Atomic Habits
The practical manual for building and breaking habits
Make it obvious, attractive, easy and satisfying: James Clear's four laws for behavior change, plus the argument that you should aim at identity rather than outcomes. It is deliberately mechanical, which is why people actually implement it. Most of the habit protocols elsewhere in this directory come from here.
People on record
Sorted by strength of stance
Does it: documented as part of their own routine. Recommends: explicitly advises other people to do it. Discusses: covered it substantively without clear personal adoption; this can include criticism or disagreement.
- Ali AbdaalRecommends
Doctor turned YouTuber · author of Feel-Good Productivity
No limit to who should read it, on his account, and he keeps public notes on the book.
Source: aliabdaal.com: Atomic Habits book notes - Chris WilliamsonRecommends
Host · Modern Wisdom
Called it his most recommended book of 2019 and hosted its author on the show.
Source: Modern Wisdom episode 64 with James Clear - James ClearRecommends
Author · Atomic Habits
Four laws of behavior change, and the argument for aiming at identity rather than outcomes: his own book.
Source: jamesclear.com: Atomic Habits - Rich RollRecommends
Ultra-endurance athlete · The Rich Roll Podcast
Another must-read on his list; he says he has used many of its strategies himself, and has hosted its author.
Source: The Rich Roll Podcast: episode with James Clear - Steven BartlettRecommends
Entrepreneur · The Diary of a CEO
Hosted its author, recommends the book, and returns to the four-laws framing when guests discuss behavior change.
Source: The Diary of a CEO: official episode feed - Simon SinekDiscusses
Author · Start with WHY
James Clear came on A Bit of Optimism in January 2024, and the two of them went through how better habits form and bad ones break. Sinek framed the episode around the New Year, when everyone aspires to a better version of themselves.
Source: A Bit of Optimism: Atomic Habits with author James Clear
Aimed at the same thing
Other entries filed under productivity.
- Book$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.
Deep Work
The case that uninterrupted concentration is a rare and valuable skill
On record from 6 of 62 tracked people: 5 recommend it, 1 has discussed it - Book$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.
The Daily Stoic
366 short Stoic passages with modern commentary, one per day
On record from 4 of 62 tracked people: 3 recommend it, 1 has discussed it - Book$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.
The Almanack of Naval Ravikant
Collected thinking on wealth, specific knowledge and happiness
On record from 3 of 62 tracked people: 3 recommend it - Book$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.
Can't Hurt Me
David Goggins's memoir: abuse, obesity, three Hell Weeks and the tools he built on the way
On record from 2 of 62 tracked people: 1 recommends it, 1 has discussed it - Book$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.
Ego Is the Enemy
Ryan Holiday on the ways self-importance wrecks aspiring, succeeding and failing
On record from 2 of 62 tracked people: 2 recommend it - Book$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.
Extreme Ownership
SEAL combat leadership principles applied to teams and business
On record from 2 of 62 tracked people: 1 recommends it, 1 has discussed it
Book entry · notes paraphrased from cited sources, quoted excerpts copied from the transcript they link to. Not medical advice. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or reviewed by anyone listed. How this works.