Atomic Habits
"Goals are good for setting a direction, but systems are best for making progress."
— James Clear, Atomic Habits (2018)
Introduction
| Atomic Habits | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Full title | Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones |
| Author | James Clear |
| Language | English |
| Subject | Habit formation; Behavior change; Personal development |
| Genre | Nonfiction; Self-help |
| Publisher | Avery |
Publication date | 16 October 2018 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (hardcover, paperback); e-book; audiobook |
| Pages | 306 |
| ISBN | 978-0-7352-1129-2 |
| Goodreads rating | 4.3/5 (as of 3 November 2025) |
| Website | jamesclear.com |
Atomic Habits is a nonfiction book by James Clear. The first U.S. edition was published by Avery on 16 October 2018 (ISBN 978-0-7352-1129-2); the hardcover is cataloged at ix, 306 pages.[1][2]
Chapter summary
This outline follows the Avery hardcover edition (2018; ISBN 978-0-7352-1129-2).[2]
I – The Fundamentals: Why Tiny Changes Make a Big Difference
⚛️ 1 – The Surprising Power of Atomic Habits.
🪞 2 – How Your Habits Shape Your Identity (and Vice Versa).
🧩 3 – How to Build Better Habits in 4 Simple Steps.
II – The 1st Law: Make It Obvious
👁️ 4 – The Man Who Didn't Look Right.
🏁 5 – The Best Way to Start a New Habit.
🏠 6 – Motivation Is Overrated: Environment Often Matters More.
🔒 7 – The Secret to Self-Control.
III – The 2nd Law: Make It Attractive
🧲 8 – How to Make a Habit Irresistible.
👥 9 – The Role of Family and Friends in Shaping Your Habits.
🔧 10 – How to Find and Fix the Causes of Your Bad Habits.
IV – The 3rd Law: Make It Easy
🐢 11 – Walk Slowly, but Never Backward.
🪶 12 – The Law of Least Effort.
⏱️ 13 – How to Stop Procrastinating by Using the Two-Minute Rule.
🔄 14 – How to Make Good Habits Inevitable and Bad Habits Impossible.
V – The 4th Law: Make It Satisfying
🧭 15 – The Cardinal Rule of Behavior Change.
📅 16 – How to Stick with Good Habits Every Day.
🤝 17 – How an Accountability Partner Can Change Everything.
VI – Advanced Tactics: How to Go from Being Merely Good to Being Truly Great
🧬 18 – The Truth About Talent (When Genes Matter and When They Don't).
🎯 19 – The Goldilocks Rule: How to Stay Motivated in Life and Work.
⚠️ 20 – The Downside of Creating Good Habits.
Related content & more
YouTube videos
CapSach articles
References
- ↑ "Atomic Habits by James Clear". Penguin Random House. Penguin Random House. 16 October 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Atomic habits — contents & bibliographic record". Steamboat Springs Community Library (Marmot Library Network). Retrieved 3 November 2025.