James Clear, the author of Atomic Habits, provides a simple framework to build small daily habits that actually stick. Most people fail at habit-building because they focus on motivation instead of systems.

You want to build habits that last, but you have no idea where to start.

You set goals like:

• Writing every day

• Journaling consistently

• Going to the gym four times a week

But despite your best intentions, you struggle to stay consistent.

You start strong, but after a few days or weeks, you fall back into old patterns. You tell yourself you’ll “try harder next time,” only to repeat the cycle.

So, how do you break out of this loop?

The Solution: James Clear’s 4-Step Habit Framework

James Clear breaks habit-building into four simple steps:

1. Make It Obvious – Set clear triggers for your habit. (Keep your workout clothes next to your bed so you remember to exercise.)

2. Make It Attractive – Link new habits to something enjoyable. (Listen to your favorite podcast while running.)

3. Make It Easy – Start small. (Instead of committing to 30 minutes of reading, start with just one page.)

4. Make It Satisfying – Reward yourself to reinforce the habit. (Use a habit tracker to see your progress.)

When you follow these four steps, habits stop feeling like a struggle and start becoming automatic.

What’s one habit you’ve been trying to build?