How to get insight on yourself?

Tools for personal analytics

By Gene Leybzon

Personal Informatics

“Personal informatics is a class of tools that help people collect personally relevant information for the purpose of self-reflection and self-monitoring“[from http://www.personalinformatics.org/]

What we want to know?

• Common behavior• Habits• Thoughts• Feelings

Why? (Motivation)

• To improve health– Cure or manage health condition – Achieve a specific goal– Find triggers

• To improve quality of life– Maximize performance– Mindfulness

• To find new experiences

How?

Data Collection

Data Analysis

Data Visualization

Notification

Data Collection

• Sensors (Fitbit, WiFi-scale, heart rate monitor)• Spreadsheets • Applications (including mobile apps)• Pen and paper• Web sites

Sensors and Devices• Activity Monitors

– FitBit– Nike+ Fuel Band– Pebble

• Sleep monitors– Lark– WakeMate

• Diet– FirBit Aria scale– MyFitnessPal

• Mood• Other

– 23andMe (genetic)– WorkMeter– OmniCOntext

Data Analysis

• Statistical software• Mathematica• Custom apps for data analysis

Visualizations

• Web sites– Fitbit– ZAO– Quantified Mind

• Excel • Applications

Quantified Self Mobile apps