Tiny Habits by B J Fogg

I've read scores of books on forming habits so why would I read another one? Fogg proposes a new framework for developing change in our lives. His idea is to design new habits in tiny steps so that the motivation and ability are both high. He gives us the tools to evaluate the effectiveness of possible habits and our motivation to do them. He suggests establishing habits we can do in 30 seconds or less. He helps us understand the role of emotions in establishing habits. He informs us on the strategic nature of having prompts. He invites to celebrate our successes, something essential to cementing the habit.

I learned a great deal in this book, clarifying why I had been unsuccessful in habit making before and how to make habits the easiest to do. I learned I could redesign my environment to help in habit formation. Fogg provided strategies for growing habits and for stopping unwanted habits. He included many ideas for establishing habits in a work environment too.

Fogg has included many encouraging stories of people who have successfully established positive changes in their lives. He also includes a number of helpful lists and charts in his Appendixes as well as providing additional resources at TinyHabits.com.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

B J Fogg, PhD, founded the Behavior Design Lab at Standford University. In addition to research, Fogg teaches industry innovators how human behavior really works. He created the Tiny Habits Academy to help people around the world. He lives in Northern California and on Maui.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 320 pages.