Should You Read Atomic Habits?
Yes, I like the book Atomic Habits and think you should read it. This is an Atomic Habits book review with a less popular opinion.
Do I think it’s as unique and mindblowing as some people would have you think? No, I do not. What I like about it is that it is full of common sense.
So yes, read it, but it is overhyped. You have already done many of the things suggested in this book. It is good for a kick in the pants to remind you that you know better and should be making more constructive choices.
Delayed gratification, constructive choices, minor changes and compromise can all help you get to where you want to be. So, if you are trying to lose weight, don’t wait until the new year; start now. If you want to save for a holiday, stop buying fast fashion from online stores that shall not be named.
You can reach your goals, but you’ll need to put in some effort. You will need effort, consistency, a plan and patience.
Why Is Atomic Habits By James Clear So Popular?
Atomic Habits is popular because it encourages you to make small, actionable changes rather than massive ones you may struggle to stick to. James Clear argues that small changes can make a big difference, especially over time.
Small habit changes magnify your success over time. The impact of your good and or bad habits increases over time. A small shit in another direction can completely change your trajectory.
I like to think of it like this. I was too lazy in school to measure my margin width when ruling up. I thought I was ruling up straight, and I would draw the line in red pen. I would lift my ruler, expecting to see perfection.
Of course, I was disappointed that my line started in the right place but ended way off track. This is like our habits. We think small things won’t matter, or we take shortcuts to save time and regret it later.
For example, if you stop buying coffee on your way to work, make one at home and put it in a travel mug. Say this saves you $5 a day; multiply that by five, which adds up to $25 weekly. That’s a small, doable change.
That $25 a week is $100 a month; times that by ten, you have $1000. Sorry for the simple math, but that coffee could be a family holiday or be used as an emergency fund to cover an unforeseen financial cost.
Small things matter and add up; in fact, most of our decisions compound over time. What we put out will come back to reward us or bite us.
What Are The Main Ideas In Atomic Habits?
Habit Stacking: A simple method of building a new habit by linking it to an existing one. This approach makes it easier to remember and stick to the new habit. It does this by piggybacking on something you already do often.
Small Changes Matter: Tiny improvements can add up to significant differences over time.
Four Rules for Changing Habits: There are four laws to habit formation. To change habits, make them obvious, attractive, easy, and satisfying.
Focus on Who You Want to Be: Change is easier when you focus on the type of person you want to become, not just what you want to achieve.
Change Your Environment: Make good habits easier and bad habits harder by changing your surroundings.
Start Small: If you want to start a habit, begin with something that takes two minutes or less to do. This makes it easier to build better habits.
Link New Habits to Old Ones: Add new habits to routines you already have to make them stick.
Keep Track and Have Support: Be a habit tracker. Monitoring your progress and having someone to hold you accountable can help you maintain your new habits.
Practical Example
I have developed a small habit of walking from one end of the house to the other. On my way, I look for things that are out of place. Everything should have a home, so I move things closer or back to their homes. If I don't directly return them on the way, I pile them closer to their homes.
For example, I have a small table near the hallway to my bedroom. I pile things that belong in the bedroom on the small table, and the next time I go to the bedroom, I take those things with me. This way, I do not go out of my way to tidy up. I do it incrementally. It is a quick and gamified version of tidying.
How Long Does It Take To Read Atomic Habits, And What Is The Price?
I don’t know how fast you read; I am more of an audiobook listener.
The audiobook is 5 hours and 35 minutes. The author, James Clear, reads it. It’s good quality. The audiobook is, at the moment, AUD 18.99, or a credit if you’re a member of Audible. The credit works out to be cheaper. Buy Audible Audiobook
The book summary is 32 minutes. It only cost me AUD 3.45, which is a steal. The book summary is read by Ideabrew Studios. I always recommend listening to the sample before you purchase an audiobook. This is a good option if you want to save time and money. Buy Book Summary
Other purchase options:
If you would rather it on Kindle, it is AUD 18.99
Hardcovers start at over AUD 45
and paperback at AUD 20
When Was Atomic Habits Published?
James Clear wrote Atomic Habits, first published on October 16, 2018. All the information is still relevant. I wouldn’t consider it an ‘old’ book.
Conclusion: Atomic Habits Review
Yes, people should read Atomic Habits. Atomic Habits is a common sense self-help book. It will help you to change your trajectory or course correct.
To achieve your goals, you will need to do more than read the book; you will need to take action. Small actions snowball and the most challenging part is starting. So please don’t wait, read it and start now.
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