This week while perusing Instagram, I stumbled on Tom Brady’s most recent post in which he detailed his trip to Africa. He mentioned how much he loves quotes and how they inspire him. I also love quotes. I love being inspired and am constantly motivated by inspiring stories, athletes, successful business owners and self improvement books! Over the years, I have become a big fan of “Think & Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill, “The Compound Effect” by Darren Hardy, and last but definitely not least, “Atomic Habits” by James Clear. I learned about “Atomic Habits” a few years ago through my favorite influencers. The book was trending at the time for all the right reasons, and I knew I had to listen to it! I originally purchased it on Audible, and then bought it in hardback so I could read it any time.
What I love the most about this self-help book is the author doesn’t encourage you to make big changes at once. That creates overwhelm, and you’re more likely to quit. For example if you want to start an exercise routine, he recommends setting your shoes out first, then moving on from there. I know from experience when I set hefty goals, especially in terms of exercise, I tend to become overwhelmed. My new habit may last a week, and that’s about it.
Since I love the book “Atomic Habits” so much, today, I am excited to share my honest review of the book and dish on why you will enjoy reading it.
You May Also Like: My interview with author Neil Strauss on “The Truth and uncomfortable book about relationships”
Atomic Habits Book Review
In the book Atomic Habits we learn various ways to create new good habits and eliminate bad habits, which is easier said than done. One thing that I found interesting was how profound it is to add something that creates immediate pleasure to tasks with delayed gratification. According to author James Clear, what is immediate is repeated, and what is delayed is avoided.
Setting lofty goals such as losing weight, going back to school to get your bachelor’s degree, organizing your home or preparing to run a marathon (for example) are goals that don’t happen instantly. They take time and dedication. It is important to reward yourself when you create new habits or set new milestones, so you don’t lose interest. You’ll be happier, and in the end, you’re more likely to complete the milestone.
What Is Atomic Habits About
Author James Clear discussed his high school and collegiate baseball career and how life changed when he suffered a traumatic injury in the book “Atomic Habits.” He shared how he overcame his injury and has persevered over the years. Not only that, Clear shared tips and examples on how we can overcome challenges and create new habits in our personal and professional lives.
There are three laws to habit making and they include:
- Make It Obvious
- Make It Attractive
- Make It Easy
The 3rd law “make it easy” is my favorite because if something is easy, one is more likely to repeat that habit everyday.
If you’d like to create a habit to drink more water, one way to do so is by having a few glasses of H20 or water bottles around the house or in your office. I bought a 40 oz Stanley cup about six months ago, and loved it so much that I bought another. One is in my bedroom so I don’t forget to drink water in the morning, and another is at my desk or in the kitchen, so I can grab it when I’m working or when I come in from gardening.
If your goal is to exercise more, you can follow James Clear’s example by having your workout shoes in plain sight as a reminder to go for a walk, workout, or for a run. About a month ago, I decided I wanted to lift light weights in order to gain strength. I started searching for videos on Youtube and found a few instructors I really like who incorporate light weights into their workouts. Over the first few weeks, I made sure and laid my dumbbells near my desk, so I didn’t forget to do my exercises at my computer! Now it is just second nature, and I do the exercises every day!
In my opinion, one of the ways “Atomic Habits” differs from other self improvement books (or self-help books) is the author shares practical strategies and gives concrete examples on how to not only create new habits but make new habits stick. The tips are easy to comprehend and approach. They don’t take much time and are doable. How you would like to apply these tips and strategies to your life is up to you!
Who Should Read Atomic Habits
This book can help anyone, whether you’re a high school athlete or a college student, if you’re looking to start a new career or change careers, those getting married, parents-to-be, a grandparent, pet parents, if you’re looking to save money, or those just looking to create a new habit!
“Atomic Habits” is one of the most popular books for many reasons, with one of them being that it is relatable. The author gives you actionable steps that you can take to create new habits, tips on how to break bad habits, and how to hold yourself accountable.
Why Read Atomic Habits
If you’re feeling bored in life, have items on your bucket list that you’d like to achieve or are just looking to better your life by creating new habits, you should definitely read “Atomic Habits.”
This book will help you change your perspective with small actionable steps you can take in the right direction without feeling overwhelmed.
You will become more habit-oriented, which will help you feel more confident about attempting things on your to-do list. Your mindset will improve. You will feel more confident, perhaps even eager to try new things you have always wanted to do, whether your dream involves traveling to another country, taking a public speaking course, trying that new kitchen gadget, saving for a down payment on your dream home or growing a garden!
I have a vision board which includes images of things I want to do, quotes I live by, flowers I want to grow in my garden, classes I would like to take, etc! I set a goal at the beginning of the year to plant sunflowers. Years ago, I had a sunflower wall, which was absolutely gorgeous, and I desperately wanted to recreate that.
My excitement quickly began to wane because I couldn’t find anyone to rototill the ground where I wanted them planted. I stumbled on this Sun Joe cultivating tool in mid-June, which became a game changer. It is battery operated, is easy to use and cultivated the row where I wanted my sunflowers planted. Is my entire field rototilled? No, but I was able to rototill the section and amend the soil. I planted seeds, and they are doing very well.
Had I not had this vision in my mind, and told myself that the task was doable and actually took the initiative to plant them (even though I wondered if it was too late in the year to plant), my sunflowers wouldn’t be growing! They haven’t bloomed yet, but they are pretty tall! I am impatiently waiting for the flowers to bloom in various colors in the coming weeks! Stay tuned!
This was a task that I had initially found overwhelming, but I broke it up into small tasks and made it approachable and achievable!
The same goes for the pumpkin plants I planted a few weeks prior. I used the 3 laws to my advantage – make it obvious, make it attractive and my favorite – make it easy!
Is Atomic Habits Worth Reading?
Yes 100% Yes! Atomic Habits is a great book with simple solutions to problems or hefty goals you may have felt overwhelmed to take on. In fact, I didn’t know what to expect the first time I read it since I’d never read a book with such actionable easy-to-achieve steps. I just knew that everyone was touting it on social media and on television.
I will admit that I still feel overwhelmed (at times) when undertaking new tasks that I don’t feel confident attempting.
For example, I still don’t enjoy rototilling my entire yard, using my wood fire pizza (which tends to make a lot of smoke but doesn’t cook evenly!) or making time to meditate. One thing is for sure by making my habits obvious, attractive, and easy, I am more likely to attempt new habits, and decide whether I would like to undertake a new habit (or improve on the one I have undertaken)!
Not only is it important to create new habits, but according to author James Clear “reflection and review enables the long-term improvement of all habits because it makes you aware of your mistakes and helps you consider possible paths for improvement. Without reflection, we can make excuses, create rationalizations, and lie to ourselves. We have no process for determining whether we are performing better or worse compared to yesterday.”
If you would like to create good habits, and unlearn bad habits, I highly suggest reading “Atomic Habits.”
I also believe you should start small. James mentions that if you miss one day, it is normal. But you may give up if you miss more than two days.
By starting small and making it easy, you are more likely to achieve your goal. Start “habit stacking” by stacking a new habit on top of an existing habit. For example if you’re looking to create a routine in your cut flower garden, you can say on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays I water my plants. After I water, I pull weeds. After pulling weeds, I cut flowers, and put them in a vase and place them in my home (or gift them to a friend). There are countless examples!
I highly recommend reading “Atomic Habits”, and think you will love it! This book, which offers simple steps to creating good habits (and will help you build better habits and new daily habits) will also make a great gift for a friend or a loved one!
Atomic Habits Quotes
- “In Practice, it doesn’t really matter how long it takes for a habit to become automatic. What matters is that you take the actions you need to take to make progress.” (page 147)
- “Overall, habit stacking allows you to create a set of simple rules that guide your future behavior.” (page 76)
- “The ultimate form of intrinsic motivation is when a habit becomes part of your identity. It’s one thing to say I’m the type of person who wants this. It’s something very different to say I’m the type of person who is this.” (page 33).
- “Habits are like the atoms of our lives. Each one is a fundamental unit that contributes to your overall improvement.” (page 27)
- “Many people think they lack motivation when what they really lack is clarity. It is not always obvious when and where to take action. Some people spend their entire lives waiting for the time to be right to make an improvement.” (page 71)
