the byte n

A cue you can actually see

Look at the moment before a habit, not only the action.

Productivity · Book-inspired companion

Atomic Habits — James Clear

Clear’s public summary describes visible cues as one part of building a repeatable habit. The idea points attention towards the surroundings that invite an action, rather than relying entirely on a fresh decision.

Our experiment: choose a harmless action you want to repeat, such as reading a page. Put the relevant object where that action happens. For three attempts, notice whether you encounter the cue at the right moment. If not, move it. Do not treat a missed attempt as a character assessment.

Reading source

Atomic Habits · James Clear — author or publisher material

This original companion uses the linked public description or explanation. It is not a full-text book review. The exercise is ours.

Take a moment

Where does your reminder appear, and where does the action happen?