The Top 5 Must-Read Habit Books

If you're looking for lasting change, then these are the books to read 📚

March 25, 2023

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6 min

It's no secret that we all have our fair share of good and bad habits. Some of us might have the habit of hitting the snooze button one too many times, while others might have the habit of always eating breakfast before starting their day.

Habits, big or small, shape our lives and determine our outcomes.

That's why a whole genre of books is dedicated to forming and maintaining healthy habits!

From Charles Duhigg's "The Power of Habit" to James Clear's "Atomic Habits," these books offer valuable insights into improving our daily routines and becoming better versions of ourselves.

Here are my top 5 👇

Top 5 Books

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The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg

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The Habit Loop

Duhigg's "The Power of Habit" is a groundbreaking book introducing readers to the "habit loop."

This loop is composed of three parts: the cue, the routine, and the reward.

The cue is the trigger that sets the habit in motion, the routine is the behavior itself, and the reward is the positive reinforcement that encourages the habit to continue.

Understanding this loop is crucial to breaking bad habits and forming good ones.

Keystone Habits

Keystone habits have a ripple effect on other areas of our lives.

For example, if you regularly exercise, you may also find that you have improved productivity at work and a better mood overall.

Duhigg's book explores the power of keystone habits and how they can transform our lives for the better.

Real-Life Applications

One of the best things about "The Power of Habit" is its real-life applications.

Duhigg provides examples of individuals and companies successfully using the habit loop to achieve their goals.

For instance, he tells the story of Alcoa, a struggling aluminum manufacturer whose new CEO implemented a company-wide focus on safety.

The company achieved record profits by using the habit loop to change their safety habits.

Duhigg's book shows that habits are powerful tools that we can use to improve every aspect of our lives.

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Atomic Habits by James Clear

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The 1% Rule

James Clear's "Atomic Habits" introduces readers to the 1% rule, which is about making small daily improvements.

The idea is that even small changes can add up to big results over time.

We can achieve long-term success by making tiny, incremental improvements to our habits.

The Four Laws of Behavior Change - Like Newton's Laws, but for Habits

Clear's book also introduces the four laws of behavior change: cue, craving, response, and reward.

These laws explain the process of habit formation and how we can use it to our advantage.

By understanding these laws, we can change our habits and have those changes stick.

Real-Life Applications

"Atomic Habits" provides readers with a wealth of real-life applications of its concepts.

Clear shares stories of individuals who have successfully changed their habits, from a man who lost over 100 pounds to a woman who quit smoking.

By showing us what's possible, Clear inspires readers to make positive changes in their own lives.

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Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg

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The Power of Tiny Habits - Small Changes, Big Results

BJ Fogg's "Tiny Habits" is all about the power of making small, manageable changes to our habits.

Fogg argues that by starting small, we can build momentum and make lasting changes to our behavior.

The key is focusing on easy habits, such as flossing one tooth or doing one push-up daily.

By starting with tiny habits, we can build the confidence and motivation to take on bigger challenges.

The ABCs of Behavior

Fogg's book introduces readers to the ABCs of behavior: A stands for antecedent (the trigger that sets the behavior in motion), B stands for behavior (the action itself), and C stands for consequence (the reward or outcome of the behavior).

By understanding these three components of behavior, we can subscribe to better habits.

Tiny Habits in Action

"Tiny Habits" is full of real-life examples of individuals who have successfully changed their behavior using Fogg's approach.

Fogg's book shows us that tiny habits can lead to big changes, from one woman who started flossing one tooth daily to another who built a meditation practice by starting with a deep breath.

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Better Than Before by Gretchen Rubin

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The Four Tendencies - What Kind of Habit-former Are You?

Gretchen Rubin's "Better Than Before" introduces the four tendencies: upholder, questioner, obliger, and rebel.

Each tendency responds differently to expectations, which can greatly impact habit formation.

By understanding our tendencies, we can tailor our approach to habit formation for maximum success.

Keystone Habits - The Secret to Success

Rubin's book also introduces readers to the concept of keystone habits.

These habits have a ripple effect on our lives, leading to positive changes in other areas.

For example, exercise might be a keystone habit for someone, leading to mood, energy, and productivity improvements.

By identifying our keystone habits, we can make changes to our lives that have a big impact.

Make Good Habits Easy and Bad Habits Hard

"Better Than Before" also emphasizes the importance of convenience in habit formation.

Rubin argues that we can make good habits easier to form by making them more convenient and making bad habits harder by making them less convenient.

For example, if we want to exercise in the morning, we might lay out our workout clothes the night before to make it easier to get started.

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The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy

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The Compound Effect

Darren Hardy's "The Compound Effect" emphasizes the power of small choices in shaping our lives.

According to Hardy, every action we take, no matter how small, has a cumulative effect over time.

We can achieve big, long-term results by making small, positive changes to our habits and routines.

The Law of Momentum

One of the key concepts in "The Compound Effect" is the law of momentum.

Hardy argues that it becomes easier to keep going once we get started on a positive path.

The key is to build momentum through small wins and to avoid backsliding into old habits.

By staying committed and focused on our goals, we can maintain the momentum we need to achieve lasting change.

The Power of Accountability - Getting Support from Others

Another important aspect of habit formation, according to Hardy, is accountability.

Sharing our goals with others and getting support from friends or family members can increase our chances of success.

Whether through a workout buddy or an accountability partner, having someone else to answer to can make all the difference.

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What Next?

We've covered five of the best habit books out there, each with its own unique take on the art of habit-forming.

These books teach us that forming good habits is not just about willpower or discipline - it's about understanding how habits work and taking small, consistent actions to create lasting change.

By reading habit books, we can gain valuable insights into human behavior and learn practical strategies for forming habits that stick.

Once you finish these habit-building books, then head over to the reading list for your next read. Consider picking up one of these books as a resource to help you become a more self-sufficient adult.

And of course, don’t forget to subscribe to the blog!

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