The blog

Jessica’s Bookshelf – Atomic Habits 

by James Clear

One of my personal and professional goals in 2021 is to read 25 books

One thing I’ve learned about myself through the years is I GROW through reading. When I’m reading I’m growing…when I’m not reading I’m not growing.⁠⠀
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This year, instead of just sharing with you in December all of the books I read (aka listen to) throughout the year, I’m going to share a little book review as I go. I hope you enjoy embarking on this journey with me!

Atomic Habits by James Clear

Early this year, I found a number of people I admire and respect referencing Atomic Habits in conversation. Generally, when that happens, I take it as a pretty clear sign that it’s a book I should check out! I suggested the book to a professional book club I’m a part of and we read it as a group. As it turns out, this is a GREAT book to read with a group of professionals. It provokes great conversation and discussion and I feel the group really caused the book to have more depth than it may have had on its own.

The book places lots of importance on the “how” of developing habits. The author really moves away from the idea of goals and moves toward the importance of systems and a clearly executed , meticulous plan. What made this book most interesting to me are many of the specific observations and analysis from examples from history, arts etc.

If you were to ask me at any given moment if I love a challenge, I will ALWAYS say “yes!”…but I love how atomic habits, explains that, in fact our brain loves challenges, but only when the challenges are within the optimal zone of difficulty, a bit on the edge. A challenge that appears to be within some reasonable reach if you put in the effort. And such little improvements and challenges can keep you engaged — achieving a flow state.

While formation of habits forms a large part of this book, the author also dwells on sustaining a habit. He says —

“the greatest threat to success is not failure but boredom. We tend to give up habits because they fail to delight us, after we form a routine. We desire novelty — bad habits are addictive because they constantly provide novelty. So we need to create variable rewards, so that there is a spike of dopamine and accelerates habit formation. The only way to become great is to fall in love with the habits everyday and learn to be endlessly fascinated by the same thing.”

― James Clear, Atomic Habits : Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results

 

I hope that you follow along this year as I share the books I read for personal, profession and spiritual growth!

Sincerely,
Jessica