Andrew Mina

So I finally read it. 

I had been meaning to read it. 

I wanted to read it, and even had been recommended to read it on several occasions (and maybe to you have too).

And Everyone said it’s a must read. Has a 4.33 / 5 rating on Goodreads.

So, in 2022, I bought it – Atomic Habits by James Clear. 

And I took it my summer holidays with full intention of reading it while away in sunny Venice, Italy. 

But as it happens, I was ready for a break from work non-fiction and I read some personal stories. 

Stories like Dervla Murphy’s account of her trip as she rode a bicycle from Dublin, Ireland to Mumbai, India. Super fascinating and I am not sure it is a feat that will be even replicated. 

And so it goes I never read it. 

You have to remember it was published in 2018, I was coming to it late by 2022. But here we are in 2025 and I’ve finally read it. 

I think it was an easier read in 2025. By now, we are somewhat familiar with a lot of the concepts and ideas that Clear talks about. 

I understood his hypothesis and it was something that wasn’t so far out that I was like, wow, this is so, you know, groundbreaking for me that I had to take the time to process and think how to appropriate in my life and my work. And so, it was good read. 

What else that has happened is that James has a great weekly newsletter that comes out on a Thursday. I am a subscriber (and you should to – even if to try it out for a month or so). It is short, sharp, interesting, and written, inspirational, and totally shareable. 

So, what was the motivation to read it now? The motivation came from my colleague, Josh, and we read at the same time. Over a couple of months, we just took time to chat about it, to read it, and there was accountability to read it. Accountability is never wasted when it comes to reading!

Now, this book has some great insights, some poignant moments of reflection, but it also has this sense of light and shade. 

“Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become. No single instance will transform your beliefs, but as the votes build up, so does the evidence of your new identity.” James Clear

There are some things in there which were light and humorous, and as such achievable. There are also some darker areas where I need more time to think about them, to process, to actually work on. 

A book like this needs this type of balance both pushing you on and drawing you in. 

But what really struck me about reading it with a colleague is how powerful this book is in a work context, especially when read by team or a group of colleagues. 

And how significant it could be getting a team to go connect, especially if it has newly been formed or reformed. 

I know we’re all about productivity these days and a book like this, about atomic habits, about doing things that take us forward! Not looking for the amazing high moments of life, but the everyday make progress. Do better, be focused, be intentional, say yes and say no at the right times. 

“Success is the product of daily habits—not once-in-a-lifetime transformations.” James Clear

This is a great book for a team to sit and read through which will lead to:

• how they best communicate one-to-one and employee-to-manager
• how they share the information
• how they actually make it work together for them

What supports the work is that Clear does it from a point of view that he doesn’t over exaggerate. He doesn’t make it harder or make it more complex or fancy than it really is. And he synthesizes down to what is essential.

We all only have so much time in the day to read and apply what we have read. If you’re not sure this book is for you, go to your local library and borrow it. At the end of every chapter, there’s a summary. As you read the chapter summaries you’ll soon figure out if this book is something that I want to give my time to.

So, four out of five stars, read it, highlight it, make notes in it right through it. Don’t treat it as some sort of sacred text. Make it a practical text.

Finally, be open to talk about the big things that we’ve learned along the way.