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!

The author wrote in a clear, concise, and engaging style. His suggestions are easy to follow. The information is easy to digest while still maintaining an insightful depth. Each section flowed smoothly into the next concept. The author also included some great online resources and links.

I started to apply the mini habits to some daily goals that I have been struggling with, and I haven't missed a day yet. The main key is making a habit "stupid small", in other words, the less willpower and less mental resistance that you have towards completing a habit, the easier you will keep doing it.

I really like the author's writing style. The more that I read, the more motivated I became.

If you fell stuck with developing or keeping habits and goals, this book is worth reading and applying the techniques.

This is an excellent book. It is clear, simple and could help you change your life.

The basic idea is to make progress in small steps, so that you build a habit without battling resistance. Simple? Certainly. Intelligent and helpful. Absolutely. The idea is to 'trick your brain' by choosing a goal or habit so small that you will always be able to do it, then do it daily (and you will find that you almost always exceed your goal, and build a habit). The trick is not to waste your willpower fighting resistance but choosing something so 'stupid small' that you have no resistance to it. The example that did it for Stephen after years of problems getting fit was to set the goal of doing just one pushup a day. If he did more bonus! But if he did one he still achieved his goal - and one pushup is an awful lot better than none.

The whole system is explained in one long chapter - so you can skip to there and then go back to read what interests you if you like. Stephen provides footnotes to academic literature where you can chase up the research if you wish to.

Criticisms? I found it a little repetitious at times. (I'm an intuitive - I like the main idea and its application spelt out and left at that). However what Stephen is saying is always clear and his reasoning is always spelt out. He also shows how his system is backed by the academic literature. You are not left at any stage needing to guess what he is saying or why he is saying it.

This book gives you everything you need to start changing your life one habit at a time, one 'stupid small' at a time. Recommended without hesitation or qualification.

Do you struggle to juggle all your responsibilities as a mom? Is self-care neglected because you're caring for other people constantly? I'm a mom of four. Two are in college, one has special needs, and the youngest is 9. I have always felt like I needed to be four different people, one person for each of my children because it requires so much of me to help them all. Do yourself a favor and READ THIS BOOK. You do not lack the will power. You do not lack the ability to achieve your goals. You CAN take care of yourself, your house, and your children every day. No matter what you think your MO is, you're better than all your failures. Inside your brain are all the plans, all the dreams, all the habits you need, just waiting to be released. I'm 50 years old. Yes, you can teach an old dog new tricks. Apart from the Bible, no other book has ever had this big of an impact on my life. Understanding how God created our brain to work is the KEY to success. I LOVE the success I am having each day in my "mini" ways and they have catapulted me to Much Bigger Results than I ever had before. Not only that, but all my kids are catching on. Even my youngest is being trained to change her life in mini ways. She is readily accepting and liking the success that she is having, like keeping her room clean!! I wish I had read this 20 years ago, when I first became a parent. But, better late than never. And, yes, you need to actually read the book. I just finished tonight and knew that I had to leave a review. Start living the life you always dreamed and be the person you always wanted to be. You can do it! God bless!!

I am on the last chapter of the book and I've already successfully implemented 3 mini habits into my life. I've also gifted it to a few friends. Easy to read. Short and sweet. It is a little repetitive, otherwise I would have given it a full five stars. Definitely recommend!

This book popped up as recommended reading on Amazon many times over the past year as I've searched and read and searched some more for the book that finally resonated with me as I navigate the tricky road of goal setting and following through. Just find The One Thing! (Keller & Papasan) Why can't I defeat Resistance and Do The Work! (The War of Art by Pressfield) For goodness sake, why am I not Getting Things Done?? (Allen) I'm sure all I need is The Power of Habit (Duhigg).

I can't think of anymore off the top of my head, but you get the idea. Don't get me wrong--these are all FANTASTIC books and I enjoyed reading them AND gained value from them AND I recommend them (seriously, read them all). But I'd find myself searching Amazon again for the one that would finally solve the problem for me and get me started on the path. And keep me on it.

So why did I keep passing this one by? Something about the cover didn't speak to me (I know, I know...don't judge a book by it's cover, but alas I did). But then I saw it as recommended reading by Mike Matthews on his MuscleForLife.com website. I respect him and his opinion so I decided to give it a shot. I'm so glad I did. Normally I download my books for free through our local library's OverDrive option. This book wasn't available through them, so I bought it. Worth every penny.

"Stupid small" goals are working wonders in my life in just a few weeks. This time it feels different. I've set enough goals and began this enough times in my 40+ years to know when it's different. Will it last? Can't answer that yet. But I am pretty good about updating my reviews, especially when I'm blown away by a product. I'm hopeful. And I've stopped the Amazon searching for the next goal fixer, which I think indicates something. I'm spending that time I used to spend reading & searching actually working toward my goals. And it feels great!

***Just a note about the other books--I really think they provided a nice base of knowledge. I do recommend reading them. And David Allen's Getting Things Done book was a game changer as well for me. I set it all up after reading that book and it works, but now I'm transferring all that to Trello (I love Trello!) and using Allen's ideas from the book with the software.

"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!