Atomic Habits - the best resource on habits, and a masterclass in format

The format and clarity were my favourite part of this book, and they carried it to a 5/5 from me.

I picked it up because someone recommended it and it’s very hyped, so I figured it was worth a try. The hype turned out to be earned.

James Clear gives you excellent summaries each chapter, a smooth way of introducing new points, and relevant quotes throughout. I’d read “Designing the Mind” first, and I could see how much that book was based on this format, which certainly shaped my take. Either way, I really like the format.

It’s not just theory for me either. I was learning to juggle better at the time, so I put the juggling balls in the hallway. Whenever I was waiting there or had a spare moment, I did some juggling, and it definitely helped. That’s the book in action: habit chaining and environmental cues are the two ideas that have stayed with me most.

The book is extremely focused on habits, of course, and I found the overall pattern repetitive at times. But it certainly is the best resource I’ve read on the specific topic of habits.

So who’s it for? If someone just wants habit help, Atomic Habits makes more sense, because it’s more focused on exactly that. It’s the clearest and most accessible book on building good habits and breaking bad ones. If you want a more comprehensive guide to the psychology of the mind covering more ground, I’d still recommend “Designing the Mind” instead. Atomic Habits has a much narrower focus, but within that focus it’s hard to beat.