u/Hit_Wiry417 — reddlx

I’m approaching this from a business/ROI mindset, so I care less about what feels good and more about what produces consistent output.

Couple of questions for people here who study daily:

Apps vs no apps If you had to quantify it, how much do apps like spaced repetition tools, trackers, or focus timers actually improve your results? Not motivation, not "feels productive", but measurable retention or output.
Diminishing returns At what point does optimizing your system (trying new apps, tweaking workflows) become a net negative vs just doing the work?
Habit structure Do you rely on strict routines (same time, same structure daily), or more flexible volume targets (e.g. X hours or X units per week)? Which one proved more resilient long term?
Friction What’s the biggest friction point you’ve eliminated that had a noticeable impact? Example: reducing setup time, simplifying tools, removing decisions, etc.
Drop-off patterns For those who’ve been consistent 6+ months, what usually causes people to fall off despite having "good systems"?

I’m trying to identify what actually moves the needle vs what just looks optimized on paper.

Would appreciate concrete examples, not general advice.