Atomic Habits & Me

Atomic Habits is a very famous book in the productivity circle and you might have heard multiple productivity gurus talk about it. I think I have mentioned this before that I have always disliked reading non-fiction. The book was suggested by a leader in my org and the valley of disappointment she talked about hit home so hard that I knew I had to read it. She also mentioned that it is a small book so that was another tally in the pro column.

Before going any further, the key points of cultivating a habit as per the book are

1. Cue - Make it obvious

2. Craving - Make it attractive

3. Response - Make it easy

4. Reward - Make it satisfying

I started reading the book the same way I read the other books. While travelling, while waiting in line, while eating and before going to sleep. And never did I go beyond 2/3 pages. I then hit the page where he talked about good habits and how to associate something difficult with something pleasing. Meanwhile, every morning I would wake up and drink my tea in a hurry while getting ready, scrolling through the phone or just daydreaming. I never used to read in the morning because I used to find fiction too fast-paced for early mornings. I also didn't want to start the day already engrossed in a fantasy story. To put the book's advice into work, I coupled the reading the book (that I dreaded) with something I love (aka enjoying my morning tea). I could see the difference instantly. I started looking forward to the morning reading sessions because it meant I could sit, devour my tea without any guilt. And that's how I built my morning reading habit. The habit started at my bed (so the friction would be minimal) and now I have a cosy corner in the balcony where I do the morning routine.

After reading the morning miracle, I have been able to build my morning routine around the same habit. I start with exercise (coz no brainer) and the tea and reading time post the exercise is my reward. I also have realized the importance of habit trackers (Habits) since I am literally writing this to make the "Scribe" section of habit green after a long streak of greys. So "Atomic Habits" is the book I have to thank for any of the non-fiction I have read so far.

Vani