James Clear's Atomic Habits is packed with insights into building and breaking habits. Here are the seven takeaways from Cleary's book.
1
Small actions, when done regularly, build up to big changes. Starting with little habits can lead to important transformations.
2
Goals are destinations, and systems are the paths to reach them. Systems drive consistent progress, more effective than focusing solely on specific goals.
3
Seeing your habits as part of yourself makes them stronger. Instead of saying, "I want to do this," think, "I'm the kind of person who does this." It helps you become who you want to be.
4
It suggests we're inclined to choose easy habits. James Clear advises making good habits effortless.
5
Clear advises new habits takes under 2 minutes to start. So, read or exercise for 2 minutes daily—it helps stick to habits long-term.
6
Clear goes beyond just focusing on "what to do" to building habits. He introduces "when to do" and "where to do", helping to quickly form good habits.
7
Pairing a new habit with an existing one creates a routine, increasing the likelihood of the new habit sticking.