Mini Habits: Smaller Habits, Bigger Results
I really liked this book. The suggestions in it are practical, down to earth, and doable. I’ve already started setting “stupid easy” goals to see what I can accomplish.
When I decided to start exercising consistently 10 years ago, this is what actually happened:
I tried “getting motivated.” It worked sometimes.
I tried setting audacious big goals. I almost always failed them.
I tried to make changes last. They didn’t.
Like most people who try to change and fail, I assumed that I was the problem.
Then one afternoon–after another failed attempt to get motivated to exercise–I (accidentally) started my first mini habit. I initially committed to do one push-up, and it turned into a full workout. I was shocked. This “stupid idea” wasn’t supposed to work. I was shocked again when my success with this strategy continued for months (and to this day).
I had to consider that maybe I wasn’t the problem in those 10 years of mediocre results. Maybe it was my prior strategies that were ineffective, despite being oft-repeated as “the way to change” in countless books and blogs.
My suspicions were correct.
Is There A Scientific Explanation For This?
As I sought understanding, I found a plethora of scientific studies that had answers, with nobody to interpret them correctly. Based on the science–which you’ll find peppered throughout Mini Habits–we’ve been doing it all wrong.
You can succeed without the guilt, intimidation, and repeated failure associated with such strategies as “getting motivated,” New Year’s Resolutions, or even “just doing it.” In fact, you need to stop using those strategies if they aren’t giving you great results.
Most popular strategies don’t work well because they require you to fight against your subconscious brain (a fight not easily won). It’s only when you start playing by your brain’s rules and taking your human limitations seriously–as mini habits show you how to do–that you can achieve lasting change.
What’s A Mini Habit?
A mini habit is a very small positive behavior that you force yourself to do every day; its “too small to fail” nature makes it weightless, deceptively powerful, and a superior habit-building strategy. You will have no choice but to believe in yourself when you’re always moving forward.
The barrier to the first step is so low that even depressed or “stuck” people can find early success and begin to reverse their lives right away. And if you think one push-up a day is too small to matter, I’ve got one heck of a story for you!
Aim For The First Step
They say when you aim for the moon, you’ll land among the stars. Well, that doesn’t make sense, as the moon is closer than the stars. I digress.
The message is that you should aim very high and even if you fall short, you’ll still get somewhere. I’ve found the opposite to be true in regards to productivity and healthy behaviors. When you aim for the moon, you won’t do anything because it’s too far away. But when you aim for the step in front of you, you might keep going and reach the moon.
I’ve used the Mini Habits strategy to get into the best shape of my life, read 10x more books, and write 4x as many words. It started from requiring one push-up from myself every day. How ridiculous is that? Not so ridiculous when you consider the science of the brain, habits, and willpower.
The Mini Habits system works because it’s how our brains are designed to change.
Notes:
This book isn’t for eliminating bad habits (some principles could be useful for breaking habits). Mini Habits is a strategy to create permanent healthy habits in: exercise, writing, reading, thinking positively, meditating, drinking water, eating healthy foods, etc.
The “look inside” preview has weird spacing. The actual book is cleanly spaced and formatted.
Give Mini Habits a try: it might just change your life!
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What’s Your Worldview?: An Interactive Approach to Life’s Big Questions
I would happily recommend this book to someone in the beginning stages of worldview exploration, either a believer or not. Readers will probably come away with more questions, but that is probably a positive thing as well.
How Do You View the World?
It’s a big question. And how you answer is one of the most important things about you.
Not sure what you’d say? Join James Anderson on an interactive journey of discovery aimed at helping you understand and evaluate the options when it comes to identifying your worldview. Cast in the mold of a classic “Choose Your Own Adventure” story, What’s Your Worldview? will guide you toward intellectually satisfying answers to life’s biggest questions—equipping you to think carefully about not only what you believe but why you believe it and how it impacts the rest of your life.
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This book by two neuroscientists is an outstanding, fun and smart introductory guide to the function of the brain . They explain how the brain does all sorts of cool things for us (what makes you a morning person vs. a late-night person, how your brain complicates trying to lose weight).
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America Looks Up: Reaching Toward Heaven for Hope and Healing
This book will renew your faith in God, and thus, will renew your hopes and dreams and inspire you to reach for them. Don’t worry, if you slip…God will be there. Nothing can happen to you that God can’t take care of. God Bless!
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Streams in the Desert: 366 Daily Devotional Readings
This is the best Devotional Book I have ever read! Every author, of this compilation, has gone through much pain and sorrow! There are many, many encouraging words in this book. I’ve given away dozens to hurting people and I will continue to do so. There will always be a need for this book! Are you suffering in any way? Get this book! Are you in a desert experience? The Water of Life you will receive from this book will bless you and give you HOPE! STREAMS IN THE DESERT will refresh every thirsty and weary traveler!
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Safe in the Fold (Parable Praise Party)
My little ones love this book. It is a simple small story, still beautiful and true to the parable. The illustrations are very beautiful and fun.
But this is no ordinary party—this is the Parable Praise Party with bestselling Christian recording artist Mary Rice Hopkins! This storybook tells the biblical parable of the lost sheep. The exclusive Faith Parenting Guide helps moms and dads remind their children just how safe and secure they are in God’s care! Deliciously fun art holds the attention of little ones. What could be better?
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Celebrating more than 25 years in family music ministry, Mary Rice Hopkins has captured the hearts of children and grown-ups alike. Mary is also known for keynote speaking and leading worship at national events and conferences.
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Billy Graham: The Greatest Evangelist (Heroes of the Faith)
I highly recommend this book. It is an amazing story of courage, destiny, and God’s love. It will build your faith.
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very good up to date story and plot full of Christians characters struggling to survive in a world of chaos. existing and working with non-christians showing them the gospel. Surviving through praying.
When Father Nathan O’Brien is arrested for refusing to preach the messages mandated by the Religious Unity Agency, Michael Linton and Jeff Conners call attention to abuses of government power by setting up The Wall, a website which publishes the names of all those who have vanished. Soon, the entire country is talking about the problems of indefinite detention, but before long, the Electronic Communications’ Agency dubs The Wall the greatest act of terrorism in U.S. history and arrests Michael and Jeff as domestic terrorists.
With Michael and Jeff gone, Michael’s wife Kris and her brother Keith know that the time has come for them to stand up for the Constitution and fight for the laws of our country.
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Forewarned: A Contemporary Christian Suspense Romance Novel
This is the first novel written by Debra Ullrick that I have read. I found it very hard to put down once I started reading it. It was filled with suspense and love. Also a very good lesson that we need to listen to God instead of our own hearts. I highly recommend this novel. You won’t be disappointed.
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Love’s Gamble: Inspirational Historical Romance (The Brides of Julian Creek Series)
Tina Dee’s book is fast paced and fun. The story sucks you in and won’t turn you loose until you are finished reading it. One of my favorite stories in this category in a long time. I can’t wait to see more books from this author!
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Priscilla’s Story: The Tomato Patch Novel (The Amish Chronicles)
Priscilla Smucker is excited to begin her rumschpringe, looking forward to attending youth singings and volleyball games. She did not, however, expect to receive the attention of Stephen Esh, an attractive young man with a wonderful reputation in her church district. His attention spurns a different type of scrutiny from Susie Byler, another Amish youth with a troubled past and mischief on her mind.
As Priscilla and Stephen’s relationship develops, Susie Byler becomes more desperate in her attempts to discredit Priscilla in the community. The Tomato Patch Novel explores bullying in an Amish community, revealing how no culture is immune to the petty jealousies that drive people to harass and exploit others.
Based upon the best-selling series, The Amish of Ephrata, this novel contains all four of the novellas (The Tomato Patch, The Quilting Bee, The Hope Chest, and The Clothes Line) along with expanded content, making the novel geared more for adult readers.
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