Best Books on Habits

These are the best books on habits that can help you form new habits or change existing unhealthy habits.

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“Atomic Habits” by James Clear

Of all the best books on habits out there, this may be the most popular. And for good reason. James Clear, one of the world’s leading experts on habit formation, offers a proven framework for improving habits. HIs practical strategies teach you exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results. | View book

“The Power of Habit” by Charles Duhigg

This is a classic book from award-winning business reporter Charles Duhigg. He explores how to change your life by changing your habits. He presents the science of how habits work. With that understanding, he says, you can make powerful changes in your life. | View book

“Tiny Habits” by BJ Fogg

This book is based on 20 years of research coaching more than 40,000 people as a Stanford University habit expert. In this step-by-step guide, Fogg teaches you to design habits that increase productivity. And you’ll get tips for how to stick them. | View book

“The Willpower Instinct” by Kelly McGonigal

This is the first book to explain the science of self-control, based on latest research and insights from psychology, economics, neuroscience, and medicine. From Stanford University psychologist Kelly McGonigal, learn how to harness self-control to improve health, happiness, and productivity. | View book

“Better Than Before” by Gretchen Rubin

No magic, one-size-fits-all solution for creating good habits exists. In this book, though, Rubin identifies every approach that actually works. And she shares a practical framework for better understanding and changing your habits. | View book

“High-Performance Habits” by Brendon Burchard

Coach Burchard says high performers have mastered six habits—clarity, energy, necessity, productivity, influence, and courage. In this book, he shares how to learn and deploy these habits across all contexts of life. With these habits, he says, you can reach and sustain long-term success. | View book

“Drive” by Daniel Pink

Most people believe that the best way to motivate is with rewards (the carrot-and-stick approach). Pink says that’s a mistake. In this book, Pink draws on four decades of research into human motivation. From that research, he found three elements of true motivation—autonomy, mastery, and purpose. And he gives techniques for putting them into action. | View book