In my journey through self-improvement, one book that has really shifted my perspective on life is “Atomic Habits” by James Clear. The core idea of this book lies in a simple fact that changes only come when we create tiny, atomic habits that let ‘change’ happen in our life.
As a human being, it is possible to feel stuck at a situation sometimes and at that time, we feel like we are fighting a battle with our own willpower. So, here I am going to share the five-must know habits that I learned from this life- changing book:
Focus On The Journey, Not On Goals
Previously, I used to start every task with a big aim, like “finishing a book within 2 days,” or “completing a task as soon as I can.” But as the author of the book points out and as I have experienced during this journey is that both winners and losers have same goals. But, the thing that makes the difference is the way they both approach things. The winner always tends to focus on the system, the process in which things needs to be done, whereas the loser always focuses on reaching the desired aim, without realising how beautiful the process can be.
My experience is that reaching a goal is not a finishing line, but a process that must be followed consistently on every day basis. The moment I stopped obsessing over the outcome and instead, started focusing on my daily habits and gained interest in doing them, I realised that if you do the process in a right way, the results will automatically take care of themselves.
Embracing The 1% Change In Daily Habits
Many of us feel that if changes are happening gradually and not up to our expectations, then we tend to get demotivated immediately. After reading this book, I realised that habits are essentially the “compound interest” of self-improvement. If you are getting better, even by 1% each day, you will end up being thirty seven times better by the end of the year.
Changing Identity
Most of us try to change what we do, but true and long-lasting change happens when we change, “who we are,” I stopped saying, “I am trying to stay fit” and started telling myself “I am the master.”
When you find that your behaviour is a reflection of your own identity, you aren't forcing yourself to act, you are just being “who you are” actually. Everytime, I choose a healthy snack or sit down to do some work, I view it as a “vote” for the person I am aiming to become. This transition in my mindset has turned my habit from a chore into a source of pride.
The Four Laws Of Behavioural Change
To make my new habits stick to my daily routine, I started following Clear’s simple framework based on the four stages of a habit: Cue, Craving, Response and Reward. I now look at every habit through these four lenses to make sure that I am preparing myself to embrace and enjoy success simultaneously.
Make It Obvious: Important tasks such as, “I will keep my clothes right now where I will see them in the morning, when I search for them.”
Make It Attractive: I only listen to my favourite podcasts while I am doing chores.
Make It Easy: I apply the “two minute rule” in my everyday tasks to make sure that I don't skip them if it takes only two minutes to start.
Make It Satisfying: I find small ways to reward myself immediately after a “win” so that my brain wants to repeat the action.
Prioritising Environment Over Will-Power
I have realised that I am more disciplined than before the moment I changed my environment. For instance, if I feel like eating something better for my health, I don't keep junk food at all in my house. If I prefer reading a book, I will keep that book near me instead of my phone.
At the end of the day, “will-power” is a finite resource and I have learned not to rely on it. Through my experience on this beautiful and unforgettable journey, I have come to know that no matter what you do with your life or what changes you make in your daily routine, unless you will change your environment, you are far behind than you think from your goals. So, according to me, a well-designed environment will bring you more closer towards your goal every single time.
