🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 166 (from laksa123)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa166.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://giftedguru.com/atomic-habits-book-review/\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://giftedguru.com/atomic-habits-book-review/\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/atomic-habits-book-review\/","crawl_time":1775909241,"first_indexed_time":1689027944,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,giftedguru!\/atomic-habits-book-review\/ s443","src_root_hash":"13486727370551411966","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Atomic Habits – Book Review – Gifted Guru","meta_descriptions":[],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Atomic Habits\nby James Clear is a book I’d had recommended to me frequently, and as part of my\n101 Goals in 1001 Days\n, I was plowing through some business books I’ve in my TBR (to be read) pile.\nThe basic premise of\nAtomic Habits\nThe fundamental idea of the book is that we all have small habits that either move us forward towards our goals or away from our goals. These habits are often based in systems that work for us or against us.\nClear breaks this apart into some key ideas that I think have terrific applicaton for parents and teachers, and I specifically love how some of the ideas push back against perfectionistic tendencies (since I literally wrote\nthe book\non perfectionism!).\nGreat Idea #1\nIf you are looking for results, focus less on goals and more on systems.\nBecause I see everything through the lens of school and home, I thought a lot about what systems are in place that help students (and hurt) and what systems are in place in most homes.\nThis line really stood out to me: You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems. Ouch.\nI literally felt my gut twist when I thought about how much more I could have done to set up systems in my classroom (and my home) to make it more likely that students would be successful and that my kids would pick up their rooms.\nGreat Idea #2\nIf you want a habit to take hold, there are four rules: 1) make it obvious, 2) make it attractive, 3) make it easy, and 4) make it satisfying. Clear calls this the “Four Laws of Behavior Change.”\nI’m not sure if he invented that title or not, but that’s what it’s called in the book.\nTo make it obvious, he suggests thinking about time and location. When and where will you do this habit?\nOne of my goals was to reach the expert level in Duolingo in German. (Want to be my friend in Duolingo? Click\nhere\n.)\nI decided to attach it to my scripture reading and journaling habit that already exist every morning. When I’m done with them, I just added Duolingo to the pattern.\nClear calls this “habit stacking.”\nThis idea wasn’t new to me – I’d actually written about BJ Fogg’s\nTiny Habits\nin my\nPerfectionism\nbook. I just liked Clear’s style of explaining it and tying it to other pieces that I think worked really well together.\nGreat Idea #3\nIt’s about trajectory, not current status. Ask yourself, “If I keep going in this direction, where will I end up?”\nI love that because it is forgiving. If you are someone you don’t want to be, you focus on what change you can make right now, today, that will shift the trajectory a little bit.\nI used this to improve my system for becoming someone who can do 50 push-ups.\nInstead of just saying, “I have a goal to do 50 push-ups, but I’m such a loser that I can barely do one good push-up,” I said, “I’m someone who does push-ups” and every day I started doing push-ups right before I got in the shower.\nI’m up to 13 now, and the trajectory ends at 50 (or more). I don’t worry that I can’t do 50 now, or that I missed a day. I think about how I am on the right trajectory. I get super happy when I think about where I will be as I keep following this path.\nGreat Idea #4\nThe most effective way to change your habits is to focus not on what you want to achieve, but on who you wish to become.\nOh, man, this idea was transformational for me.\nI used the idea when I talked with Max about his grades and school habits (\nread that article\n).\nInstead of thinking about how he has to keep a calendar and do homework, I invited him to consider thinking about whether he wanted to be someone who is responsible about maintaining his schedule, and because of that, the people around him are relaxed and free of anxiety\nor\nif he wanted to be someone whose refusal to manage his schedule and assignments causes stress and anxiety for those around him.\nI also used it when I was considering my goals for my 101 in 1001 days project. If you look at\nthat page\n, you’ll see this:\nMy desires for the project overall were to:\nBecome a stronger, more diverse reader\nBecome a more confident German speaker\nBecome someone who could save a life\nBecome someone who has a strong understanding of physical geography of states and nation-states\nBecome someone who has a broader knowledge of scriptures in my mind\nThe goals weren’t about achieving a certain thing, but rather becoming a certain person.\nClear says, “If you’re having trouble determining how to rate a particular habit, ask yourself: ‘Does this behavior help me become the type of person I wish to be? Does this habit cast a vote for or against my desired identity?’”\nIsn’t that powerful? Our habits are votes we cast for or against desired identity. Wow. I can’t describe how that struck me.\nConsider:\nIs the way I speak with students a vote for or against my desired identity?\nIs my attitude toward professional development\na vote for or against my desired identity?\nIs the email I sent to parents\/teachers a vote for or against my desired identity?\nGreat Idea #5\nLast one (in my list – in the book, the hits just keep on comin’): Environment is the invisible hand that shapes human behavior.\nThere are so many ways we can make our environments work for or against us, especially when we consider that people are a part of our environment.\nI decided to make some changes in my environment, although I’m not sure Clear would agree with the way I decided to do that (eat all of the ice cream to get it out of the house, for example).\nI really do think it’s a solution that’s so obvious that we may underappreciate it.\nInterested in\nAtomic Habits\n?\nJames Clear has a\nwebsite\nabout the book with printables and other information\nYou can grab the book on\nAmazon\nWrapping Up\nWorth Reading Rating: 5\nYou can learn more about my Worth Reading Rating System \nhere\n.\nLooking for other great reads? I’ve got reviews on other books like:\nDeep Work\nby Cal Newport\nWhy Don’t Students Like School\nby Dan Willingham\nThe Boys in the Boat\n (If you haven’t read this, just stop your life and go read it.\nNote: Sometimes I use affiliate links, which means that if you click through and buy something, I get a few pennies (to buy more books!). It will never cost you anything extra.","attrs_markdown":"[Skip to content](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/atomic-habits-book-review\/#content \"Skip to content\")\n\n[![](data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20600%20600'%3E%3C\/svg%3E)![](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/gifted-guru-icon-light.png)](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/)\n\n- [Learn](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/atomic-habits-book-review\/)\n  - [Depth and Complexity](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/depth-complexity\/)\n  - [Speaking](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/speaking\/)\n  - [Courses](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/professional-development-courses\/)\n  - [Classes](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/english-class\/)\n  - [Books by Lisa](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/books\/)\n  - [Book Reviews](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/book-review\/)\n  - [For Administrators](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/administrators\/)\n  - [Subscribe](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/subscribe\/)\n- [Blog](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/blog\/)\n  - [Parents](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/parenting\/)\n  - [Teachers](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/teaching\/)\n  - [Administrators](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/administrators\/)\n  - [Gifted Youth](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/resources-for-gifted-youth\/)\n  - [By Topic](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/blog)\n    - [Advocacy](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/advocacy\/)\n    - [Depth and Complexity](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/depth-complexity\/)\n    - [Differentiation](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/differentiation\/)\n    - [Teaching](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/teaching\/)\n    - [Parenting](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/parenting\/)\n    - [Emotional Needs](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/social-and-emotional-needs\/)\n  - [Vocabulary Instruction](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/vocabulary\/)\n- [Shop](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/atomic-habits-book-review\/)\n  - [Books by Lisa](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/books\/)\n  - [Free Resources](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/resources\/)\n  - [TpT Resources](https:\/\/www.teacherspayteachers.com\/Store\/Gifted-Guru)\n  - [Amazon Must Haves](https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/shop\/gifted_guru)\n- [About](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/atomic-habits-book-review\/)\n  - [About Lisa](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/about\/)\n  - [Speaking](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/speaking\/)\n  - [Books by Lisa](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/books\/)\n  - [Subscribe](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/subscribe\/)\n\n- [Learn](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/atomic-habits-book-review\/)\n  - [Depth and Complexity](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/depth-complexity\/)\n  - [Speaking](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/speaking\/)\n  - [Courses](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/professional-development-courses\/)\n  - [Classes](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/english-class\/)\n  - [Books by Lisa](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/books\/)\n  - [Book Reviews](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/book-review\/)\n  - [For Administrators](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/administrators\/)\n  - [Subscribe](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/subscribe\/)\n- [Blog](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/blog\/)\n  - [Parents](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/parenting\/)\n  - [Teachers](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/teaching\/)\n  - [Administrators](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/administrators\/)\n  - [Gifted Youth](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/resources-for-gifted-youth\/)\n  - [By Topic](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/blog)\n    - [Advocacy](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/advocacy\/)\n    - [Depth and Complexity](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/depth-complexity\/)\n    - [Differentiation](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/differentiation\/)\n    - [Teaching](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/teaching\/)\n    - [Parenting](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/parenting\/)\n    - [Emotional Needs](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/social-and-emotional-needs\/)\n  - [Vocabulary Instruction](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/vocabulary\/)\n- [Shop](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/atomic-habits-book-review\/)\n  - [Books by Lisa](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/books\/)\n  - [Free Resources](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/resources\/)\n  - [TpT Resources](https:\/\/www.teacherspayteachers.com\/Store\/Gifted-Guru)\n  - [Amazon Must Haves](https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/shop\/gifted_guru)\n- [About](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/atomic-habits-book-review\/)\n  - [About Lisa](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/about\/)\n  - [Speaking](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/speaking\/)\n  - [Books by Lisa](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/books\/)\n  - [Subscribe](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/subscribe\/)\n\n[![](data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201120%20172'%3E%3C\/svg%3E)![](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/gifted-guru-primary-logo.png)](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/)\n\n### [COURSES](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/professional-development-courses\/)\n### [Parents](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/resources-for-parents\/)\n### [EDUCATORS](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/resources-for-educators\/)\n### [Subscribe](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/subscribe\/)\n\n# Atomic Habits – Book Review\n[![gifted guru book club - atomic habits](data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20768%20768'%3E%3C\/svg%3E)![gifted guru book club - atomic habits](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/atomic-habits.png)](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/atomic-habits-book-review\/)\n\n*[Atomic Habits](https:\/\/amzn.to\/2GR3pg5)* by James Clear is a book I’d had recommended to me frequently, and as part of my [101 Goals in 1001 Days](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/101-in-1001\/), I was plowing through some business books I’ve in my TBR (to be read) pile.\n\n### The basic premise of *Atomic Habits*\nThe fundamental idea of the book is that we all have small habits that either move us forward towards our goals or away from our goals. These habits are often based in systems that work for us or against us.\n\nClear breaks this apart into some key ideas that I think have terrific applicaton for parents and teachers, and I specifically love how some of the ideas push back against perfectionistic tendencies (since I literally wrote [the book](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/books\/perfectionism\/) on perfectionism!).\n\n### Great Idea \\#1\nIf you are looking for results, focus less on goals and more on systems.\n\nBecause I see everything through the lens of school and home, I thought a lot about what systems are in place that help students (and hurt) and what systems are in place in most homes.\n\nThis line really stood out to me: You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems. Ouch.\n\nI literally felt my gut twist when I thought about how much more I could have done to set up systems in my classroom (and my home) to make it more likely that students would be successful and that my kids would pick up their rooms.\n\n### Great Idea \\#2\nIf you want a habit to take hold, there are four rules: 1) make it obvious, 2) make it attractive, 3) make it easy, and 4) make it satisfying. Clear calls this the “Four Laws of Behavior Change.”\n\nI’m not sure if he invented that title or not, but that’s what it’s called in the book.\n\nTo make it obvious, he suggests thinking about time and location. When and where will you do this habit?\n\nOne of my goals was to reach the expert level in Duolingo in German. (Want to be my friend in Duolingo? Click [here](https:\/\/www.duolingo.com\/LisainTexas).)\n\nI decided to attach it to my scripture reading and journaling habit that already exist every morning. When I’m done with them, I just added Duolingo to the pattern.\n\nClear calls this “habit stacking.”\n\nThis idea wasn’t new to me – I’d actually written about BJ Fogg’s [Tiny Habits](https:\/\/www.tinyhabits.com\/) in my *[Perfectionism](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/books\/perfectionism\/)* book. I just liked Clear’s style of explaining it and tying it to other pieces that I think worked really well together.\n\n### Great Idea \\#3\nIt’s about trajectory, not current status. Ask yourself, “If I keep going in this direction, where will I end up?”\n\nI love that because it is forgiving. If you are someone you don’t want to be, you focus on what change you can make right now, today, that will shift the trajectory a little bit.\n\nI used this to improve my system for becoming someone who can do 50 push-ups.\n\nInstead of just saying, “I have a goal to do 50 push-ups, but I’m such a loser that I can barely do one good push-up,” I said, “I’m someone who does push-ups” and every day I started doing push-ups right before I got in the shower.\n\nI’m up to 13 now, and the trajectory ends at 50 (or more). I don’t worry that I can’t do 50 now, or that I missed a day. I think about how I am on the right trajectory. I get super happy when I think about where I will be as I keep following this path.\n\n### Great Idea \\#4\nThe most effective way to change your habits is to focus not on what you want to achieve, but on who you wish to become.\n\nOh, man, this idea was transformational for me.\n\nI used the idea when I talked with Max about his grades and school habits ([read that article](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/underachiever-on-track)).\n\n> Instead of thinking about how he has to keep a calendar and do homework, I invited him to consider thinking about whether he wanted to be someone who is responsible about maintaining his schedule, and because of that, the people around him are relaxed and free of anxiety **or** if he wanted to be someone whose refusal to manage his schedule and assignments causes stress and anxiety for those around him.\n\nI also used it when I was considering my goals for my 101 in 1001 days project. If you look at [that page](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/101-in-1001\/), you’ll see this:\n\nMy desires for the project overall were to:\n\n- Become a stronger, more diverse reader\n- Become a more confident German speaker\n- Become someone who could save a life\n- Become someone who has a strong understanding of physical geography of states and nation-states\n- Become someone who has a broader knowledge of scriptures in my mind\n\nThe goals weren’t about achieving a certain thing, but rather becoming a certain person.\n\nClear says, “If you’re having trouble determining how to rate a particular habit, ask yourself: ‘Does this behavior help me become the type of person I wish to be? Does this habit cast a vote for or against my desired identity?’”\n\nIsn’t that powerful? Our habits are votes we cast for or against desired identity. Wow. I can’t describe how that struck me.\n\nConsider:\n\n- Is the way I speak with students a vote for or against my desired identity?\n- Is my attitude toward professional development   \n  a vote for or against my desired identity?\n- Is the email I sent to parents\/teachers a vote for or against my desired identity?\n### Great Idea \\#5\nLast one (in my list – in the book, the hits just keep on comin’): Environment is the invisible hand that shapes human behavior.\n\nThere are so many ways we can make our environments work for or against us, especially when we consider that people are a part of our environment.\n\nI decided to make some changes in my environment, although I’m not sure Clear would agree with the way I decided to do that (eat all of the ice cream to get it out of the house, for example).\n\nI really do think it’s a solution that’s so obvious that we may underappreciate it.\n\n### Interested in *Atomic Habits*?\n- James Clear has a [website](https:\/\/jamesclear.com\/atomic-habits) about the book with printables and other information\n- You can grab the book on [Amazon](https:\/\/amzn.to\/2VDN8o9)\n### Wrapping Up\nWorth Reading Rating: 5\n\nYou can learn more about my Worth Reading Rating System [here](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/worth-reading-rating-system\/).\n\nLooking for other great reads? I’ve got reviews on other books like:\n\n- [Deep Work](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/the-talent-code-book-review\/) by Cal Newport\n- [Why Don’t Students Like School](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/students-do-not-like-school\/) by Dan Willingham\n- [The Boys in the Boat](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/boys_in_the_boat\/) (If you haven’t read this, just stop your life and go read it.\n\n![lisa's signature](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/signature.png)\n\nNote: Sometimes I use affiliate links, which means that if you click through and buy something, I get a few pennies (to buy more books!). It will never cost you anything extra.\n\n###### Share it:\nEmail\n\nFacebook\n\nPinterest\n\nTwitter\n\n- Read more about:   [Book Reviews](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/book-review\/)\n\n[PrevPreviousSummer Learning Lures: The Alternative to the Summer Assignment](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/summer-learning-lures\/)\n\n[NextThe Epic Teacher Resource ListNext](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/epic-teacher-resource-list\/)\n### You might also like...\n[![](data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20400%20400'%3E%3C\/svg%3E) ![](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/print-on-post-it-featured-400x400.png)](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/how-to-print-on-post-it-notes\/)\n\n### [How to Print on Post-it® Notes](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/how-to-print-on-post-it-notes\/)\n\n[![](data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20400%20400'%3E%3C\/svg%3E) ![](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/5-types-of-questions-400x400.png)](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/the-5-types-of-questions-every-teacher-should-be-asking\/)\n\n### [The 5 Types of Questions Every Teacher Should be Asking](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/the-5-types-of-questions-every-teacher-should-be-asking\/)\n\n[![](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Frayer-Model-featured-image-400x400.png)](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/using-the-frayer-model-to-teach-vocabulary-concepts\/)\n\n### [Using The Frayer Model to Teach Vocabulary Concepts](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/using-the-frayer-model-to-teach-vocabulary-concepts\/)\n\n![](data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20341%20341'%3E%3C\/svg%3E)![](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Lisa-Van-Gemert-professional-development-400x400.png)\n\nHi! I’m Lisa. I love sharing tips and ideas to help educators and parents of bright kiddos. Here you’ll find tons of resources to help make the world safe for gifted kids.\n\n[Learn More](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/about\/)\n## Find What You Need\n## Let’s Connect\n[Instagram](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/thegiftedguru\/)     [Youtube](https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@LisaVanGemert)     [Facebook](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/GiftedGuru)     [Pinterest](https:\/\/pinterest.com\/lisavangemert)     [Shopping-cart](https:\/\/lisavangemert.gumroad.com\/)     [Amazon](https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/shop\/gifted_guru)\n\n#### Get 15 Ways to Help Gifted Kids Thrive in School\nIdeas that work for lots of kids, so everyone will find ideas they can apply right away\\!\n\n## Browse the Blog\n- [Activities](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/teaching\/activities\/)\n- [Advocacy](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/advocacy\/)\n- [Book Reviews](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/book-review\/)\n- [Classroom Library](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/teaching\/classroom-library\/)\n- [Depth and Complexity](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/depth-complexity\/)\n- [Differentiating Content](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/differentiation\/differentiating-conten\/)\n- [Differentiating Product](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/differentiation\/differentiating-product\/)\n- [Differentiation](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/differentiation\/)\n- [Ed Tech](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/teaching\/technology\/)\n- [Excellent Teaching](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/teaching\/)\n- [Executive Functioning](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/teaching\/executive-functioning\/)\n- [Free Resources](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/resource-library\/)\n- [Gifted Education](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/advocacy\/gifted-ed\/)\n- [Holidays](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/teaching\/holidays\/)\n- [Homeschooling](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/parenting\/homeschooling\/)\n- [Identification and Testing](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/advocacy\/identification-and-testing\/)\n- [Intensities and Excitabilities](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/social-and-emotional-needs\/intensities-and-excitabilities\/)\n- [Interview with a Gifted Kid](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/advocacy\/interview-with-a-gifted-kid\/)\n- [Language Arts](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/differentiation\/language-arts\/)\n- [Lesson Plans and Resources](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/teaching\/lesson-plans-and-resources\/)\n- [Parenting](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/parenting\/)\n- [Pedagogy & Practice](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/teaching\/pedagogy-and-practice\/)\n- [Personal Development & Habits](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/social-and-emotional-needs\/personal-development-and-habits\/)\n- [Policy](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/advocacy\/policy\/)\n- [Professional Development](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/teaching\/professional-development\/)\n- [Reader Q\\&A](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/parenting\/reader-qa\/)\n- [Reading Strategies](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/teaching\/reading-strategies\/)\n- [Recommended Resources](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/recommended-resources\/)\n- [Social & Emotional Needs](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/social-and-emotional-needs\/)\n- [Vocabulary](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/teaching\/vocabulary-ideas\/)\n- [Vocabulary Instruction](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/vocabulary\/)\n- [Young Gifted](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/young-gifted\/)\n\n![](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/gifted-guru-stacked-logo-400x400.png)\n\n[Instagram](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/thegiftedguru\/)     [Youtube](https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@LisaVanGemert)     [Facebook](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/GiftedGuru)     [Pinterest](https:\/\/pinterest.com\/lisavangemert)     [Shopping-cart](https:\/\/lisavangemert.gumroad.com\/)     [Amazon](https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/shop\/gifted_guru)\n\n### Browse the Blog\n- [Advocacy](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/advocacy\/)\n- [Depth and Complexity](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/depth-complexity\/)\n- [Differentiation](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/differentiation\/)\n- [Excellent Teaching](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/teaching\/)\n- [Parenting](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/parenting\/)\n- [Social & Emotional Needs](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/social-and-emotional-needs\/)\n- [Free Resources](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/resources\/)\n\n- [Advocacy](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/advocacy\/)\n- [Depth and Complexity](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/depth-complexity\/)\n- [Differentiation](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/differentiation\/)\n- [Excellent Teaching](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/teaching\/)\n- [Parenting](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/parenting\/)\n- [Social & Emotional Needs](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/category\/social-and-emotional-needs\/)\n- [Free Resources](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/resources\/)\n\n### Important Links\n- [Disclosure & Comments Policy](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/disclosure\/)\n- [Privacy Policy](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/disclosure\/privacy\/)\n- [Affiliate Disclosure](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/disclosure\/affiliate-disclosure\/)\n- [Trademark](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/about\/trademark\/)\n\n- [Disclosure & Comments Policy](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/disclosure\/)\n- [Privacy Policy](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/disclosure\/privacy\/)\n- [Affiliate Disclosure](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/disclosure\/affiliate-disclosure\/)\n- [Trademark](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/about\/trademark\/)\n\n#### Free Classroom Coupons\nThese super fun, editable student coupons let you recognize students with dozens of little (free) ideas for things they love.\n\n[© Gifted Guru](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/)","attrs_readable_markdown":"[![gifted guru book club - atomic habits](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/atomic-habits.png)](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/atomic-habits-book-review\/)\n\n*[Atomic Habits](https:\/\/amzn.to\/2GR3pg5)* by James Clear is a book I’d had recommended to me frequently, and as part of my [101 Goals in 1001 Days](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/101-in-1001\/), I was plowing through some business books I’ve in my TBR (to be read) pile.\n\n### The basic premise of *Atomic Habits*\nThe fundamental idea of the book is that we all have small habits that either move us forward towards our goals or away from our goals. These habits are often based in systems that work for us or against us.\n\nClear breaks this apart into some key ideas that I think have terrific applicaton for parents and teachers, and I specifically love how some of the ideas push back against perfectionistic tendencies (since I literally wrote [the book](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/books\/perfectionism\/) on perfectionism!).\n\n### Great Idea \\#1\nIf you are looking for results, focus less on goals and more on systems.\n\nBecause I see everything through the lens of school and home, I thought a lot about what systems are in place that help students (and hurt) and what systems are in place in most homes.\n\nThis line really stood out to me: You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems. Ouch.\n\nI literally felt my gut twist when I thought about how much more I could have done to set up systems in my classroom (and my home) to make it more likely that students would be successful and that my kids would pick up their rooms.\n\n### Great Idea \\#2\nIf you want a habit to take hold, there are four rules: 1) make it obvious, 2) make it attractive, 3) make it easy, and 4) make it satisfying. Clear calls this the “Four Laws of Behavior Change.”\n\nI’m not sure if he invented that title or not, but that’s what it’s called in the book.\n\nTo make it obvious, he suggests thinking about time and location. When and where will you do this habit?\n\nOne of my goals was to reach the expert level in Duolingo in German. (Want to be my friend in Duolingo? Click [here](https:\/\/www.duolingo.com\/LisainTexas).)\n\nI decided to attach it to my scripture reading and journaling habit that already exist every morning. When I’m done with them, I just added Duolingo to the pattern.\n\nClear calls this “habit stacking.”\n\nThis idea wasn’t new to me – I’d actually written about BJ Fogg’s [Tiny Habits](https:\/\/www.tinyhabits.com\/) in my *[Perfectionism](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/books\/perfectionism\/)* book. I just liked Clear’s style of explaining it and tying it to other pieces that I think worked really well together.\n\n### Great Idea \\#3\nIt’s about trajectory, not current status. Ask yourself, “If I keep going in this direction, where will I end up?”\n\nI love that because it is forgiving. If you are someone you don’t want to be, you focus on what change you can make right now, today, that will shift the trajectory a little bit.\n\nI used this to improve my system for becoming someone who can do 50 push-ups.\n\nInstead of just saying, “I have a goal to do 50 push-ups, but I’m such a loser that I can barely do one good push-up,” I said, “I’m someone who does push-ups” and every day I started doing push-ups right before I got in the shower.\n\nI’m up to 13 now, and the trajectory ends at 50 (or more). I don’t worry that I can’t do 50 now, or that I missed a day. I think about how I am on the right trajectory. I get super happy when I think about where I will be as I keep following this path.\n\n### Great Idea \\#4\nThe most effective way to change your habits is to focus not on what you want to achieve, but on who you wish to become.\n\nOh, man, this idea was transformational for me.\n\nI used the idea when I talked with Max about his grades and school habits ([read that article](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/underachiever-on-track)).\n\n> Instead of thinking about how he has to keep a calendar and do homework, I invited him to consider thinking about whether he wanted to be someone who is responsible about maintaining his schedule, and because of that, the people around him are relaxed and free of anxiety **or** if he wanted to be someone whose refusal to manage his schedule and assignments causes stress and anxiety for those around him.\n\nI also used it when I was considering my goals for my 101 in 1001 days project. If you look at [that page](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/101-in-1001\/), you’ll see this:\n\nMy desires for the project overall were to:\n\n- Become a stronger, more diverse reader\n- Become a more confident German speaker\n- Become someone who could save a life\n- Become someone who has a strong understanding of physical geography of states and nation-states\n- Become someone who has a broader knowledge of scriptures in my mind\n\nThe goals weren’t about achieving a certain thing, but rather becoming a certain person.\n\nClear says, “If you’re having trouble determining how to rate a particular habit, ask yourself: ‘Does this behavior help me become the type of person I wish to be? Does this habit cast a vote for or against my desired identity?’”\n\nIsn’t that powerful? Our habits are votes we cast for or against desired identity. Wow. I can’t describe how that struck me.\n\nConsider:\n\n- Is the way I speak with students a vote for or against my desired identity?\n- Is my attitude toward professional development   \n  a vote for or against my desired identity?\n- Is the email I sent to parents\/teachers a vote for or against my desired identity?\n### Great Idea \\#5\nLast one (in my list – in the book, the hits just keep on comin’): Environment is the invisible hand that shapes human behavior.\n\nThere are so many ways we can make our environments work for or against us, especially when we consider that people are a part of our environment.\n\nI decided to make some changes in my environment, although I’m not sure Clear would agree with the way I decided to do that (eat all of the ice cream to get it out of the house, for example).\n\nI really do think it’s a solution that’s so obvious that we may underappreciate it.\n\n### Interested in *Atomic Habits*?\n- James Clear has a [website](https:\/\/jamesclear.com\/atomic-habits) about the book with printables and other information\n- You can grab the book on [Amazon](https:\/\/amzn.to\/2VDN8o9)\n### Wrapping Up\nWorth Reading Rating: 5\n\nYou can learn more about my Worth Reading Rating System [here](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/worth-reading-rating-system\/).\n\nLooking for other great reads? I’ve got reviews on other books like:\n\n- [Deep Work](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/the-talent-code-book-review\/) by Cal Newport\n- [Why Don’t Students Like School](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/students-do-not-like-school\/) by Dan Willingham\n- [The Boys in the Boat](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/boys_in_the_boat\/) (If you haven’t read this, just stop your life and go read it.\n\n![lisa's signature](https:\/\/giftedguru.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/signature.png)\n\nNote: Sometimes I use affiliate links, which means that if you click through and buy something, I get a few pennies (to buy more books!). It will never cost you anything extra.","meta_canonical":null}

3. Robots.txt Check

Query:

Response:

4. Spam/Ban Check

Query:

Response:

5. Seen Status Check

ℹ️ Skipped - page is already crawled

📄

INDEXABLE

✅

CRAWLED

4 days ago

🤖

ROBOTS ALLOWED

Page Info Filters

Filter	Status	Condition	Details
HTTP status	PASS	`download_http_code = 200`	HTTP 200
Age cutoff	PASS	`download_stamp > now() - 6 MONTH`	0.1 months ago
History drop	PASS	`isNull(history_drop_reason)`	No drop reason
Spam/ban	PASS	`fh_dont_index != 1 AND ml_spam_score = 0`	ml_spam_score=0
Canonical	PASS	`meta_canonical IS NULL OR = '' OR = src_unparsed`	Not set

Page Details

Property	Value
URL	https://giftedguru.com/atomic-habits-book-review/
Last Crawled	2026-04-11 12:07:21 (4 days ago)
First Indexed	2023-07-10 22:25:44 (2 years ago)
HTTP Status Code	200
Meta Title	Atomic Habits – Book Review – Gifted Guru
Meta Description	null
Meta Canonical	null
Boilerpipe Text	Atomic Habits by James Clear is a book I’d had recommended to me frequently, and as part of my 101 Goals in 1001 Days , I was plowing through some business books I’ve in my TBR (to be read) pile. The basic premise of Atomic Habits The fundamental idea of the book is that we all have small habits that either move us forward towards our goals or away from our goals. These habits are often based in systems that work for us or against us. Clear breaks this apart into some key ideas that I think have terrific applicaton for parents and teachers, and I specifically love how some of the ideas push back against perfectionistic tendencies (since I literally wrote the book on perfectionism!). Great Idea #1 If you are looking for results, focus less on goals and more on systems. Because I see everything through the lens of school and home, I thought a lot about what systems are in place that help students (and hurt) and what systems are in place in most homes. This line really stood out to me: You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems. Ouch. I literally felt my gut twist when I thought about how much more I could have done to set up systems in my classroom (and my home) to make it more likely that students would be successful and that my kids would pick up their rooms. Great Idea #2 If you want a habit to take hold, there are four rules: 1) make it obvious, 2) make it attractive, 3) make it easy, and 4) make it satisfying. Clear calls this the “Four Laws of Behavior Change.” I’m not sure if he invented that title or not, but that’s what it’s called in the book. To make it obvious, he suggests thinking about time and location. When and where will you do this habit? One of my goals was to reach the expert level in Duolingo in German. (Want to be my friend in Duolingo? Click here .) I decided to attach it to my scripture reading and journaling habit that already exist every morning. When I’m done with them, I just added Duolingo to the pattern. Clear calls this “habit stacking.” This idea wasn’t new to me – I’d actually written about BJ Fogg’s Tiny Habits in my Perfectionism book. I just liked Clear’s style of explaining it and tying it to other pieces that I think worked really well together. Great Idea #3 It’s about trajectory, not current status. Ask yourself, “If I keep going in this direction, where will I end up?” I love that because it is forgiving. If you are someone you don’t want to be, you focus on what change you can make right now, today, that will shift the trajectory a little bit. I used this to improve my system for becoming someone who can do 50 push-ups. Instead of just saying, “I have a goal to do 50 push-ups, but I’m such a loser that I can barely do one good push-up,” I said, “I’m someone who does push-ups” and every day I started doing push-ups right before I got in the shower. I’m up to 13 now, and the trajectory ends at 50 (or more). I don’t worry that I can’t do 50 now, or that I missed a day. I think about how I am on the right trajectory. I get super happy when I think about where I will be as I keep following this path. Great Idea #4 The most effective way to change your habits is to focus not on what you want to achieve, but on who you wish to become. Oh, man, this idea was transformational for me. I used the idea when I talked with Max about his grades and school habits ( read that article ). Instead of thinking about how he has to keep a calendar and do homework, I invited him to consider thinking about whether he wanted to be someone who is responsible about maintaining his schedule, and because of that, the people around him are relaxed and free of anxiety or if he wanted to be someone whose refusal to manage his schedule and assignments causes stress and anxiety for those around him. I also used it when I was considering my goals for my 101 in 1001 days project. If you look at that page , you’ll see this: My desires for the project overall were to: Become a stronger, more diverse reader Become a more confident German speaker Become someone who could save a life Become someone who has a strong understanding of physical geography of states and nation-states Become someone who has a broader knowledge of scriptures in my mind The goals weren’t about achieving a certain thing, but rather becoming a certain person. Clear says, “If you’re having trouble determining how to rate a particular habit, ask yourself: ‘Does this behavior help me become the type of person I wish to be? Does this habit cast a vote for or against my desired identity?’” Isn’t that powerful? Our habits are votes we cast for or against desired identity. Wow. I can’t describe how that struck me. Consider: Is the way I speak with students a vote for or against my desired identity? Is my attitude toward professional development a vote for or against my desired identity? Is the email I sent to parents/teachers a vote for or against my desired identity? Great Idea #5 Last one (in my list – in the book, the hits just keep on comin’): Environment is the invisible hand that shapes human behavior. There are so many ways we can make our environments work for or against us, especially when we consider that people are a part of our environment. I decided to make some changes in my environment, although I’m not sure Clear would agree with the way I decided to do that (eat all of the ice cream to get it out of the house, for example). I really do think it’s a solution that’s so obvious that we may underappreciate it. Interested in Atomic Habits ? James Clear has a website about the book with printables and other information You can grab the book on Amazon Wrapping Up Worth Reading Rating: 5 You can learn more about my Worth Reading Rating System here . Looking for other great reads? I’ve got reviews on other books like: Deep Work by Cal Newport Why Don’t Students Like School by Dan Willingham The Boys in the Boat (If you haven’t read this, just stop your life and go read it. Note: Sometimes I use affiliate links, which means that if you click through and buy something, I get a few pennies (to buy more books!). It will never cost you anything extra.
Markdown	[Skip to content](https://giftedguru.com/atomic-habits-book-review/#content "Skip to content") [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20600%20600'%3E%3C/svg%3E)![](https://giftedguru.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/gifted-guru-icon-light.png)](https://giftedguru.com/) - [Learn](https://giftedguru.com/atomic-habits-book-review/) - [Depth and Complexity](https://giftedguru.com/category/depth-complexity/) - [Speaking](https://giftedguru.com/speaking/) - [Courses](https://giftedguru.com/professional-development-courses/) - [Classes](https://giftedguru.com/english-class/) - [Books by Lisa](https://giftedguru.com/books/) - [Book Reviews](https://giftedguru.com/category/book-review/) - [For Administrators](https://giftedguru.com/administrators/) - [Subscribe](https://giftedguru.com/subscribe/) - [Blog](https://giftedguru.com/blog/) - [Parents](https://giftedguru.com/category/parenting/) - [Teachers](https://giftedguru.com/category/teaching/) - [Administrators](https://giftedguru.com/administrators/) - [Gifted Youth](https://giftedguru.com/resources-for-gifted-youth/) - [By Topic](https://giftedguru.com/blog) - [Advocacy](https://giftedguru.com/category/advocacy/) - [Depth and Complexity](https://giftedguru.com/category/depth-complexity/) - [Differentiation](https://giftedguru.com/category/differentiation/) - [Teaching](https://giftedguru.com/category/teaching/) - [Parenting](https://giftedguru.com/category/parenting/) - [Emotional Needs](https://giftedguru.com/category/social-and-emotional-needs/) - [Vocabulary Instruction](https://giftedguru.com/category/vocabulary/) - [Shop](https://giftedguru.com/atomic-habits-book-review/) - [Books by Lisa](https://giftedguru.com/books/) - [Free Resources](https://giftedguru.com/resources/) - [TpT Resources](https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Gifted-Guru) - [Amazon Must Haves](https://www.amazon.com/shop/gifted_guru) - [About](https://giftedguru.com/atomic-habits-book-review/) - [About Lisa](https://giftedguru.com/about/) - [Speaking](https://giftedguru.com/speaking/) - [Books by Lisa](https://giftedguru.com/books/) - [Subscribe](https://giftedguru.com/subscribe/) - [Learn](https://giftedguru.com/atomic-habits-book-review/) - [Depth and Complexity](https://giftedguru.com/category/depth-complexity/) - [Speaking](https://giftedguru.com/speaking/) - [Courses](https://giftedguru.com/professional-development-courses/) - [Classes](https://giftedguru.com/english-class/) - [Books by Lisa](https://giftedguru.com/books/) - [Book Reviews](https://giftedguru.com/category/book-review/) - [For Administrators](https://giftedguru.com/administrators/) - [Subscribe](https://giftedguru.com/subscribe/) - [Blog](https://giftedguru.com/blog/) - [Parents](https://giftedguru.com/category/parenting/) - [Teachers](https://giftedguru.com/category/teaching/) - [Administrators](https://giftedguru.com/administrators/) - [Gifted Youth](https://giftedguru.com/resources-for-gifted-youth/) - [By Topic](https://giftedguru.com/blog) - [Advocacy](https://giftedguru.com/category/advocacy/) - [Depth and Complexity](https://giftedguru.com/category/depth-complexity/) - [Differentiation](https://giftedguru.com/category/differentiation/) - [Teaching](https://giftedguru.com/category/teaching/) - [Parenting](https://giftedguru.com/category/parenting/) - [Emotional Needs](https://giftedguru.com/category/social-and-emotional-needs/) - [Vocabulary Instruction](https://giftedguru.com/category/vocabulary/) - [Shop](https://giftedguru.com/atomic-habits-book-review/) - [Books by Lisa](https://giftedguru.com/books/) - [Free Resources](https://giftedguru.com/resources/) - [TpT Resources](https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Gifted-Guru) - [Amazon Must Haves](https://www.amazon.com/shop/gifted_guru) - [About](https://giftedguru.com/atomic-habits-book-review/) - [About Lisa](https://giftedguru.com/about/) - [Speaking](https://giftedguru.com/speaking/) - [Books by Lisa](https://giftedguru.com/books/) - [Subscribe](https://giftedguru.com/subscribe/) [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201120%20172'%3E%3C/svg%3E)![](https://giftedguru.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/gifted-guru-primary-logo.png)](https://giftedguru.com/) ### [COURSES](https://giftedguru.com/professional-development-courses/) ### [Parents](https://giftedguru.com/resources-for-parents/) ### [EDUCATORS](https://giftedguru.com/resources-for-educators/) ### [Subscribe](https://giftedguru.com/subscribe/) # Atomic Habits – Book Review [![gifted guru book club - atomic habits](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20768%20768'%3E%3C/svg%3E)![gifted guru book club - atomic habits](https://giftedguru.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/atomic-habits.png)](https://giftedguru.com/atomic-habits-book-review/) [Atomic Habits](https://amzn.to/2GR3pg5) by James Clear is a book I’d had recommended to me frequently, and as part of my [101 Goals in 1001 Days](https://giftedguru.com/101-in-1001/), I was plowing through some business books I’ve in my TBR (to be read) pile. ### The basic premise of Atomic Habits The fundamental idea of the book is that we all have small habits that either move us forward towards our goals or away from our goals. These habits are often based in systems that work for us or against us. Clear breaks this apart into some key ideas that I think have terrific applicaton for parents and teachers, and I specifically love how some of the ideas push back against perfectionistic tendencies (since I literally wrote [the book](https://giftedguru.com/books/perfectionism/) on perfectionism!). ### Great Idea \#1 If you are looking for results, focus less on goals and more on systems. Because I see everything through the lens of school and home, I thought a lot about what systems are in place that help students (and hurt) and what systems are in place in most homes. This line really stood out to me: You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems. Ouch. I literally felt my gut twist when I thought about how much more I could have done to set up systems in my classroom (and my home) to make it more likely that students would be successful and that my kids would pick up their rooms. ### Great Idea \#2 If you want a habit to take hold, there are four rules: 1) make it obvious, 2) make it attractive, 3) make it easy, and 4) make it satisfying. Clear calls this the “Four Laws of Behavior Change.” I’m not sure if he invented that title or not, but that’s what it’s called in the book. To make it obvious, he suggests thinking about time and location. When and where will you do this habit? One of my goals was to reach the expert level in Duolingo in German. (Want to be my friend in Duolingo? Click [here](https://www.duolingo.com/LisainTexas).) I decided to attach it to my scripture reading and journaling habit that already exist every morning. When I’m done with them, I just added Duolingo to the pattern. Clear calls this “habit stacking.” This idea wasn’t new to me – I’d actually written about BJ Fogg’s [Tiny Habits](https://www.tinyhabits.com/) in my [Perfectionism](https://giftedguru.com/books/perfectionism/) book. I just liked Clear’s style of explaining it and tying it to other pieces that I think worked really well together. ### Great Idea \#3 It’s about trajectory, not current status. Ask yourself, “If I keep going in this direction, where will I end up?” I love that because it is forgiving. If you are someone you don’t want to be, you focus on what change you can make right now, today, that will shift the trajectory a little bit. I used this to improve my system for becoming someone who can do 50 push-ups. Instead of just saying, “I have a goal to do 50 push-ups, but I’m such a loser that I can barely do one good push-up,” I said, “I’m someone who does push-ups” and every day I started doing push-ups right before I got in the shower. I’m up to 13 now, and the trajectory ends at 50 (or more). I don’t worry that I can’t do 50 now, or that I missed a day. I think about how I am on the right trajectory. I get super happy when I think about where I will be as I keep following this path. ### Great Idea \#4 The most effective way to change your habits is to focus not on what you want to achieve, but on who you wish to become. Oh, man, this idea was transformational for me. I used the idea when I talked with Max about his grades and school habits ([read that article](https://giftedguru.com/underachiever-on-track)). > Instead of thinking about how he has to keep a calendar and do homework, I invited him to consider thinking about whether he wanted to be someone who is responsible about maintaining his schedule, and because of that, the people around him are relaxed and free of anxiety or if he wanted to be someone whose refusal to manage his schedule and assignments causes stress and anxiety for those around him. I also used it when I was considering my goals for my 101 in 1001 days project. If you look at [that page](https://giftedguru.com/101-in-1001/), you’ll see this: My desires for the project overall were to: - Become a stronger, more diverse reader - Become a more confident German speaker - Become someone who could save a life - Become someone who has a strong understanding of physical geography of states and nation-states - Become someone who has a broader knowledge of scriptures in my mind The goals weren’t about achieving a certain thing, but rather becoming a certain person. Clear says, “If you’re having trouble determining how to rate a particular habit, ask yourself: ‘Does this behavior help me become the type of person I wish to be? Does this habit cast a vote for or against my desired identity?’” Isn’t that powerful? Our habits are votes we cast for or against desired identity. Wow. I can’t describe how that struck me. Consider: - Is the way I speak with students a vote for or against my desired identity? - Is my attitude toward professional development a vote for or against my desired identity? - Is the email I sent to parents/teachers a vote for or against my desired identity? ### Great Idea \#5 Last one (in my list – in the book, the hits just keep on comin’): Environment is the invisible hand that shapes human behavior. There are so many ways we can make our environments work for or against us, especially when we consider that people are a part of our environment. I decided to make some changes in my environment, although I’m not sure Clear would agree with the way I decided to do that (eat all of the ice cream to get it out of the house, for example). I really do think it’s a solution that’s so obvious that we may underappreciate it. ### Interested in Atomic Habits? - James Clear has a [website](https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits) about the book with printables and other information - You can grab the book on [Amazon](https://amzn.to/2VDN8o9) ### Wrapping Up Worth Reading Rating: 5 You can learn more about my Worth Reading Rating System [here](https://giftedguru.com/worth-reading-rating-system/). Looking for other great reads? I’ve got reviews on other books like: - [Deep Work](https://giftedguru.com/the-talent-code-book-review/) by Cal Newport - [Why Don’t Students Like School](https://giftedguru.com/students-do-not-like-school/) by Dan Willingham - [The Boys in the Boat](https://giftedguru.com/boys_in_the_boat/) (If you haven’t read this, just stop your life and go read it. ![lisa's signature](https://giftedguru.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/signature.png) Note: Sometimes I use affiliate links, which means that if you click through and buy something, I get a few pennies (to buy more books!). It will never cost you anything extra. ###### Share it: Email Facebook Pinterest Twitter - Read more about: [Book Reviews](https://giftedguru.com/category/book-review/) [PrevPreviousSummer Learning Lures: The Alternative to the Summer Assignment](https://giftedguru.com/summer-learning-lures/) [NextThe Epic Teacher Resource ListNext](https://giftedguru.com/epic-teacher-resource-list/) ### You might also like... [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20400%20400'%3E%3C/svg%3E) ![](https://giftedguru.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/print-on-post-it-featured-400x400.png)](https://giftedguru.com/how-to-print-on-post-it-notes/) ### [How to Print on Post-it® Notes](https://giftedguru.com/how-to-print-on-post-it-notes/) [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20400%20400'%3E%3C/svg%3E) ![](https://giftedguru.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/5-types-of-questions-400x400.png)](https://giftedguru.com/the-5-types-of-questions-every-teacher-should-be-asking/) ### [The 5 Types of Questions Every Teacher Should be Asking](https://giftedguru.com/the-5-types-of-questions-every-teacher-should-be-asking/) [![](https://giftedguru.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Frayer-Model-featured-image-400x400.png)](https://giftedguru.com/using-the-frayer-model-to-teach-vocabulary-concepts/) ### [Using The Frayer Model to Teach Vocabulary Concepts](https://giftedguru.com/using-the-frayer-model-to-teach-vocabulary-concepts/) ![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20341%20341'%3E%3C/svg%3E)![](https://giftedguru.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Lisa-Van-Gemert-professional-development-400x400.png) Hi! I’m Lisa. I love sharing tips and ideas to help educators and parents of bright kiddos. Here you’ll find tons of resources to help make the world safe for gifted kids. [Learn More](https://giftedguru.com/about/) ## Find What You Need ## Let’s Connect [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/thegiftedguru/) [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/@LisaVanGemert) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/GiftedGuru) [Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/lisavangemert) [Shopping-cart](https://lisavangemert.gumroad.com/) [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/shop/gifted_guru) #### Get 15 Ways to Help Gifted Kids Thrive in School Ideas that work for lots of kids, so everyone will find ideas they can apply right away\! ## Browse the Blog - [Activities](https://giftedguru.com/category/teaching/activities/) - [Advocacy](https://giftedguru.com/category/advocacy/) - [Book Reviews](https://giftedguru.com/category/book-review/) - [Classroom Library](https://giftedguru.com/category/teaching/classroom-library/) - [Depth and Complexity](https://giftedguru.com/category/depth-complexity/) - [Differentiating Content](https://giftedguru.com/category/differentiation/differentiating-conten/) - [Differentiating Product](https://giftedguru.com/category/differentiation/differentiating-product/) - [Differentiation](https://giftedguru.com/category/differentiation/) - [Ed Tech](https://giftedguru.com/category/teaching/technology/) - [Excellent Teaching](https://giftedguru.com/category/teaching/) - [Executive Functioning](https://giftedguru.com/category/teaching/executive-functioning/) - [Free Resources](https://giftedguru.com/category/resource-library/) - [Gifted Education](https://giftedguru.com/category/advocacy/gifted-ed/) - [Holidays](https://giftedguru.com/category/teaching/holidays/) - [Homeschooling](https://giftedguru.com/category/parenting/homeschooling/) - [Identification and Testing](https://giftedguru.com/category/advocacy/identification-and-testing/) - [Intensities and Excitabilities](https://giftedguru.com/category/social-and-emotional-needs/intensities-and-excitabilities/) - [Interview with a Gifted Kid](https://giftedguru.com/category/advocacy/interview-with-a-gifted-kid/) - [Language Arts](https://giftedguru.com/category/differentiation/language-arts/) - [Lesson Plans and Resources](https://giftedguru.com/category/teaching/lesson-plans-and-resources/) - [Parenting](https://giftedguru.com/category/parenting/) - [Pedagogy & Practice](https://giftedguru.com/category/teaching/pedagogy-and-practice/) - [Personal Development & Habits](https://giftedguru.com/category/social-and-emotional-needs/personal-development-and-habits/) - [Policy](https://giftedguru.com/category/advocacy/policy/) - [Professional Development](https://giftedguru.com/category/teaching/professional-development/) - [Reader Q\&A](https://giftedguru.com/category/parenting/reader-qa/) - [Reading Strategies](https://giftedguru.com/category/teaching/reading-strategies/) - [Recommended Resources](https://giftedguru.com/category/recommended-resources/) - [Social & Emotional Needs](https://giftedguru.com/category/social-and-emotional-needs/) - [Vocabulary](https://giftedguru.com/category/teaching/vocabulary-ideas/) - [Vocabulary Instruction](https://giftedguru.com/category/vocabulary/) - [Young Gifted](https://giftedguru.com/category/young-gifted/) ![](https://giftedguru.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/gifted-guru-stacked-logo-400x400.png) [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/thegiftedguru/) [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/@LisaVanGemert) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/GiftedGuru) [Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/lisavangemert) [Shopping-cart](https://lisavangemert.gumroad.com/) [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/shop/gifted_guru) ### Browse the Blog - [Advocacy](https://giftedguru.com/category/advocacy/) - [Depth and Complexity](https://giftedguru.com/category/depth-complexity/) - [Differentiation](https://giftedguru.com/category/differentiation/) - [Excellent Teaching](https://giftedguru.com/category/teaching/) - [Parenting](https://giftedguru.com/category/parenting/) - [Social & Emotional Needs](https://giftedguru.com/category/social-and-emotional-needs/) - [Free Resources](https://giftedguru.com/resources/) - [Advocacy](https://giftedguru.com/category/advocacy/) - [Depth and Complexity](https://giftedguru.com/category/depth-complexity/) - [Differentiation](https://giftedguru.com/category/differentiation/) - [Excellent Teaching](https://giftedguru.com/category/teaching/) - [Parenting](https://giftedguru.com/category/parenting/) - [Social & Emotional Needs](https://giftedguru.com/category/social-and-emotional-needs/) - [Free Resources](https://giftedguru.com/resources/) ### Important Links - [Disclosure & Comments Policy](https://giftedguru.com/disclosure/) - [Privacy Policy](https://giftedguru.com/disclosure/privacy/) - [Affiliate Disclosure](https://giftedguru.com/disclosure/affiliate-disclosure/) - [Trademark](https://giftedguru.com/about/trademark/) - [Disclosure & Comments Policy](https://giftedguru.com/disclosure/) - [Privacy Policy](https://giftedguru.com/disclosure/privacy/) - [Affiliate Disclosure](https://giftedguru.com/disclosure/affiliate-disclosure/) - [Trademark](https://giftedguru.com/about/trademark/) #### Free Classroom Coupons These super fun, editable student coupons let you recognize students with dozens of little (free) ideas for things they love. [© Gifted Guru](https://giftedguru.com/)
Readable Markdown	[![gifted guru book club - atomic habits](https://giftedguru.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/atomic-habits.png)](https://giftedguru.com/atomic-habits-book-review/) [Atomic Habits](https://amzn.to/2GR3pg5) by James Clear is a book I’d had recommended to me frequently, and as part of my [101 Goals in 1001 Days](https://giftedguru.com/101-in-1001/), I was plowing through some business books I’ve in my TBR (to be read) pile. ### The basic premise of Atomic Habits The fundamental idea of the book is that we all have small habits that either move us forward towards our goals or away from our goals. These habits are often based in systems that work for us or against us. Clear breaks this apart into some key ideas that I think have terrific applicaton for parents and teachers, and I specifically love how some of the ideas push back against perfectionistic tendencies (since I literally wrote [the book](https://giftedguru.com/books/perfectionism/) on perfectionism!). ### Great Idea \#1 If you are looking for results, focus less on goals and more on systems. Because I see everything through the lens of school and home, I thought a lot about what systems are in place that help students (and hurt) and what systems are in place in most homes. This line really stood out to me: You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems. Ouch. I literally felt my gut twist when I thought about how much more I could have done to set up systems in my classroom (and my home) to make it more likely that students would be successful and that my kids would pick up their rooms. ### Great Idea \#2 If you want a habit to take hold, there are four rules: 1) make it obvious, 2) make it attractive, 3) make it easy, and 4) make it satisfying. Clear calls this the “Four Laws of Behavior Change.” I’m not sure if he invented that title or not, but that’s what it’s called in the book. To make it obvious, he suggests thinking about time and location. When and where will you do this habit? One of my goals was to reach the expert level in Duolingo in German. (Want to be my friend in Duolingo? Click [here](https://www.duolingo.com/LisainTexas).) I decided to attach it to my scripture reading and journaling habit that already exist every morning. When I’m done with them, I just added Duolingo to the pattern. Clear calls this “habit stacking.” This idea wasn’t new to me – I’d actually written about BJ Fogg’s [Tiny Habits](https://www.tinyhabits.com/) in my [Perfectionism](https://giftedguru.com/books/perfectionism/) book. I just liked Clear’s style of explaining it and tying it to other pieces that I think worked really well together. ### Great Idea \#3 It’s about trajectory, not current status. Ask yourself, “If I keep going in this direction, where will I end up?” I love that because it is forgiving. If you are someone you don’t want to be, you focus on what change you can make right now, today, that will shift the trajectory a little bit. I used this to improve my system for becoming someone who can do 50 push-ups. Instead of just saying, “I have a goal to do 50 push-ups, but I’m such a loser that I can barely do one good push-up,” I said, “I’m someone who does push-ups” and every day I started doing push-ups right before I got in the shower. I’m up to 13 now, and the trajectory ends at 50 (or more). I don’t worry that I can’t do 50 now, or that I missed a day. I think about how I am on the right trajectory. I get super happy when I think about where I will be as I keep following this path. ### Great Idea \#4 The most effective way to change your habits is to focus not on what you want to achieve, but on who you wish to become. Oh, man, this idea was transformational for me. I used the idea when I talked with Max about his grades and school habits ([read that article](https://giftedguru.com/underachiever-on-track)). > Instead of thinking about how he has to keep a calendar and do homework, I invited him to consider thinking about whether he wanted to be someone who is responsible about maintaining his schedule, and because of that, the people around him are relaxed and free of anxiety or if he wanted to be someone whose refusal to manage his schedule and assignments causes stress and anxiety for those around him. I also used it when I was considering my goals for my 101 in 1001 days project. If you look at [that page](https://giftedguru.com/101-in-1001/), you’ll see this: My desires for the project overall were to: - Become a stronger, more diverse reader - Become a more confident German speaker - Become someone who could save a life - Become someone who has a strong understanding of physical geography of states and nation-states - Become someone who has a broader knowledge of scriptures in my mind The goals weren’t about achieving a certain thing, but rather becoming a certain person. Clear says, “If you’re having trouble determining how to rate a particular habit, ask yourself: ‘Does this behavior help me become the type of person I wish to be? Does this habit cast a vote for or against my desired identity?’” Isn’t that powerful? Our habits are votes we cast for or against desired identity. Wow. I can’t describe how that struck me. Consider: - Is the way I speak with students a vote for or against my desired identity? - Is my attitude toward professional development a vote for or against my desired identity? - Is the email I sent to parents/teachers a vote for or against my desired identity? ### Great Idea \#5 Last one (in my list – in the book, the hits just keep on comin’): Environment is the invisible hand that shapes human behavior. There are so many ways we can make our environments work for or against us, especially when we consider that people are a part of our environment. I decided to make some changes in my environment, although I’m not sure Clear would agree with the way I decided to do that (eat all of the ice cream to get it out of the house, for example). I really do think it’s a solution that’s so obvious that we may underappreciate it. ### Interested in Atomic Habits? - James Clear has a [website](https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits) about the book with printables and other information - You can grab the book on [Amazon](https://amzn.to/2VDN8o9) ### Wrapping Up Worth Reading Rating: 5 You can learn more about my Worth Reading Rating System [here](https://giftedguru.com/worth-reading-rating-system/). Looking for other great reads? I’ve got reviews on other books like: - [Deep Work](https://giftedguru.com/the-talent-code-book-review/) by Cal Newport - [Why Don’t Students Like School](https://giftedguru.com/students-do-not-like-school/) by Dan Willingham - [The Boys in the Boat](https://giftedguru.com/boys_in_the_boat/) (If you haven’t read this, just stop your life and go read it. ![lisa's signature](https://giftedguru.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/signature.png) Note: Sometimes I use affiliate links, which means that if you click through and buy something, I get a few pennies (to buy more books!). It will never cost you anything extra.
Shard	166 (laksa)
Root Hash	13486727370551411966
Unparsed URL	com,giftedguru!/atomic-habits-book-review/ s443