3 key takeaways from Atomic Habits
What is the book ‘Atomic Habits’?
James Clear wrote Atomic Habits. The book is precisely what it’s named after.
- Atomic: an extremely small amount of a thing; the single fundamental unit of a larger system
- Habits: A routine or practice performed regularly.
In this book, James Clear very neatly explains the importance of working on small habits rather than stressing too much about the big ones.
Of course, you cannot use this article as a substitute for the book. You would have to read the book to gain full knowledge and understanding. So use this as a bit of a trailer for an amazing movie.
Atomic Habits has 4 laws that will surely change your life. Whether your goal is to achieve health, fitness, financial freedom, great relationships or a good life, this book will not disappoint.
What are the 3 key takeaways from Atomic Habits?
Now that we know a lit bit about the book, let's take a look at the key takeaways:
1. Systems over goals:
Many of us are obsessed with achieving the goal e.g. scoring well in exams, reducing weight in 6 months, getting that dream job etc. James makes a clear distinction between goals and systems to achieve them.
“If successful and unsuccessful people share the same goal, then goals can’t be what differentiates the winner from the loser!”
Goals are the results you want to achieve but system is about the process that leads to those results. You are left with the same outcome every time if you don’t change the system behind it.
Goals create an “either-or” effect; either you achieve the goal and you are successful OR you are a disappointment! The purpose of setting a goal is to win a game. The purpose of building a system is to continue playing a game! One of the key things that stuck with me is,
“You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.”
2. Habits build your identity:
Habits are simple and reliable solutions to problems recurring in our environment, they are mental shortcuts learned from experience.
Your habits are how you embody your identity. The process or system of building habits is actually a process of becoming yourself!
“Every action you take is a vote for the person you wish to become!”
No single action will transform your belief, but as votes build up, so does the evidence of your new identity. Instead of saying I want to run regularly, build your identity as a runner. As Naval Ravikant says,
“To write a book, you must first become a book!”
3. Shared Identity:
Human beings are herd animals, we want to fit in, and bond with others to earn the respect and approval of the community. We tend to imitate the habits of 3 social groups:
1) Close friends and family
2) The tribe or community
3) The powerful people around with status and prestige
“A Shared identity begins to reinforce your personal identity!”
Our behaviours are more attractive when they help us fit in. Therefore, it is important to join a culture where your desired behaviour is normal behaviour. New habits are achievable when you see others doing them.
“Most days, we would rather be wrong with the crowd than be right by ourselves!”
Conclusion:
The above key takeaways don’t do complete justice to the wealth of knowledge this amazing book contains. James Clear breaks down the science of good habit building into 4 simple rules based on the cue-craving-response-reward system of the human brain. His writing is fluid and examples are aplenty but to the point.
So if you haven’t read it yet, start by showing up, pick up the book and read at least one page a day. You surely won’t be able to stop at that!
(Note - Content summarised from Atomic Habits as it is in most cases. Entire credit to James Clear!)
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