Mini Habits: Smaller Habits, Bigger Results

Mini Habits The book Mini Habits: Smaller Habits, Bigger Results by Stephen Guise is based on the story of how the author discovered that mini habits work better than traditional big habits. For ten years the author tried many different personal development systems, to build significant daily habits that would help him achieve his fitness and writing goals, and had no success. One night in desperation he decided upon a mini habits - just one push-up a day. To his surprise this mini habit empowered him to do more and more push-ups and to ultimately develop fitness habits that helped him achieve his goals. His surprising results with mini habits inspired him to research why they worked so well in achieving major results. The author’s personal experiences with a motivational approach to achievement was that to be motivated to work on a goal, it had to be big enough to be exciting, like running five miles a day or writing 2000 words a day. The daily tasks required to achieve the goals took so much willpower to start that he never had the energy to get started, much less start a new habit. Without “motivation” he could not get anything done. Researchers have discovered that to be motivated to achieve a goal, which requires habit formation, the goal has to be big enough to get people excited. For many people just coming up with a big “exciting” goal was enough of an accomplishment. Having the goal was a reward enough and they no longer felt the need to actually accomplish it. Those who tried to accomplish a big goal which required developing new habits that took a lot of energy and willpower had a very negative experience and feeling of failure when the goal was not achieved. The result was a huge resistance to developing new habits and a negative experience every time forming new habits was attempted yet not accomplished. Establishing a mini-habit, on the other hand, does not require a lot willpower to start and since it is easy to do, it creates a regular positive experience by doing it each day. Even though the mini-habit is ridiculously small, it provides a positive sense of accomplishment and encouragement. It is important not to increase the mini-habit goal so that it remains easy to do. The mini-habit doesn’t require much energy to start so there is more energy to do the work. The author suggests taking at least a month to see if mini-habits will work for you. I tried the mini-goal the author had, to write 50 words a day on a book I have been working for a year about what I have learned about cancer that I think everyone should know. The first few weeks the mini-goal seemed to help a little, but now that I have been doing it for 6 weeks it seems to be helping a lot. It not only helped with writing the book, but it contributed to me focusing the content and scope of the book. Instead of trying to explain the historical models of cancer and how recent discoveries are finding them to be wrong, I am focusing on the stunning new discoveries and the success of non-toxic cancer treatments. Last week I wrote more in a day than I have since high school. I feel using mini-goals is helping me achieve my goals. If you want to try a new way to accomplish things try out mini-goals. I highly recommend this book - Five Stars.

I'm a chronic procrastinator. I'm consistently pinned to my chair, half laying in it and mumbling about not being able to do anything. If I even think about doing something I really want to do, I have a difficult time raising just my hand. I'm an expert at not doing anything, and wasting time. I always thought big, too big. Even other time wasters were difficult to do, like playing games or watching tv shows. In a way, life was a cage where all the fun stuff I want to do was just outside my hand's reach. Mini habits gave me the key to unlock that cage. I started simple, 1 push up a day. 1 minute walking outside. Read 1 page a day. 24 days have passed since I've started (I read the blog first of all, that's how I've learnt the concept). Everyday a success. My 1 push up is still growing, but I've consistently do bonus reps. My "read 1 page a day" has resulted in completing 7 books in roughly 3 weeks. My 1 minute walk outside changed into me conquering my fear of darkness which has been with me my entire life. I go out twice now for two walks, and I run back from them. Once when it's still light and once in the dark. My fear of dark has completely gone, I feel like I'm a completely different person now. I'm proud of my self. And all this from just walking outside for 1 minute. Mini habits will teach you what you need to know to get along with your brain, and leverage the power of habits. It'll tell you how to get there step by step. Understanding is key here, because it's easy to make a blunder, like increasing your requirements when they should stay "stupid small". The book has everything you need. It'll give you the science, and help you along your first steps. Once you know what you're doing, you'll have no trouble growing on your own. Like they say: Give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime. This book will teach you how to fish.

This book had a great effect on me. I highly recommend it if you are one of those people who always says, “I want to work out at least x times a week. I want to write at least x amount per day. I want to eat healthier, read more, get better at piano, etc,” but it’s been ten years and you still ARE NOT that person. That’s me. And I’m still saying those things ten years later. If it didn’t happen in the last ten years, why will it happen in the next? Hello “mini habits.” Mini Habits are “laughably small” or “stupid small” versions of a bigger habit you would like to develop. The idea of developing small habits means you’re getting the hardest part out of the way: the decision making. Once you’re doing the action, you are much likelier to continue ding it. That’s the theory in a nutshell. You can get a much more expanded explanation with reasons in Mini Habits (the book). Since starting this book, I’ve adapted several mini habits like: 1. Playing one song cover to cover on the piano (since practice 30 minutes always seemed like a mountain of a task) 2. Write 50 words a day (since 200 and even 2000 seemed overwhelming) 3. Read two pages a day (since read for one hour before bed feels daunting at the end of the day) and 4. Exercise or do five minutes of yoga I am happy to say that so far after a few days, the method is working. I know, I know, a couple of days is nothing. It takes much longer to develop a habit. However, I have discovered that the minuteness of the habit makes it easy to start, and then I am often encouraged to keep going since I’ve already started. This book is such a quick read, there’s no reason NOT to read it!

"Mini Habits" by Steven Guise stands as one of the most practical and valuable books I've ever read on the subject of habit formation. While I've delved into numerous books on the topic, none have quite managed to capture the essence and importance of building sustainable habits like "Mini Habits" does. The strength of the book lies in its approachable and realistic strategies. Guise doesn’t propose grandiose changes, but rather promotes the idea of taking small, manageable steps towards achieving your goals. These 'mini habits' are the foundation upon which larger, lasting habits can be built. What sets "Mini Habits" apart is Guise's ability to provide relatable examples and tangible advice that can be applied to daily life. There's no abstract theory or unattainable suggestions here, rather it's a book filled with realistic guidance that can be implemented by anyone, regardless of their current habits or lifestyle. If you, like me, have read numerous books on habit formation but still find yourself struggling to maintain and build upon your habits, I wholeheartedly recommend "Mini Habits". It is a game-changer, offering a fresh perspective and practical tools that can truly make a difference in your habit-building journey.

I don't often write reviews but I feel this book deserves one. I can only give it 5 stars but it deserves 10. I discovered this book through a reference in one of Tim Ferris's books. In the past I've tended to read self help books, tried hard to put the advice in action for a few weeks or months and then given up. This book however is changing my life and it seems effortless. Stephen gives you the science behind it all but most importantly, practical ways to implement what you are learning. Work has improved tremendously as has my personal life. Success begets success and I'm finding I want to learn and try new things now that I have a practical way to achieve them. You can apply these techniques to so many different areas in your life, like exercise, diet, study, learning new skills, relationships, money, etc etc etc. Once you have read this one l, recommend his next book on Imperfection. This is just as good and takes things a step further. I'm eagerly awaiting a third book (Stephen, I hope your 50 words a day is close to yielding the next one 😋). I gifted this book to my sister as I want it to help her like it's helping me. Im also very subtlety introducing some concepts to my little boy as he starts school as it will help him tremendously later in life. Buy this book, you will not regret it.

La información contenida es clara y sin rodeos. Los ejercicios o técnica que propone el autor se pueden aplicar inmediatamente y se da una explicación del porque funcionan. Un pequeño que fomenta la acción consistente paso es mejor que un gran paso sin continuidad.

En résumé, ce livre invite ses lecteurs à accomplir quelques mini-habits (« mini-habitude ») environ 3 par jour, dans les domaines que l''individu souhaite améliorer (ex/condition physique, relation sociale, travail...). Même si l''auteur explique bien sur le plan théorique ce qui sous-tend l''intérêt de mettre en place ces mini-habits, il s''agit essentiellement d''une approche pragmatique, concrète qui a pour but d''entrainer des changements de comportements (même minimes au début, il s'agit d'ailleurs d'un des points particulièrement intéressant de ce livre), qui s'accompagneront alors de changements dans nos pensées et nos émotions. L''auteur explique bien ce concept de mini-habits et j''ai trouvé le tout cohérent, référencé et clairement expliqué. Assez facile à lire en anglais je pense (même si c''est dommage qu''il ne soit pas traduit en français), mais je ne regrette pas du tout de ne pas avoir attendu une éventuelle traduction qui ne viendra peut-être jamais, surtout que l''auteur explique plusieurs fois, à différents moments du livre, les mêmes concepts, donc finalement j''ai l''impression d'avoir compris l''essentiel'... Et pour finir sur une note positive: ça marche vraiment' et c''est bien là le plus important avec un livre de « self-help ». Pour moi, vraiment très très bien, à essayer!!!

A proposta do livro é criar o hábito e ponto final. E para criar o hábito não precisamos começar com nada grandioso. Se quer ler, comece com 2 páginas. 2 páginas é um número ridículo, na concepção do autor, e, portanto, impossível falharmos. Se quer exercitar-se, comece com 10 minutos. Provavelmente você fará mais que 2 páginas, mais que 10 minutos, mas a ideia é realmente criar o hábito! :) Recomendo!