up:: Habits MOC tags::#habit,#on/pd

Notes on this note

This is a sanitized version of my actual note.

  • Some content and links have been removed.

How Atomic Habits fit into the conversation on habits

Atomic Habits is a term from James Clear, with a book of the same name.

Here’s a summary of his argument:

  • Winners and losers can have the same goals, so what actually makes the difference? The system and process. Yep, makes me this of my ode to The Process, see Trust the process (kit).
  • Habits are the fundamental unit of your systems. Your current systems are perfectly designed to provide you with your current results.

James adds a fourth step to Duhigg’s habit cycle, which was needed. James is a smart dude. Check out the steps here: Understanding the habit cycle and habitual cues.

Other tidbits:

  • The first step is Awareness. Discover and record your habits throughout the day. Here’s an example of me Charting out habit cycles in my life circa 2013
    • The more specific the implementation, the more motivation, ie time, place, etc
  • Focus on Identity over Outcome: ie “I’m the guy who…” over thinking about the result I want…Every action you take is you casting a vote for your identity.
  • James shares ‘The Goldilocks rule’, which is nothing more than finding Flow through balancing challenge with ability, which apparently is 3-4% beyond your current ability. You need victories to stay satisfied, but you need to be challenged.

“Men desire novelty to such a degree that men who are doing well require it just as much as men who are not.”

Ah yes, “novelty”. Reminds me of how Our brain’s attentional filter responds to Importance and Novelty.


  • Back Matter
    • dates:: 2019-10-01
    • created:: 2019-10-01
    • modified:: 2020-05-28