I've read a lot of books on changing behavior and building habits and James Clear's Atomic Habits is my new favorite. This book is different from others in the way it covers an enormous amount of ground in the larger area of self-improvement while seamlessly tying all these ideas back into the central theme of habits.
One of the core concepts in Atomic Habits is to focus on the small improvement. The impact a 1% improvement per day can make may appear negligible at first, but Clear makes a compelling argument that in the case of habits, thinking small produces the biggest results over time. "Habits are the compound interest of self-improvement," explains Clear.
Over the months and years, the accumulated effect of small habitual daily behaviors is staggering. Early in the book we are also warned that this compounding works both ways, so we'd better make sure we're making it work in the positive direction, not for the negative.
This is a concept I was introduced to years ago under a different name - Kaizen - the Japanese term for continuous incremental improvement. What's different and new in this book is how the concept is applied specifically to building habits.
I found the information introduced in chapter two about behavior change at the identity level to be spot-on. You're also given a simple two-step process for changing your identity and this one idea alone is incredibly powerful.
In chapter three, we are introduced to the habit loop - cue, craving, response, reward - and we learn how to build good habits in 4 simple steps and break bad habits in 4 simple steps.
One of those steps to habit formation, which goes hand in hand with the 1% concept, is how to make it not only small, but easy. In the chapters that follow, this is exactly what you find out.
Other ideas of great value that stood out included, habit stacking (the best way to form a new habit), habit tracking, habit shaping and how to design your environment - physical and social - for habit building success. You learn the truth about self-control, how to stop procrastinating and how to use implementation intentions, temptation bundling and motivational rituals. The book is simply packed with actionable ideas, tactics and strategies.
Virtually every idea in the book is useful and resonated with me. While I may not agree that we should "forget about goals," I agree with one of Clear's core principles in the book - that we must develop systems for change. If we only focus on goals and don't develop systems and a focus on the process, we risk falling into a number of goal-related traps which ultimately lead to stagnation. With the right systems, we're rewarded with continuous improvement on a lifelong journey of success.
Another difference between Atomic Habits and other books in this genre is that while it's based on science it doesn't bog you down with unnecessary details of the research. Clear's book is intensely practical, giving you a huge toolkit of organized and named strategies you can apply immediately to create and strengthen positive habits and stop the negative ones.
The book is conversational, and includes many interesting stories, making it easy to read - and hard to put down (I read it cover to cover in one day).
It's possible this might become your most highlighted personal improvement book because every page is so chocked full of memorable and quotable gems of advice.
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Believe the hype
Atomic Habits by James Clear is probably the most famous book of this century. It is a fan favorite of most tech bros on the internet, and for good reason. James Clear maps out a concise plan to achieve and build your habits. His writing is approachable and engaging. He uses anecdotes to help you better understand how his atomic habit plan works.If you want to read more, don't be embarrassed if you prefer steamy romance novels over nonfiction. Read whatever fascinates you. - Atomic Habits by James Clear - page 222.
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2018
One of the core concepts in Atomic Habits is to focus on the small improvement. The impact a 1% improvement per day can make may appear negligible at first, but Clear makes a compelling argument that in the case of habits, thinking small produces the biggest results over time. "Habits are the compound interest of self-improvement," explains Clear.
Over the months and years, the accumulated effect of small habitual daily behaviors is staggering. Early in the book we are also warned that this compounding works both ways, so we'd better make sure we're making it work in the positive direction, not for the negative.
This is a concept I was introduced to years ago under a different name - Kaizen - the Japanese term for continuous incremental improvement. What's different and new in this book is how the concept is applied specifically to building habits.
I found the information introduced in chapter two about behavior change at the identity level to be spot-on. You're also given a simple two-step process for changing your identity and this one idea alone is incredibly powerful.
In chapter three, we are introduced to the habit loop - cue, craving, response, reward - and we learn how to build good habits in 4 simple steps and break bad habits in 4 simple steps.
One of those steps to habit formation, which goes hand in hand with the 1% concept, is how to make it not only small, but easy. In the chapters that follow, this is exactly what you find out.
Other ideas of great value that stood out included, habit stacking (the best way to form a new habit), habit tracking, habit shaping and how to design your environment - physical and social - for habit building success. You learn the truth about self-control, how to stop procrastinating and how to use implementation intentions, temptation bundling and motivational rituals. The book is simply packed with actionable ideas, tactics and strategies.
Virtually every idea in the book is useful and resonated with me. While I may not agree that we should "forget about goals," I agree with one of Clear's core principles in the book - that we must develop systems for change. If we only focus on goals and don't develop systems and a focus on the process, we risk falling into a number of goal-related traps which ultimately lead to stagnation. With the right systems, we're rewarded with continuous improvement on a lifelong journey of success.
Another difference between Atomic Habits and other books in this genre is that while it's based on science it doesn't bog you down with unnecessary details of the research. Clear's book is intensely practical, giving you a huge toolkit of organized and named strategies you can apply immediately to create and strengthen positive habits and stop the negative ones.
The book is conversational, and includes many interesting stories, making it easy to read - and hard to put down (I read it cover to cover in one day).
It's possible this might become your most highlighted personal improvement book because every page is so chocked full of memorable and quotable gems of advice.
Huge toolkit of actionable, practical, organized strategies to build positive habits
Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2018
I've read a lot of books on changing behavior and building habits and James Clear's Atomic Habits is my new favorite. This book is different from others in the way it covers an enormous amount of ground in the larger area of self-improvement while seamlessly tying all these ideas back into the central theme of habits.Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2018
One of the core concepts in Atomic Habits is to focus on the small improvement. The impact a 1% improvement per day can make may appear negligible at first, but Clear makes a compelling argument that in the case of habits, thinking small produces the biggest results over time. "Habits are the compound interest of self-improvement," explains Clear.
Over the months and years, the accumulated effect of small habitual daily behaviors is staggering. Early in the book we are also warned that this compounding works both ways, so we'd better make sure we're making it work in the positive direction, not for the negative.
This is a concept I was introduced to years ago under a different name - Kaizen - the Japanese term for continuous incremental improvement. What's different and new in this book is how the concept is applied specifically to building habits.
I found the information introduced in chapter two about behavior change at the identity level to be spot-on. You're also given a simple two-step process for changing your identity and this one idea alone is incredibly powerful.
In chapter three, we are introduced to the habit loop - cue, craving, response, reward - and we learn how to build good habits in 4 simple steps and break bad habits in 4 simple steps.
One of those steps to habit formation, which goes hand in hand with the 1% concept, is how to make it not only small, but easy. In the chapters that follow, this is exactly what you find out.
Other ideas of great value that stood out included, habit stacking (the best way to form a new habit), habit tracking, habit shaping and how to design your environment - physical and social - for habit building success. You learn the truth about self-control, how to stop procrastinating and how to use implementation intentions, temptation bundling and motivational rituals. The book is simply packed with actionable ideas, tactics and strategies.
Virtually every idea in the book is useful and resonated with me. While I may not agree that we should "forget about goals," I agree with one of Clear's core principles in the book - that we must develop systems for change. If we only focus on goals and don't develop systems and a focus on the process, we risk falling into a number of goal-related traps which ultimately lead to stagnation. With the right systems, we're rewarded with continuous improvement on a lifelong journey of success.
Another difference between Atomic Habits and other books in this genre is that while it's based on science it doesn't bog you down with unnecessary details of the research. Clear's book is intensely practical, giving you a huge toolkit of organized and named strategies you can apply immediately to create and strengthen positive habits and stop the negative ones.
The book is conversational, and includes many interesting stories, making it easy to read - and hard to put down (I read it cover to cover in one day).
It's possible this might become your most highlighted personal improvement book because every page is so chocked full of memorable and quotable gems of advice.
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2019
Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2024
Another refreshing aspect is that the book covers how habits are formed, whether good or bad and how to keep the good ones.
As is my custom, when reading most books, is to read through the table of contents. When I came upon chapter 20 titled "The Downside of Creating of Creating Good Habits". So that's where I started but certainly not where I finished.
Although I'm only at the beginning of chapter 4, entitled "The Man Who Didn't Look Right", I'm finding it a very interesting and helpful read.
Atomic Habits consists of 306 pages which includes the index.
Another interesting aspect of this book is the Notes section. It contains a detailed list of notes, references and citations towards the back that covers each chapter.
Would I recommend this book. Yes and no. This should not be considered a quick read. It's a book that takes time to imbibe and practice otherwise, why bother.
I bought the book because of a friend's recommendation. I needed something more in changing my eating habits. To be certain, this isn't a diet book but rather an explicit way in going from bad habits to good ones. As I once heard, life's a journey because a trip is too short.
The only reason I gave it a four star rating is because I prefer hardback books without dust jackets. They only serve to getting in the way. I do read them but then off to the trash they go.
Includes author's story for writing this book
Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2024
It was a nice surprise to read about the reason behind the writing of this book.Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2024
Another refreshing aspect is that the book covers how habits are formed, whether good or bad and how to keep the good ones.
As is my custom, when reading most books, is to read through the table of contents. When I came upon chapter 20 titled "The Downside of Creating of Creating Good Habits". So that's where I started but certainly not where I finished.
Although I'm only at the beginning of chapter 4, entitled "The Man Who Didn't Look Right", I'm finding it a very interesting and helpful read.
Atomic Habits consists of 306 pages which includes the index.
Another interesting aspect of this book is the Notes section. It contains a detailed list of notes, references and citations towards the back that covers each chapter.
Would I recommend this book. Yes and no. This should not be considered a quick read. It's a book that takes time to imbibe and practice otherwise, why bother.
I bought the book because of a friend's recommendation. I needed something more in changing my eating habits. To be certain, this isn't a diet book but rather an explicit way in going from bad habits to good ones. As I once heard, life's a journey because a trip is too short.
The only reason I gave it a four star rating is because I prefer hardback books without dust jackets. They only serve to getting in the way. I do read them but then off to the trash they go.
Images in this review
Top reviews from other countries
L. J. Oja
"Atomic Habits Unveiled: A Philosopher's Take on Personal Transformation"
Reviewed in Canada on December 2, 2023
