Follow *The Two-Minute Rule* To Build Consistent Habits

A lesson from ‘Atomic Habits’ by James Clear.

Graphics created by the author. Book image from jamesclear.com.

Your habits determine your identity and how successful you become. In addition, your outer circumstances are directly related to the habits you incorporate into your life. But still, a lot of people need help with developing consistent habits.

For example, you know that exercising is good for your health. If you exercise daily, you will become healthy and avoid diseases like obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Yet, you don’t do it. Similarly, smokers know that smoking is bad for their health. But they cannot seem to quit, even when they try hard.

Starting a new habit takes time, especially if it requires a lot of change. Some habits seem so big that you know beforehand that you will not be able to stick to them. In his book Atomic Habits, James Clear explains a simple rule called The Two-Minute Rule, which allows you to start a new habit by making a minor change at first. With this rule, even the big habits become easier to build.

The Two-Minute Rule

“Habits are automatic choices that influence the conscious decisions that follow.”

The two-minute rule says it takes only two minutes to start a new habit. How? Suppose you want to…