Productivity

Atomic Habits

by James Clear

Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results

1

The power of small improvements

Daily marginal growth

Choose a minimal habit that takes less than 2 minutes (e.g., read one page, do one push-up) and do it every day without excuses.

2

Identity before results

Become the person you want to be

Frame your identity positively ("I am a person who works out", "I am a reader") and ask yourself every day: *does this choice confirm my identity?*

3

The 4 laws cycle

Cue → Craving → Response → Reward

Draw the cycle for a habit you want to create and apply the 4 laws: make it obvious, attractive, easy, and satisfying.

4

Make the habit obvious

Use visible cues

Put the book on your pillow, leave running shoes by the door, prepare your water bottle in sight.

5

Make the habit attractive

Connect pleasure and discipline

Associate the habit you want to build with an activity you enjoy (e.g., listen to podcasts only while running).

6

Make the habit easy

Zero friction

Reduce the number of steps to start (e.g., prepare your bag the night before, download the meditation app, leave tools within reach).

7

Make the habit satisfying

Immediate rewards

Use a visual tracker (calendar or app) to check off each day: seeing progress is already a reward.

8

Break bad habits

Reverse the 4 laws

Make the unwanted habit invisible, unattractive, difficult, and unsatisfying (e.g., remove junk food from home, delete apps from phone).

9

The power of environment

Design the space, not willpower

Modify your environment to favor good habits (e.g., tidy desk = more focus).

10

Never twice in a row

Resilience over perfection

If you skip a day, resume immediately the next day. Rule: *never skip twice in a row*.

Tags
habitsproductivityself-improvementbehavior-change
Atomic Habits by James Clear | MonkAI