led me to wonder:
What if the information we consumed was directly tied to our lives?
What if, as we read something, we were prompted to immediately apply it?
Now, I know what you’re thinking. There are plenty of journals, workbooks, and habit-tracking apps out there. Many offer daily prompts and progress tracking, and help you apply your knowledge and foresight to your life. They should work.
But most of them don’t.
Why Most Habit-Tracking Tools Fail
Most self-improvement tools sound great in theory, but in practice, they fall flat. Here’s why:
1. They Lack a Compelling Narrative
Most habit-tracking systems feel like work. They ask you to set goals, track progress, and push yourself toward self-improvement. But without a deeper reason to stay engaged, they quickly become another chore — just another to-do list disguised as a life-changing system.
Think about the last time you got lost in a great novel. You weren’t forcing yourself to turn the page — you wanted to. What if a personal growth system felt that compelling?
2. They Lack Focus
Most habit-building tools encourage you to track everything — diet, exercise, career, relationships, mindfulness, and more. But change usually happens slowly and one area at a time.
What if there was a system that helped you focus on just one deeply meaningful area — one you truly felt called to change?
3. They Aren’t Designed for Real Life
Life happens. You miss a few days. You get busy. And suddenly, your carefully planned habit tracker is mocking you with unfinished tasks. You feel like you’ve fallen behind, so you quit altogether.
A good system should encourage consistency without punishing imperfection. What if there was a product that gently welcomed you back, instead of making you feel like you failed?
4. They Don’t Feel Meaningful or Magical
The human mind has the power to set a goal and reshape reality around it. That’s the closest thing we have to magic. A single thought can spark a movement, create a business, or send people to the moon.
But most habit-building tools don’t treat this process with the awe it deserves.
What if a system made personal growth feel like magic — celebrating progress, infusing the experience with ritual and meaning, and making change feel magical rather than like a chore?
5. They Assume One-Size-Fits-All
Most self-improvement tools follow a rigid structure — enter your goals, track your habits, follow the system. But no two people are alike.
Some thrive on structure; others need flexibility. Some respond to external accountability; others need inner motivation.
What if a system encouraged experimentation? What if you could try different strategies — goal-setting techniques, habit-stacking, accountability structures — and adapt them based on what actually worked for you?
Reimagining Habit Change as an Adventure
After years of struggling with these issues myself, I decided to create something different. Something that didn’t just tell you what to do, but invited you into an experience.
Enter: The Just Roll With It Journal.
This is no ordinary journal — it’s a choose-your-own-adventure RPG that blends behavioral science with storytelling, exploration, and hint of magic.
Here is how it works:
Step Into a Story
Your journey begins with a mystery.
You awaken in an unfamiliar realm, with no memory of how you got there. A fellow traveler tells you that a great darkness has corrupted the land — and that you might hold the key to defeating it.
Each day, you move to a new location on the map, uncovering story-driven encounters and challenges. Some require you to roll dice to determine outcomes, while others introduce behavioral science principles (“spells”) to apply in real life.
Choose Your Focus
At the start of your journey, you choose a Hero — a character whose strengths align with an area of life you want to improve.
Creativity — Build consistency in your creative pursuits.
Fitness — Improve physical strength and resilience.
Balance — Develop mindfulness and emotional well-being.
Entrepreneurship — Strengthen your focus and strategic thinking.
Instead of tracking everything, you focus on 1–3 daily actions tied to your chosen path. Progress feels achievable, not overwhelming.
Cast Spells, Not Just Checklists
The journal relies heavily on creating a compelling sense of magic. It frames every science-based principle you learn as a spell. You cast these spells upon yourself and the creatures of the realm to influence how you pursue your calling and effect in-game events. Casting these spells requires moments of pause, reflection, and intentionality, creating a sense of ritual and meaning. The realm is suffused with magic and encourages you to see your process of transformation for the magic it really is.
Progress at Your Own Pace, In Your Own Way
The journal rewards consistency, not perfection. There are bonuses for consecutive use, but missing a few days doesn’t reset your progress. Instead of punishing you for stepping away, the system makes it easy to jump back in whenever you’re ready.
Each character has an arcanum: a set of spells that they are encouraged to master throughout the journey. However, while there is guidance and recommended ways to apply these spells, you can choose what to focus on and explore. You can experiment, try out different spells, and figure out which ones actually help you change behavior. To progress, you don’t need to master any of these spells, but you do need to learn and experiment.
The Adventure Begins Soon…
I’ve tried to build something truly different — a system that beckons you into an adventure, keeps the experience alive and joyful, and helps you step into the person you’ve always felt was just within reach.
The Just Roll With It Journal is launching on Kickstarter soon. If this sounds intriguing, I’d love for you to join the journey:
Thank you for engaging with these ideas — I hope to see you on this adventure!
