James Clear’s Atomic habits is perhaps one of the most best-selling self-help books. I used to hear often that this is a book which should be read in the 20s, I always smirked at the idea. How wrong I was! This book is a must-read, had I read it earlier I would have probably rectified my ways -but keeping in spirit of the book, it ITS NEVER LATE TO START!
We are aware that good habits build a better lifestyle and bad habits tend to do vice versa. According to James, it is minuscule changes in habits which bring about the positive long-term changes. Habits are consequences of a continuous process.
“Habits are the compound interest of self-improvement”
james Clear
Cue, Craving, Response and Rewards form the 4 building blocks of good habits. Our brain is unconsciously and meticulously performing analysis on factors that lead to fruits or “Rewards” – Cue is the stepping stone of the habit-building wherein we make an effort to identify the trigger points. It may be as simple as not snoozing the alarm clock daily. Whether or not we snooze, we may tend to go back to sleep. However, with continuous efforts and understanding the rewards of an early day will soak in slowly. Craving forms the second stepping stone wherein our cues are linked to the will-power to exchange a habit for a better one. The cumulative effect of human emotions and logic drastically changes a cue into a craving.
We respond to the situation based on our cravings and hence Response forms the last but one stepping stone to good habits. Rewards are the finishing line of good habit, the red ribbon which we dash against on adapting to a good habit. To make these four stones go in a loop so that our habits change, we should make simple changes. Cues should be obvious triggers which lead to an appealing stimulus like cravings and these stimuli should compel us to respond in most easy way possible so that we finally procure good habits as rewards; be it monetary benefit or spiritual accomplishments.
“All big things come from small beginnings. The seed of every habit is a single, tiny decision. But as that decision is repeated, a habit sprouts and grows stronger. Roots entrench themselves and branches grow. The task of breaking a bad habit is like uprooting a powerful oak within us. And the task of building a good habit is like cultivating a delicate flower one day at a time.”
James Clear
The simultaneous process of observing the reward is a cue, the sheer desire to achieve it defines the craving, the efforts we actually put in to achieve the reward counts as the response. The book breaks down into simple step-by-step processes to manipulate the brain to succumbing into good habits. Overall, it is a wholesome book to study your own self and metamorphize into a better one.
Listen to Atomic Habits on Audible – narrated by James Clear! Click here for a sample from Atomic Habits. You can also reach me on Facebook or Instagram to share your views on books.
Cheers to Reading!
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Ordo Ab Chao 
Good review and an interesting book to read. Great suggestion, Ankita!
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This is really very good read. Do listen to this over Audible if you don’t find time to read. It’s really helpful.
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