Two HUGE Game Changers I Learned from Reading: Atomic Habits

So, I had been recommended 'Atomic Habits' by James Clear, for a while by multiple friends and I decided to give it a shot. I ended up purchasing the audiobook and listening to it on my drive to work and during my runs. I have to say, it is well worth the read (or listen)! I found a couple of ideas that really stuck with me and actually made things easier. Here are the two biggest game-changers I learned from it.

Game Changer #1: Systems Over Goals

So we all have goals. Maybe your goal is to run a marathon or to learn a new language or to finally organize your house. But the truth is, goals are often just the starting point. They're the dream, the destination, but they don't always tell us how to get there. James Clear, the wizard behind Atomic Habits, points out that goals alone are a pretty flimsy foundation for change.

Think about it. You set a goal to lose 10 pounds. Great! But what happens when you hit a plateau? Or when life throws a curveball and you miss a workout? Suddenly, the goal feels miles away, and it's easy to just… give up. Goals are about the future outcome, and they don't really tell you what to do today. They're like a destination on a map without any directions on how to get there. You might have the best intentions, but without a solid plan, you're just wandering.

This is where systems come in! Instead of obsessing over that finish line, you focus on the process – the daily habits and routines that actually move you forward. It's about building a reliable engine, not just dreaming about the destination. When you focus on building a good system, the results tend to take care of themselves. It's like tending a garden; you focus on watering, weeding, and giving it sunlight, and eventually, you get beautiful flowers. You're not just staring at the empty flowerbed hoping for blooms. Building effective systems is how you achieve lasting change and improve your life over time.

Here's a little breakdown:

• Goals: The desired result (e.g., "Lose 10 pounds").

• Systems: The process that leads to the result (e.g., "Exercise 3 times a week, eat a vegetable with every meal").

Focusing on systems means you're constantly improving your process, which naturally leads to better outcomes. It's about showing up and doing the work, day in and day out, rather than just wishing for a different future.

Game Changer #2: Habit Stacking

Okay, so you've got your goals (or maybe you're still working on those, no judgment here). But how do you actually do the thing? Enter habit stacking. This is where things get really fun, or at least, less painful. Think of it like this: you already do a bunch of stuff every day without even thinking about it. You wake up, you brush your teeth, you probably trip over the cat at least once. These are your existing habits, your daily anchors. Habit stacking is basically tying a new, shiny habit you want to do onto one of those old, comfy habits you already do.

Basically, it's a fancy term for "after I do X, I will immediately do Y." You're using a current habit as a trigger for a new one. It’s like a domino effect for your life. The idea is to make the new habit feel like a natural extension of something you're already doing. It’s not about willpower; it’s about making it so obvious that you don't do the new thing, it feels weird.

Here’s a simple formula:

• Current Habit: (e.g., "After I pour my morning coffee...")

• New Habit: (e.g., "...I will write down one thing I'm grateful for.")

It sounds almost too easy, right? But it works because it removes the "when will I do this?" question. The "when" is already built-in. You don't have to remember to do it; you just have to remember to do the thing you always do.

Here are a few examples to get your brain buzzing:

• After I finish my dinner, I will put my dishes straight into the dishwasher.

• After I get into bed, I will read one page of a book.

• After I turn off my alarm in the morning, I will immediately drink a glass of water.

The key is to be super specific. Don't just say "after I eat," say "after I finish my last bite of dinner." The more precise you are, the easier it is for your brain to connect the dots. And hey, if you miss a day? No biggie. Just pick up where you left off. This isn't about perfection; it's about consistency, one stacked habit at a time.

So, What's the Takeaway?

Honestly, go buy the book! It's a fantastic read that offers practical advice for making meaningful changes in your life. You won't regret it. These two game-changers are just a few of the many lessons you can learn from the book. I chose these to write about because these are the ones I personally found most impactful and have started implementing in my own life.

Happy habit building!

Also if you have any book recommendations, I would love to hear them in the comments! I'm always looking for new reads to help me grow!