Atomic Habits - Deepstash
How To Break Bad Habits

Learn more about personaldevelopment with this collection

Understanding the psychological rewards of bad habits

Creating new habits to replace old ones

Developing self-discipline

How To Break Bad Habits

Discover 58 similar ideas in

It takes just

7 mins to read

Habits Shape Your Identity

Habits Shape Your Identity

Your actions define who you are. Our habits are a reflection of our identity. The more we repeat a behavior, the more we reinforce the identity associated with that behavior.

For example: if you make your bed every day, you are reinforcing the identity of someone who is organized and tidy. If you exercise regularly, you are reinforcing the identity of someone who is fit and healthy.

James Clear argues that the best way to change our identity is to focus on changing our habits. By starting with small, easy habits, we can gradually build up a new identity that is more aligned with our goals.

10.7K

59.1K reads

The 4 Steps of Habit Change

The 4 Steps of Habit Change

Habits exist in order to help us do repetitive things automatically.

PROBLEM PHASE:

1 - Cue:ย the cue triggers the brain to a certain behavior, like you walk into dark room.

2 - Craving: this is the motivation behind the habit, like you want to be able to see

SOLUTION PHASE:

3 - Response: this is the action to perform, like you flip the light switch.

4 - Reward:ย it has two purposes - to satisfy us and to teach us, like you satisfy your craving to see.

9.82K

45.9K reads

JAMES CLEAR

โ€œIf you can get 1 % better each dayย you will end up 37 times better by the time youโ€™re done.

If you get worst 1% every single day end up reaching nearly 0"

JAMES CLEAR

9.47K

52.8K reads

Good & Bad Habits

Good & Bad Habits

Good Habits have certain characteristics:ย 

  • Obvious:ย Put your gym bag by the door so you see it first thing in the morning.
  • Attractive:ย Listen to your favorite music while you work out.
  • Easy:ย Start your day with a 10-minute walk.
  • Satisfying:ย Write down your progress in a habit tracker.

Bad Habits can be broken down by making them:

  • Invisible:ย Hide your cigarettes so you don't see them every time.
  • Unattractive:ย Think about how bad your breath smells after you smoking.
  • Difficult:ย Set a goal to work for 25 minutes, even if you don't feel like it.
  • Unsatisfying: Remember how bad slacking off feels.

10.3K

43.9K reads

JAMES CLEAR

โ€œA habit needs to be enjoyable for it to last.โ€

What is instantly rewarded is done again. what instantly punished is ditched.

To get a habit to stick You need to feel instantly successful, even if in a small way.

JAMES CLEAR

8.41K

30K reads

Walk Slowly, But Never Backward

Walk Slowly, But Never Backward

It's easy to get discouraged when you're trying to change your habits, especially if you don't see results immediately. But if you keep taking small steps forward, even if they're not huge, you'll eventually reach your goals.

For example: if you're trying to lose weight, you might be tempted to skip a workout or eat a unhealthy meal. But if you do that, you'll be setting yourself back. It's better to make small, healthy choices that will help you reach your goals in the long run.

8.61K

29.6K reads

The 2-Minute Rule

The 2-Minute Rule

If you can do an action in two minutes or less, tackle it at the moment โ€” and donโ€™t delay.ย 

The rule was created by David Allen inย Getting Things Done & James Clear recommends it for habit building as well: When you start a new habit it should take less than two minutes to do.

Any habit can be scaled down into a 2-minute version:

  • Read before bed each night becomesย read one page;
  • 30 minutes of exercise becomesย take out my yoga mat;
  • Fold the laundry becomesย fold one pair of socks;

9.74K

30.5K reads

The Law Of Least Effort

The Law Of Least Effort

We will instinctively choose the path that requires least amount of work. This is a universal law that has huge implications in habit formation:ย 

  • Create an environment where doing the right thing is as easy as possible.
  • Reduce the friction associated with good behaviors. When friction is low, habits are easy.
  • Increase the friction associated with bad behaviors. When friction is high, habits are difficult.

8.53K

31.6K reads

CURATED BY

Curious about different takes? Check out our Atomic Habits Summary book page to explore multiple unique summaries written by Deepstash users.

More like this

Atomic Habits

2 ideas

Atomic Habits

James Clear

Atomic Habits

3 ideas

Atomic Habits

James Clear

Atomic Habits

6 ideas

Atomic Habits

James Clear

Read & Learn

20x Faster

without
deepstash

with
deepstash

with

deepstash

Access to 200,000+ ideas

โ€”

Access to the mobile app

โ€”

Unlimited idea saving & library

โ€”

โ€”

Unlimited history

โ€”

โ€”

Unlimited listening to ideas

โ€”

โ€”

Downloading & offline access

โ€”

โ€”

Personalized recommendations

โ€”

โ€”

Supercharge your mind with one idea per day

Enter your email and spend 1 minute every day to learn something new.

Email

I agree to receive email updates