Book Review: Atomic Habits by James Clear
I finally read one of the most hyped-up books on social media, and it sure was an interesting ride. I picked up James Clear’s bestseller in the heat of the summer, because well, I too was looking to find easy and proven ways to build good habits and break bad ones. A self-help book raved and reviewed by the masses felt like a good place to start.
Was it worth it? Did this book change my perspective on the way I live my life? Well, I’ll tell you all you need to know if you’re thinking of grabbing this title too – here is my honest opinion of Atomic Habits by James Clear:
James Clear’s idea of Atomic Habits is pretty simple to break down and easy to explain. He compares habits to atoms that each play an important part in the way we act and evolve. Instead of trying to create change in our lives in big ways, James suggests taking small, easy steps towards our goals regularly. Hence, the phrase Atomic Habits. The right way to change the way we act according to the writer is by transforming our inherent systems for change. In other words, the aim of focusing on Atomic Habits is to gradually make them stick to you so much they become your identity. A part of you that isn’t easy to shake off, kind of like your name. The more you do something, the more it becomes part of you or a reflection of how you see yourself.
Atomics Habit by James Clear aims to change the perspective about bad habits and dismantle the idea that maintaining good ones should be tedious or draining.
Be the designer of your world and not merely a consumer of it.
Atomic Habits by James Clear
To Read Or Not To Read?
I have a lot of thoughts to unpack. Let’s get into it!
If you’re contemplating picking up Atomic Habits, I wouldn’t discourage you from doing so.
I believe the concepts and ideas the book puts forward are not only helpful in a general sense but also useful in practical ways. The book is packed with examples and tips that help develop better habits you’ll want to stick to. It will definitely have you processing the way you go about your days differently. The desire to implement changes to your actions will only come naturally after you read James Clear’s words. Its pages will leave you analysing your daily routine in ways you didn’t before and searching for ways to improve it, perhaps by ‘habit-stacking’ and ‘habit tracking’.
For this reason, I understand why this book is an easy one to recommend to those looking to actively change their lives – or everyone really!
Atomic Habits is not a book without flaws though. Whilst James Clear effectively breaks down his thoughts in a very cohesive and constructive manner, they almost feel broken down to excess. A lot of concepts in the book are repeated countless times in different ways, and at certain points, it can feel like a dance around in circles. In addition to that, each chapter is then followed by a summary, and whilst I found the recap useful at times, it lent for even more repetition.
I think the concepts in this book could be tightened further and made shorter.
Most days, we’d rather be wrong with the crowd than be right by ourselves.
ATOMIC HABITS BY JAMES CLEAR
The writing was very direct, simple and plain allowing for quick comprehension, but in some ways that turned out to be both a blessing and a course. Going from page to page was breezy because there was never a need to look anything up or rethink the way things were worded. Admittedly, a self-help book cannot be too flowery or complex as it needs to ‘help’ and appeal to a wide variety of people who have different attitudes towards reading.
I get that. I do. However, sometimes James Clear’s writing read too much like a textbook and was a little uncreative in the way it was relayed to keep my attention.
So To Read Or Not To Read…?
I’d still recommend Atomic Habits by James Clear as I believe it does what it was intended to very well – help readers with thoughtful ways to set good habits. Whilst there are things about the book I would change, I believe the knowledge within it to be stronger than the things I disliked.
If you’re fighting bad habits or struggling to keep up with your good intentions for change, then it’s a no-brainer – you’ve got to read it.
Rachy’s Rating:
Your restless romantic roamer
