Mini Habits
Smaller Habits, Bigger Results
by Stephen Guise · first published 2013
75% recommend17% neutral8% critical
Why HN recommends it
Argues for tiny, near-effortless daily habits, such as one pushup, that succeed even on bad days. Readers say it helped them start and keep routines like writing, exercise, and reading. Suits anyone building consistency.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
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Mini Habits - It gave me a new perspective of how to go about making changes in my life, that aren't so burdensome. I have developed several habits: a. Writing a Gratitude Journal b. Going to Gym in the morning…
on “Ask HN: Books you wish you had read earlier?” ↗1. Body by Science - changed my view about exercising. HIIT for 12 minutes a week seems more doable and fun for a busy life. And it actually works. 2. Mini Habits - the only routine building method that worked for me.
on “Ask HN: What book changed your life in 2014?” ↗…the 2001 version I read two years ago, I use the general idea and it helps to have a clear head when your fighting fires daily. Never Split the Difference - some very practical negotiation strategies. Mini Habits by Stephen Guise - short book but awesome method. I am still doing the one pushup habit since last March. How to Shoot Video That Doesn't Suck by Steve Stockman - I wanted to improve my video production…
on “Ask HN: Best books you read in the past decade?” ↗Other books in a similar vein that I liked: _One Small Step Can Change Your Life: The Kaizen Way_ by Robert Maurer _Mini Habits: Smaller Habits, Bigger Results_ by Stephen Guise Both are short reads, and the Kaizen book is also in a nice small form factor that you can stick in your back pocket. These books emphasize the importance…
on “The unreasonable effectiveness of just showing up everyday” ↗If you want to harness your own habitual behavior you should check out Minihabits. Using some of the techniques in the book got me writing every day http://www.amazon.com/Mini-Habits-Smaller-Bigger-Results-ebo...
on “Ask HN: What book changed your life in 2014?” ↗…can achieve them even on those rainy days. Willpower alone (and maybe a reminder) will make you achieve it, motivation usually goes down quickly. I found this book really helpful, http://www.amazon.com/Mini-Habits-Smaller-Bigger-Results/dp/...
on “Ask HN: How do you motivate yourself?” ↗1> Power of Habit - Charles Duhigg http://www.amazon.com/The-Power-Habit-What-Business/dp/08129... 2> Mini Habits - Stephen guise http://www.amazon.com/Mini-Habits-Smaller-Bigger-Results-ebo... After reading these books I am now able to successfully create new habits. Last year I tried to get into a habit of reading…
on “Ask HN: What book changed your life in 2015?” ↗1. The One Thing. ~ Gary Keller 2. Mini Habits. ~ Stephen Guise 3. Learned Optimism. ~ Martin Seligman 4. Spark. ~ John Ratey 5. Miracle of Mindfulness. ~ Thich nhat hanh
on “Ask HN: Books you wish you had read earlier?” ↗…a plan the night before. Even breaking things down into small tasks. The Pomodoro Technique is super helpful when you need to get some momentum and just plow through stuff. Also check out the book Mini Habits by Stephen Guise. It is a great technique for building momentum.
on “Ask HN: How do I find energy to work on hobbies after the work day ends?” ↗I would highly recommend using mini habits to help get started. Stephen Guise wrote a book Mini Habits that is quite short but to the point on how to implement these. https://www.amazon.com/Mini-Habits-Smaller-Bigger-Results/dp... Using the…
on “Ask HN: Solo developer, what's your recipe to start working?” ↗…https://www.chestergrant.com/notes-the-willpower-instinct-by-kelly-mcgonigal 5. Sleep Smarter - https://www.chestergrant.com/highlights-from-sleep-smarter-by-shawn-stevenson Productivity 1. Mini-Habit - https://www.chestergrant.com/26-highlights-from-mini-habits-by-stephen-guise 2. Checklist Manifesto - https://www.chestergrant.com/highlights-from-the-checklist-manifesto-by-atul-gawande 3. The rise of superman - https://www.chestergrant.com/summary-the-rise-of-superman-by-steven-kotler Business…
on “Ask HN: How do you work on your mental health?” ↗That was a long time ago. I lost most of it about decade ago and turned most of the rest into muscle. Running daily. Don't count calories. Read this book: https://www.amazon.com/Mini-Habits-Weight-Loss-Suffering/dp/... Calorie counting does not work (that's exact point of my post). What you need to do is to teach yourself to eat and behave as if you were healthy and this gets down to building…
on “How food powers the body's metabolism” ↗You also need to read "Mini Habits: Smaller Habits, Bigger Results". I've been successful with a mini-habit for about three months now.
on “Ask HN: Which book are you reading these days?” ↗…[great courses] 45. Prof. Seth Lerer: The Life and Writings of John Milton [great courses] 46. Prof. Robert Greenberg: Great Masters: Stravinsky - His Life and Music [great courses] 47. Stephen Guise: Mini Habits: Smaller Habits, Bigger Results 48. J.R.R. Tokien: Hobbit 49. George Orwell: Animal Farm 50. Prof. Seth Freeman: The Art of Negotiating the Best Deal [great courses] 51. Ram Dass: Be Here Now 52.…
on “Ask HN: Books you read in 2015?” ↗I'm currently reading "Mini Habits: Smaller Habits, Bigger Results" and have to say it's could work for me. I've battled with starting/stopping side projects. This book presents an interesting argument in that willpower and making "stupid…
on “Ask HN: How do you stay motivated to work on side projects?” ↗