Atomic Habits

So back at the end of 2019 I listened to a podcast by James Smith that outlines his recommended books and how each one shaped him. Based off this podcast, and as part of my new goals I’ve decided to give a few of the books a read and see how they shape and influence my life.

I am not a fast reader and it takes a while for me to settle down distraction free to read so I knew this would be a challenge.

The book I decided to start with is Atomic Habits by James Clear and here is what I thought and the changes I am making as a result.

It took a good few chapters for me to get into this book. After the first few pages I put it down for a while because it felt a bit similar to other ‘self improvement’ books I’ve started and never finished.

When I got over myself and committed to finishing the book I realised that as the chapters went on I started to understand the behaviours I do and what actions they bring about. It gives you a really clear breakdown of habit behaviour and simple yet effective changes you can make to break the bad habit cycle and form new better and long lasting habits.

The key to this book isn’t to change the world one giant leap at a time but to make small ‘atomic’ changes that with time and consistency lead to bigger outcomes and goals.

The book gives you suggestions of things to implement and gives you tasks to complete so you can assess your own habits.

I can’t say I’ll be undertaking all the changes and ideas suggested in the book but there are a few that I’ve taken away to start with.

The first being to have a clear defined place when it comes to forming a new habit. Somewhere not associated with other habits. For me this is how I am helping myself to read more.

I’ve designated a particular chair for when I want to do some reading, distraction free. So I know that when I sit in that chair it becomes habit to pick up my book.

It’s a small change but I can already see it making a difference to the amount I read.

I’d recommend this book if you want to start looking at how you can change your mindset around forming new habits. Especially if you try and change everything at once, like me.

Next on my 2020 reading list

“Not a diet book” by James Smith

“Sapiens” by Yuval Noah Harari

Watch this space for my thoughts on both of these…