7 Best Books for Building Habits: Your Guide to Lasting Change

Find the best books for building habits that will change your life. Learn from authors such as Stephen Covey and Charles Duhigg to break bad habits and develop lasting ones.

If you’re like me, you’ve likely spent much of your time thinking about ways to develop new habits and break bad ones.

You may have tried various methods and read a few articles or followed suggestions from your peers and experts. However, there’s always the problem: How can I ensure these changes last for the long haul?

Today, I’d like to discuss something that has worked for me and countless others: books. Many popular books on building habits have helped people worldwide find the best ways to make lasting changes. No need exists to create a new system. The information is already in the open; you must find it.

Let’s get started and discuss some of the best guides to habits and how these guides can help you transform your life.

1. Atomic Habits by James Clear

If you’re looking for books on habit, Atomic Habits by James Clear is at the top of the list for almost every category. The book is a game changer for anyone interested in developing good habits and breaking bad ones.

James Clear offers a clear and effective way to build habits. He explains that small, simple habits are essential for long-term success. Tiny changes can lead to significant results over time.

The four-step system of cue anticipation, craving, reaction, and reward shows how our brains follow certain patterns. Hacking this system is crucial to creating positive habits while breaking those that hold you back.

Suppose you’re tired of setting massive goals only to drop them a few weeks later. In that case, Atomic Habits will give you the tools to make small, easy changes. These changes can lead to lasting and significant results.

2. The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg

The next book on our list of top books to help build habits is The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg. The New York Times bestseller explores the science of habits. It explains why we act the way we do and how we can change our habits.

Duhigg shows how habits function at a neural level. By understanding the “habit loop”—cue, routine, and reward—you can break bad habits. You can also replace them with better ones.

Duhigg shares fascinating tales of how habits have shaped the history of mankind and even entire corporations. From the civil rights struggle to the rise of Starbucks, Duhigg demonstrates the power of habits.

The book can help you comprehend your habits more fundamentally, allowing you to alter them in lasting ways.

3. Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg

If you’re looking for a practical, hands-on approach to habit-forming, BJ Fogg’s Tiny Habits is an absolute must-read. Fogg is a psychologist at Stanford University. He explains that creating small, simple routines is the best way to make lasting changes.

The basic idea is identical to the Atomic Habits. Start with a small size. Fogg’s approach is to break habits down into their most minor form.

Are you looking to get into a routine of brushing your teeth? Start with one tooth!

This may sound like a joke, but its underlying psychology is logical. By making this habit so simple that you’ll never refuse to. In time, these little modifications can become more significant changes that can change your life.

BJ Fogg’s method is ideal for those who need help staying committed to their ambitious goals. Making success a certainty involves keeping your goals simple and easily achievable.

4. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

We need to mention a key book when discussing habits. That book is Stephen Covey’s classic, “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.” While this book has been out for a long time, it is the foundation for anyone interested in personal growth.

Covey’s approach centers on what he calls “true north” principles. These are timeless truths that can help you build good habits. This approach does not focus on quick fixes or new techniques. Instead, it aims for deep and lasting changes in your work and personal life.

Covey’s seven principles are important for building character and achieving lasting success. These include being proactive, focusing on goals, and seeking meaning before understanding. These principles are as applicable today as when Covey first wrote his book.

5. Breaking Bad Habits: Why We Do What We Do by Charles Duhigg

Charles Duhigg makes a second appearance on this list by Breaking Bad Habits. This book can benefit those more interested in breaking bad habits than creating new ones.

Duhigg explores the science of habit loops from his book, The Power of Habit. He helps readers understand the triggers and rewards that drive their negative behaviors. In the next chapter, he will show how to implement adjustments to help you overcome these bad habits.

It can be overwhelming, but Duhigg’s precise method makes the process manageable. He will guide you through each step and provide practical suggestions that you can implement immediately.

6. The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy

The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy is a great book for anyone who wants to make lasting changes. It focuses on changing habits. Hardy’s premise is that success results from small, consistent actions repeated over time. This concept is similar to that of The Atomic Habits or Tiny Habits authors.

In the book, Hardy describes how tiny daily choices, sometimes not thinking about them, can affect our lives. The positive side? You can leverage the effect of compounding to your advantage by making minor positive modifications.

Hardy’s method is beneficial when seeking motivation to continue despite slow progress. Hardy reminds us that outstanding achievements don’t happen overnight but with constant effort over time.

7. The Power of Habit by Stephen Covey

This one may sound like a rerun. This shows the difference in Stephen Covey’s focus on habits in his work, “The Power of Habit.” This book looks at the often-overlooked link between forming habits and the values we have for ourselves.

Covey based his book on the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. In this case, it focuses on how aligning your behavior with your values can change your life.

We often try to build new habits. However, we do not think about how they match our values or goals. Covey insists on identifying your values and long-term goals before beginning any habit-making process. This makes it easier to adhere to new routines and break old ones that aren’t helpful.

Final thought

In a world full of quick fixes, building good habits for long-term success takes effort, patience, and a plan. The books we’ve discussed —Atomic Habits, The Power of Habit, Tiny Habits, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Breaking Bad Habits, and The Compound Effect—provide a unique viewpoint on overcoming bad habits and bringing about lasting positive changes.

If you want to make small changes to your habits, these books can help. They provide the information and tools you need to succeed.

It’s not necessary to struggle to break your habits by yourself. These authors have conducted their own research and created the steps to follow. Now, it’s your responsibility to take that first step.
Happy reading, and here’s to building the habits that will lead to a more effective, fulfilling life!

A dedicated school teacher with almost 20 years of experience in education. A lifelong lover of books, Shuvra finds joy in reading and sharing insightful reviews of various genres.