5 Proven Habit Strategies to Transform Your Life (from the Best Books)

A single big idea can change your life when you take it and make it a habit.

And habits can change your life and shape your destiny.

As Ralph Waldo Emerson said:

“Sow a thought and you reap an action; sow an act and you reap a habit; sow a habit and you reap a character; sow a character and you reap a destiny.”

Below are five big ideas from some of the best books ever written on habits. Take them in, apply them, and create a habit that changes your life. 

Let's begin with...

Identity

Atomic Habits by James Clear

“But the true question is: ‘Are you becoming the type of person you want to become?’ The first step is not what or how, but who. You need to know who you want to be.”

You’ve heard of the book (a perennial bestseller) this idea comes from for a reason.

Here's how to put it into practice. 

Action Steps:

1. Write a short “identity statement” (e.g., I am a person who moves my body every day).
2. Choose one habit your future self would do without fail.
3. Each morning, ask: “What would that person do today?”

If you're not yet sure of precisely which habit to choose, the big ideas below will help. 

(Grab the book here, or view all five big ideas from this book for free here.)

Start TINY (Like, really small!)

Tiny Habits by B.J. Fogg

Once you get clear on who you need to be, make sure you start small, atomic, tiny.

Our favorite big idea from this one is, The Anatomy of Tiny Habits.

Here’s the A-B-C process on that, coming directly from this great book:

• Anchor: An existing routine (like brushing your teeth) or an event that happens (like a phone ringing). The Anchor Moment reminds you to do the new Tiny Behavior.
• Behavior: simple version of the new habit you want, such as flossing one tooth or doing two push-ups. You do the Tiny Behavior immediately after the Anchor Moment.
• Celebration: Something you do to create positive emotions, such as saying, ‘I did a good job!’ You celebrate immediately after doing the new Tiny Behavior.

Action Steps: 

1. Pick an anchor you already do daily (e.g., after brushing your teeth).
2. Reduce your habit to the tiniest version of that behavior (e.g., floss one tooth).
3. Celebrate every time you complete that tiny action by saying “That's like me!” or say “I’m awesome!”

(Grab the book here, or view all four big ideas from this book for free here.)

Find your keystone habit

The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg

A keystone habit is the habit that can trigger positive changes that spread to all areas of your life.

What’s the habit that, if you were to change it, would have the greatest positive impact on your life?

Is it quitting smoking? No longer drinking? Drastically reducing your social media time? Starting daily exercise? Meditating every day?

Action Steps:

1. Identify one habit that would have the biggest ripple effect (e.g., daily exercise).
2. Start with a 5–10 minute version to make it stick.
3. Track your progress and notice the side benefits.

(Grab the book here, or view all nine (!!!) big ideas from this book for free here.)

Absolutely never skip twice

Superhuman by Habit by Tynan

This fourth big idea is so important because although you now have the wisdom to effectively install habits, you won't be perfect. That's okay, but keep in mind...

“If missing one day reduces your chances of long-term success by a small amount like five percent, missing two days reduces it by forty percent or so.

Action Steps: 

1. If you haven't yet, select a habit you want to install. 
2. When you miss completing your habit, commit to doing it the next day.
3. Show up that next day and do it. 

Absolutely do not skip twice.

And you'll be on your way to creating compounding gains.

(Grab this book here, or view all nine big ideas from this book for free here.)

Let the compound effect work for you

The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy

What starts as a tiny or atomic habit has the ability to compound over time.

The example from this book that best shows the power of compounding is the story of Magic Pennies.

Two choices: You can have $3 million in cash today or, I’ll give you a penny and double it every day for 31 days. Which would you prefer?

If you chose to take a doubling penny for 31 days, you get to walk away with $10,737,418.24.

As Darren says:

“Very few things are as amazingly impressive as the ‘magic’ of compounding pennies. Amazingly, this “force” is equally powerful in every area of your life.”

Action Steps: 

1. Expand your sense of possibility for the positive impact that can be created when you consistently complete the habit you've chosen. 
2. Again, focus on consistency, not speed or being perfect. You're playing the long game.
3. Review and celebrate your progress monthly to see how habits compound over time.

Your potential is unknowable and it can start with a habit. Which one will you start today?

(Grab the book here, or view all nine big ideas from this book for free here.)