What to Read After Atomic Habits

Introduction: Books to Keep Your Momentum

If you’ve read Atomic Habits by James Clear, you’ve already taken an important step in your self-improvement journey. These 11 books will help you keep making progress.

Books That Feel Like a Conversation With a Wise Friend

Clear’s writing makes a rather dry topic feel friendly and approachable. Reading these books also feels like sharing a chat with a smart friend who gives good advice.

Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey: Part memoir, Greenlights shares McConaughey’s vivid account of his upbringing in rural Texas, his adventures in the movie business, and his lifelong search for love and fatherhood. Part life guide, this book also illustrates his philosophy of following “greenlights,” those moments that let you know your life is on the right track.

You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero: Are you getting the most out of your life? In You Are a Badass, Sincero helps you identify and change the self-sabotaging patterns stopping you from living up to your badass potential. She explains why you are the way you are, how to change what you don’t like, and how to love yourself as you create an awesome life.

(Shortform tip: Enjoy these books in their audiobook version, and listen to our narrated book guides, to heighten the feeling of receiving advice from a friend.)

Books With Insights You Can Apply Today

Just like Atomic Habits, these two books are full of practical tips you can start implementing as soon as you put them down.

The Power of Discipline by Daniel Walter: Have you experienced situations where, despite knowing what you should do, you’re compelled by an inner voice to do something easier or more enjoyable? In The Power of Discipline, Daniel Walter explains the biological tendencies that hinder self-discipline and how to overcome them.

Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins: We’ve all imagined the life we want, but most of us become so bogged down with daily obligations that we stop pursuing our dreams. In Awaken the Giant Within, life coach Tony Robbins provides insights and exercises to help you achieve your dreams by mastering your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

(Shortform tip: Before diving into these books, set an intention. Having a clear goal will prime you to identify the insights that are most relevant to your needs. For example, consider whether there’s a specific challenge that you’d like these books to help you overcome.)

Books That Explain Why You’re the Way You Are… and How to Change

Atomic Habits likely sparked your curiosity about the human mind and behavior. These three books by psychologists offer unique perspectives on what makes humans tick and how to shape your behavior.

The Willpower Instinct by Kelly McGonigal: Most people think willpower—the ability to exercise self-control—is admirable, but out of their reach. Yet, science tells us that willpower is an instinct that's wired into our brains. In The Willpower Instinct, psychology professor Kelly McGonigal details how to protect your willpower to defeat procrastination, control cravings, and achieve your goals.

Mindset by Carol Dweck: In Mindset, psychologist Carol Dweck argues that your beliefs determine the course of your life. You have one of two mindsets: that personal qualities such as intelligence are innate and unchangeable, or that you can change and grow. Becoming aware of your mindset—and adjusting it—can impact whether you achieve your personal and professional goals.

Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi: In Flow, psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi argues that we’re happiest when we experience a “flow state”: a sense of enjoyment, purpose, and meaning. He explains how to find flow in your work and relationships by dedicating yourself to challenging yet attainable goals.

(Shortform tip: As you read these books, consider keeping a commonplace book: a repository for lines from books, podcasts, or anything else that resonates with you as you read or listen to others’ work. Keeping a commonplace book captures the person you’re becoming as you move through your life and learn new insights. Proponents of the practice say that it helps you keep track of the things that are meaningful to you. Additionally, commonplace books make it easy to return to your insights later, without needing to reread a book.)

Books to Keep Technology From Messing With Your New Habits

If you tried to implement a new habit but the rectangular screen in your pocket got in the way, these two books will help you get back on track.

Indistractable by Nir Eyal: In Indistractable, Nir Eyal teaches you how to gain the modern-day superpower of “indistractability” so you can start driving your life instead of letting its distractions drive you. You’ll learn how your distractions start, why you should base your schedule on your values, and how to limit the power of external triggers in your life.

Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport: You can transform your tech habits by learning how to use technology to support your values. In Digital Minimalism, Newport explains how tech companies make their apps addictive and why trading your smartphone for a dumb phone could change your life.

(Shortform tip: To honor the spirit of these books, consider reading physical copies rather than digital versions. Also, have a pencil nearby to take notes on the margins or in your commonplace book. Taking notes by hand helps you remember important insights, and it can be a welcome change of pace from typing or tapping—a change Eyal and Newport would likely celebrate.)

Books to Perfect Your Positive Habits

Atomic Habits is all about, well, habits. These two books offer more insights into the art and science of building—or kicking—habits.

The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg: In The Power of Habit, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Charles Duhigg draws on extensive research to explore how habits develop into automatic behaviors that influence our personal lives, businesses, and communities. Besides providing a practical framework to help you change any habit, he explores the power of collective habits in shaping your behavior.

Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg: Have you ever tried to introduce a new habit and flopped? In Tiny Habits, Stanford behavioral scientist BJ Fogg diagnoses why you failed and shows you how to succeed next time. Fogg’s method is judgment-free and science-based. While Atomic Habits focuses on the sequential stages by which a habit forms, Tiny Habits emphasizes the elements necessary for a habit.

(Shortform tip: Have a specific habit in mind as you read these books—for example, regularly tidying your home. When you find a strategy you want to try, experiment with the habit you’ve chosen. This will help you test the tips’ effectiveness right away.)