Atomic Habits is a self-help book written by James Clear, a world-renowned habits expert.
Throughout the book, he reveals simple and practical life hacks for forming new habits and breaking bad ones.
Since I write about running and I’m just now reading the best guide on habits, I noted five points that inspired me the most and will use them to answer the most asked question on Google by runners: How to Make Running A Habit/Lifestyle.
So, from the book Atomic Habits, here are 5 ways to make running a part of your life.
- Focus on Systems, Not Goals
Goals are about the desired results, while systems are about the processes that lead to those results.
When you focus too much on achieving the goal, you lose sight of the in-between, the process, and the systems, which are the most important because they get you to your goal.
For example, if you’re a beginner runner, your goal could be to run 5km, but your system is how regularly you run and exercise. If you’re an endurance runner, your goal might be to run an ultramarathon, but your system is how smart you train and your mental strength during long, painful runs.
The author says goals are good because they provide direction, but systems are great because they lead to improvements and remarkable results.
2. Change Your Identity
Your identity is who you are and what you believe.
To change your identity, you must continuously edit your beliefs about your behavior.
For example, to run in the morning, you should believe you’re a morning person and start waking up early, to love trail running, believe you’re a trail runner, and start running trails, and no matter how slow you run, believe that you are a runner.
The book says that your identity emerges from your habits and it’s hard to change your habits if you never change the underlying beliefs that led to your past behavior.
3. Your Environment Matters More than Motivation
Mr Clear says your habits change because of the room you’re in and the cues in front of you.
For example, if you walk into a kitchen and see a plate of cookies on the counter, you’re likely to pick some and start eating even if you aren’t hungry.
Thus, if you want to make a habit a big part of your life, make the cue obvious in your environment.
If you want to run in the morning, place your running gear next to your bed the night before.
A small change in what you see can lead to a big shift in what you do.
4. Join a Running Group
In the book, the author calls it a tribe.
He says new habits seem achievable when you see others doing them daily. Therefore, the most effective way to build a lasting habit is to join a group where your desired behavior is the normal behaviour.
If you want to start running, join a running group because when you’re surrounded by runners, you’re most likely to see running as a normal or common habit.
5. Love The Boredom
As habits become routine, they become less interesting and less satisfying. We get bored, says the author.
One sure way to stay focused when we get bored working on our goals is to fall in love with the boredom.
Focus on running daily, no matter your mood or how boring the running routine gets. That’s how you become a master of your craft, a consistent runner, and a great athlete.
In his exact words, the only way to become excellent is to be endlessly fascinated by doing the same thing over and over.
You have to fall in love with boredom.
Now I’d like to hear from you.
Are you a consistent runner? What tips have helped you manage to make running an unbreakable habit?
Comment in the comment section below to encourage other runners.
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