As a Man Thinketh
A short, timeless essay on how our thoughts shape our character, circumstances and life.
“I want routines that actually stick”
Build better habits
If you've started new routines many times and watched them fade, the problem is probably the method, not you. These books explain how habits work and how to design ones that last.
- 33 books that help
Start with these
The three books we'd hand you first.
Atomic Habits
James Clear
Small changes, repeated daily, add up to a life that looks completely different. A clear, practical system…
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Stephen R. Covey
Seven principles for leading yourself first, then working well with others. One of the most influential…
On Writing
Stephen King
Part memoir, part writing guide: Stephen King on the craft, discipline and joy of writing.
More books that help
Burn
An evolutionary anthropologist's research on how our bodies really use energy, and why exercise matters for more than…
Discipline Is Destiny
Stoic lessons on self-discipline, told through short stories of historical figures who mastered their bodies, minds and…
Dopamine Nation
A psychiatrist explains how constant pleasure leads to pain, and how to find balance in an age of abundance.
Good Habits, Bad Habits
A leading habit researcher shows why willpower fails and how changing your environment makes good habits automatic.
In Defense of Food
'Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.' A journalist's simple guide to eating well.
Peak
Experts are made through a specific kind of practice. The researcher behind deliberate practice explains how it works.
Switch
Direct the rider, motivate the elephant, shape the path: a simple framework for change.
The Daily Stoic
One page of Stoic wisdom for every day of the year.
The Power of Habit
Understand the cue, routine and reward behind every habit, and learn how to rewrite the ones that hold you back.
Tiny Habits
Start so small it feels silly, attach it to something you already do, and celebrate. A kind, research-based way to…
Unwinding Anxiety
A psychiatrist and neuroscientist shows how anxiety works like a habit loop, and how curiosity can break it.
12 Rules for Life
A clinical psychologist offers twelve rules about responsibility, meaning and facing life's difficulties.
Better Than Before
There's no one right way to build a habit. The right strategy depends on who you are.
How Not to Die
A physician argues for a whole-food, plant-based diet to help prevent leading causes of death.
Mini Habits
Make your daily goal so small it feels silly, like one push-up, and watch consistency take care of the rest.
No Excuses!
Self-discipline is the key to success in every area of life, and it can be built one choice at a time.
Outlive
A physician's framework for living longer and better, with a strong focus on exercise and prevention.
Relentless
The trainer of elite athletes describes the relentless mindset behind extraordinary performance.
The Automatic Millionaire
Make saving automatic so you build wealth without relying on willpower.
The Bullet Journal Method
A simple notebook system for planning, reflection and intentional living, from the designer who created it.
The Compound Effect
Small, smart choices made consistently over time create big results. A motivating reminder that there are no shortcuts.
The Greatest Salesman in the World
A short parable about a camel boy who becomes a great salesman by living by ten ancient scrolls.
The Miracle Morning
Win the first hour of the day with six simple practices, and the rest of the day tends to follow.
The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari
A burnt-out lawyer travels to the Himalayas and returns with lessons for a balanced, purposeful life.
The Practicing Mind
Focus on the process, not the outcome, and find calm and discipline in everyday practice.
The Slight Edge
Simple daily actions that are easy to do, and just as easy not to do, decide where your life ends up.
The Willpower Instinct
A Stanford course on the science of self-control, with experiments to try on yourself each week.
Who Will Cry When You Die?
101 short lessons on living with purpose, kindness and simplicity.
Willpower
A psychologist and a science journalist explore self-control: what it is, why it runs low and how to make the most of…
Want a more personal pick?
Tell us a little more about what you're facing and how you like to read.