My 2 Biggest Take Aways from Atomic Habits

I remember the first time I started reading Atomic Habits. Like actually read it and not just listened to it on Audible (which I almost exclusively do now). It was back in 2021 and things were opening back up because of Covid and I needed something to do on my flight.

Since then that book has SKYROCKETED in popularity.

I haven't taken the time to revisit it, but here are the two things that stick out years later.

Habit Stacking:

Throughout your day you have a bunch of habits that you do without realizing them. You can build off these to add new good habits. As if completing one habit triggers you to do the other.

Make it Easy:

When incorporating new habits, what helps a bunch is to arrange your environment in a way that makes the new habit as easy as possible and almost natural.

Something I wanted to add to my life was running. I was never much of a runner but I knew I would appreciate the cardiovascular benefits of it.

A habit I had was walking through the door after work and putting my backpack down in the same spot every day. Normally, I would grab a snack from the pantry and turn on the TV. Then I decided to start going to my closet and changing into my running clothes immediately after putting my bag down.

I didn't have to go running, I just had to change. Eventually, I made it easier by leaving my running clothes on the table next to where I put my bag.

Then I had to put my running shoes on after I changed, which were conveniently placed by the door now.

Then walk back outside when I had my shoes on.

Eventually, running just felt like the natural thing to do and now I run consistently.