Self-help and self-improvement can be a bit of a hamster wheel. There are a lot of books that come with great theory, however actually using it won’t ever happen. Every now and then there is a book that actually delivers on the promise and will help you immediately. So, are you looking for a self-help or self-improvement book? Don’t look any further! Atomic Habits is the one you need!
Why Atomic Habits is a must read
Atomic habits is a must read for everybody that wants to get rid of their bad habits or wants to start new good habits! It is an easy to read book and gives a lot of insights you can immediately use. Perfect for busy people! The framework is built so that you can improve every day! No big steps that are big hurdles, but small steps of improvement everyday.
Key Findings from Atomic Habits
There are a lot of insides James Clear gives you in this book, however I want to highlight a few key findings I really like. For more insights, I’d recommend just reading the book. It’s easy to read and gives a lot of examples.
1. Get 1% better every day
In the book, James Clear talks about ‘the compound interest of self improvement’. If you increase with just 1% every day, this yields a 37x improvement 365 days later. The message here is that you don’t have to be perfect everyday, you just have to make sure to improve the slightest.
Where most people always focus on the goal, James Clear’s message is to focus on the process. Once you start making small steps on a daily basis, you’ve made huge steps in a year’s time.
2. The 4 laws of behavior change
Where there are countless models and philosophies about behavioral patterns, James Clear came up with a simple habit cycle that only contains 4 simple steps. This step-by-step framework does not only make human behavior understandable but also shows how to change it.
The 4 steps are, cue, craving, response, reward. The cue and the craving are the “problem” and the response and reward are the “solution”. By simply removing the cue, there is no craving and the rest of the habit is not triggered.
3. Change your identity to change your habits
“The most effective way to change your habits is to focus not on what you want to achieve, but who you want to become.” states James Clear. He believes you first establish the identity, and then the process and outcomes will follow much easier.
A few quotes from worth mentioning
When you fall in love with the process rather than the product, you don’t have to wait to give yourself permission to be happy. You can be satisfied anytime your system is running.
~ James Clear – Atomic Habits
Habits are the compound interest of self-improvement
~ James Clear – Atomic Habits
You should be far more concerned with your current trajectory than with your current results.
~ James Clear – Atomic Habits
Professionals stick to the schedule;
~ James Clear – Atomic Habits
amateurs let life get in the way.
You don’t have to be the victim of your environment. You can also be the architect of it.
~ James Clear – Atomic Habits
About the author of Atomic Habits: James Clear
James clear is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller, Atomic Habits, which has sold more than 5 million copies worldwide. He has been featured in places like, CBS This Morning, the New York times, the Wall Street Journal and Time magazine. Besides this, James Clear is more than a writer. He is a regular speaker at Fortune 500 companies like Honda, Intel, LinkedIn and many more.
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