If, like all most of us here at First Psychology Newcastle, you have a love of coffee and spend much of your day popping in and out of Costa, Starbucks or Central Bean, you may decide to save some money in the New Year by changing this unhelpful (and expensive) habit.

Habits are the invisible architecture of our daily lives. They influence everything from our productivity to our wellbeing. James Clear’s groundbreaking book, Atomic Habits, provides a roadmap for creating good habits, breaking bad ones, and achieving meaningful change through small, consistent actions. If you want to achieve new things like finally getting that new job, getting fit enough to complete the Great North Run, or indeed just spending a little more time doing the things you enjoy, new habits are what you need to focus on. 

The idea behind this is that small, incremental changes – ‘atomic habits’ — are the building blocks of lasting transformation. While grand resolutions often fail, tiny habits build over time to produce extraordinary results. Think of saving £1 daily. This may seem insignificant on a daily level, but over time, it can accumulate into something seriously worth having.

In thinking about habits in this way,  resolutions become easier to complete, particularly if you follow what Clear describes as the four laws of change. 

Make it obvious – habits are easier to build when they're visible. For example, place a book on your pillow as a cue to read before bed

Make it attractive – aim to pair new habits with something enjoyable that acts as a reward. For example, listen to your favourite podcast when you go to the gym. 

Make it easy – simplify things as much as you can. For instance, prepare your kit in advance of your lunchtime run around Gosforth Park

Make it satisfying – celebrate your small wins as this reinforces positive behaviour and encourages you to keep going.  

The focus on tiny changes means transformation becomes something that is not a large scale overhaul doomed to failure, but a process of accomplishing small, manageable steps each day. So whether you’re looking to improve health, relationships, or career, it would be be worth making sure you remember that the path to greatness is paved with the small things you do every day.