Dear friends,
For the past week I’ve been learning about the life-changing possibilities of developing great habits. I just finished reading a truly inspiring book, and can’t wait to share it with you.
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones by James Clear makes a compelling case for the power of good routines and positive habit formation.
Backed up by an abundance of science and real-life examples, Mr. Clear shares specific ways to start doing the things we want to do (and stop doing the things that harm us).
Mr. Clear says the key to developing great habits is to make the tasks:
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- Obvious
- Attractive
- Easy
- Satisfying
For example, let’s say I want to get in the habit of drinking 64 ounces of water each day. Using these principles, I might do these things:
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- Keep the water container on the credenza next to my desk so it’s obvious.
- Get an attractive water bottle and a sweat-proof coaster. Fill the bottle with filtered water and ice, and perhaps enhance it with a lemon wedge or cucumber slices.
- Sip the water throughout each hour so it’s easy.
- Log the water on my FitBit, so when I accomplish the goal each day it’s satisfying.
Win Your Own Copy of Atomic Habits
Because I’m such a fan of this engaging book, I’m giving away a brand-new hardback copy to a lucky reader.
To be entered in the giveaway, simply leave a comment on this page and answer this question:
What habit would you love to start practicing every day?
I’ll share mine first. I’d really like to exercise faithfully each and every day. Writing and blogging are sedentary activities, and I need to make sure that regular movement is a part of every day. Using the tips I learned in James Clear’s book, I hope to make this a lifelong habit.
Atomic Habits is 320 pages and retails for $27.00 USD. The giveaway is open to anyone with a U.S. or Canadian shipping address, and will run through Friday, September 10, 2021 at midnight MST. I’ll announce the lucky winner on Monday, September 13.
Good luck and best always,
P.S. You might also enjoy Joshua Becker’s short video, “Title” Here’s what he said about good habits: “If you want to change your life, start by changing one thing that you do every day.”
I want to consistently meditate daily.
I want to start doing a daily pickup of the house before bed.
I would love to stay motivated with projects and life in general without guilt
I’d like to have a consistent morning routine.
I want to try to keep up the daily exercise routine given to me by a physical therapist.
I have a couple: Drink 8+ glasses of water daily. Walk/exercise daily. Meditate ♀️ daily.
Book sounds fabulous, it’s going on my “must read” list!
I want to be more mindful of living simply
Start doing something creative every day. I am a ceramic artist and don’t always make enough time to be creative.
I would like to meditate every day and learn to ground myself !
drink more water (hopefully 2L) every day
My health has gone south as they say. I need to change everything. I really need to read something to get me started. With every thing that is going on in this world today we need some good. Glad to see you back. God bless
I would love to get back into my daily workout routine I had to stop 2 years ago after I had to have surgery. This book is on my to read list, just haven’t been able to purchase it yet.
I would love to be in the habit of putting my phone down! Less screen time! Lol
Say, “I love you.” in an appropriate context each day. Exercise for the spirit.
I only recently started membership of Pilatesology (fitness with a non-annoying instructor!!) and I really want to stick with it for a year. Although I’m disappointed about weight gain in 20201, it’s not just about weight, but about strengthening my back, my knees, my hips, my neck, and I think all of those, sadly has been damaged by my daily use of a computer.
Making sure I express my gratitude by regularly saying “thank you” to those in my lives.
I would love to consistently take time for myself and meditate every day.
Consistent prayer life. So many need prayer and I have been blessed to stay well and healthy.
I want to be more patient in my everyday life
I would love to incorporate daily movement. Yoga, walking, etc.
This is the second time someone has mentioned this book today. I looked it up on Amazon earlier today. What a fabulous book.
I would love to start and follow through with a consistent meditation practice.
I would like to start meditating every day.
I would love to actually make the time to exercise or medidate daily, vs. just saying I will!