Atomic Habits and Me: A Book Giveway

I just finished James Clear’s Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones. I’m head over heals in love with this book.

As I read, habit after habit popped into my mind-those I want to get rid of and those I’d like to add.

Here’s a quick description of the book from the publisher: “Clear is known for his ability to distill complex topics into simple behaviors that can be easily applied to daily life and work. Here, he draws on the most proven ideas from biology, psychology, and neuroscience to create an easy-to-understand guide for making good habits inevitable and bad habits impossible.”

Visit James Clear’s website here. And here’s a link to a great get-started article by James.

As I write this post, I  have a list of forty-three  habits I’d like to either break or add. Wow!

When I tell my friends about my list, they say things like, “Isn’t that a bit excessive?” Another friend suggested such a long list implies a lack of self-esteem. Not true. I’m basically happy with myself, but there are for sure ways I’d like to change.

I’m pumped! I’m going to take it four at a time. When those four are conquered, I’ll add four more. So here we go with the first four:

Tea: I plan to limit my tea drinking to two cups. Since I put sugar in my tea, my three to five cup habit isn’t healthy. My cutback is mostly about sugar, but I do want to limit caffeine as well. My doctor says even morning caffeine can contribute to insomnia.

Interrupting: I have the rude habit of interrupting people. Enough said. Time to stop.

Scrolling Facebook: When I’m at odds as to what to do next, I scroll Facebook on my phone. I love Facebook. It’s been a great way for me to promote my art and this blog, and I’ve made wonderful connections with people near and far. But it’s definitely a time eater, and I’d love to reclaim some of that time for other activities.

Hand Weights: Although I walk about four miles a day, I haven’t been doing anything to build muscle, especially in my upper body. I need to use my hand weights. I’m also going to add resistance bands.

To help me remember the first four habits I’m working on, I’ve made them my laptop screensaver. Three are habits I want to eliminate and one is a habit I want to add. No clue yet which process is easiest.

I’m planning to chronicle my progress on Friend for the Ride. I’d love for some of you to join me. Choose a few habits of your own and see how you do in either eliminating a bad one or adding a good one. Guests posts welcome!

What’s spurring me on is visualizing my life a year from now. What if I’ve nailed the habits I’ve listed in this post? I’d be delighted. What if I can nail more? Fabulous!!

GIVEAWAY: I’m giving away copies of Atomic Habits to TWO lucky Friend for the Ride readers. For a chance to win, please enter a comment by August 1. Thanks!