Habit Stacking Made Simple

Atomic Habits by James Clear (Part 4 of 4 mini series Chapters 8-13)

✍️ By Debbie Balfour | WBN News | June 22, 2025 | Click HERE for your FREE Subscription to WBN News and/or to be a Contributor.

You don’t need more time—you need better rhythm. In the final chapters of Atomic Habits (Chapters 8–13), James Clear brings everything together with two powerful concepts: habit stacking and environment design. These two ideas are your launchpad to making small habits not just automatic, but inevitable.

Your habits aren’t random—they’re the result of a system. In Chapters 4–7 of Atomic Habits, James Clear unpacks the Four Laws of Behavior Change, a simple but powerful framework that explains why you do what you do—and how to take back control.

Want to hear James Clear explain the power of habit stacking and small changes?
Before diving into this week's insights, take 2 minutes to watch this video that brings his philosophy to life:

🎥 Watch: Atomic Habits – How to Get 1% Better Every Day

You don’t need more time—you need better rhythm. ...

Habit stacking is a method of linking a new habit to an existing one. Instead of starting from scratch, you piggyback onto a rhythm you already trust. Example: “After I pour my coffee, I will review my top 3 business priorities.” This makes the new habit easier to recall and repeat.

Then comes environment design—your invisible habit engine. Clear explains that we tend to overestimate willpower and underestimate our surroundings. By setting up your space for success (and eliminating friction), good behavior becomes automatic.

You want to eat better? Put fruit at eye level. You want to journal every night? Leave your notebook on your pillow. The goal is to make good habits obvious and accessible while making bad habits invisible and inconvenient.

Step-by-Step Habit Instructions:

Choose one current habit.
Write a habit stack statement: “After I [current habit], I will [new habit].”
Design your environment: Add visual cues and remove friction.
Prep your tools: Keep the necessary
Track execution: Mark off success daily and refine as needed.

Thought-Provoking Question:

What’s one habit you could anchor to your existing morning or evening routine that would impact your business most?

Task:

Build one habit stack this week and redesign one space (home, office, digital) to support it. Test it for 7 days and reflect on what changed.

Conclusion:

Small actions don’t just build habits—they build momentum. With habit stacking and intentional design, your environment becomes your ally, and your systems become your silent business partner. This wraps our deep dive into Atomic Habits—but your transformation is just beginning. Keep building. Keep showing up. Keep stacking wins.

Debbie Balfour | Real Estate Investing Success Coach + Podcast Host

Buy Atomic Habits by James Clear on Amazon here.
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