Our Review of the Book
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.
Editorial Reviews
Review
“A supremely practical and useful book. James Clear distills the most fundamental information about habit formation, so you can accomplish more by focusing on less.”
-Mark Manson, #1 New York Times best-selling author of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
“James Clear has spent years honing the art and studying the science of habits. This engaging, hands-on book is the guide you need to break bad routines and make good ones.”
-Adam Grant, New York Times best-selling author of Originals, Give and Take, and Option B with Sheryl Sandberg
“A special book that will change how you approach your day and live your life.”
-Ryan Holiday, bestselling author of The Obstacle is the Way and Ego is the Enemy
“As a physician attempting to help my patients build healthy habits to decrease and reverse chronic disease, Atomic Habits is the playbook I have been searching for. Not only does the book offer actionable items I can teach my patients, I can refer them to read and implement the ideas themselves. The format is powerful and simple. This should be taught in all medical schools.”
-Laurie Marbas, MD, United States Air Force veteran
“Atomic Habits was a great read. I learned a lot and think it’ll be helpful to a lot of people.”
—Gayle King, co-anchor of CBS This Morning and editor-at-large for O, The Oprah Magazine
“Useful new book”
–Wall Street Journal
“In Atomic Habits, Clear will show you how to overcome a lack of motivation, change your environment to encourage success, and make time for new (and better) habits.
–Glamour.com
“Atomic Habits is a great book for anyone who is frustrated with the way they can’t seem to kick that one (or two dozen) bad habit(s) and wants to finally achieve health, fitness, financial freedom, great relationships, and a good life.”
–Medium.com
“Excellent. Well worth the read.”
–Benjamin Hardy, Inc.com