I turned 40 this year, and there has been something very beautiful and liberating about the age, but also very reflective.
I have spent these past ten months reflecting on my life as well as my habits, trying to think about how I want to spend my life or who I want to be in the “next 40 years” (cue in Tim McGraw).
So, our PMC Book Club’s January pick came at the right time.
Atomic Habits: Tiny Habits and Remarkable Results by James Clear is one of those non-fiction books that really hit home for a wide range of audiences of any age.
I know what you are thinking… “A self-help book?!”
I know because, frankly, that was my very first thought.
However- IT. IS. SO. MUCH. MORE.
Clear begins the book by defining the titular words, thus presenting his thesis right away- small changes can lead to the big things you desire.
There is a catch, though. Clear is simply not telling the reader to make the changes to become goal-oriented. Instead, he is telling them how to make small changes to be identity-oriented. In the book, he states:
“The ultimate form of intrinsic motivation is when a habit becomes part of your identity. It’s one thing to say I’m the type of person who wants this. It’s something very different to say I’m the type of person who is this.” – James Clear, Atomic Habits
Each chapter begins with anecdotal evidence supporting the fundamental rules: make it obvious, make it easy, make it attractive, and make it satisfying. Then, he follows with easy steps to do just that.
Our book club discussed several aspects of personality development based on the concepts of the book. Many agreed that the labels given to us (good or bad, by ourselves or others) carry through our lives.
We tell ourselves that “we aren’t crafty,” “we aren’t a runner,” “we aren’t a good cook,” etc., when, in fact, many times, we just weren’t shown the way in the first place.
This book truly can show the readers “the way” to change those labels or, at the very least, provide a new perspective on how to turn in that direction, whether you are a self-reflective 40-year-old or an up-and-coming 10-year-old.
The PMC Book Club’s March pick is “The First Ladies” by Heather Terrell and Victoria Christopher Murray.
We hope you join us.
