The 3rd Law of Atomic Habits: Make It Easy — Law of Least Effort, Two-Minute Rule & Automation

Why do we struggle to stick with good habits? The 3rd Law: Make It Easy from Atomic Habits by James Clear shows that success isn’t about motivation or willpower—it’s about removing barriers and making the right choice the simplest one. By using strategies like the Law of Least Effort and the Two-Minute Rule, you can automate success and make progress inevitable.

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The 3rd Law of Behavior Change: Make It Easy

Habits form through repetition, not the amount of time spent. The easier a behavior is, the more likely you are to repeat it consistently. Make the process simple and frictionless to increase your chances of success.

The Law of Least Effort

People naturally gravitate toward the path of least resistance. Design your environment so that good habits are convenient and bad habits require more effort. For example, keep a book on your pillow to encourage reading or prep healthy snacks in advance for easier healthy eating.

Focusing on Action Over Planning

Don’t get stuck in “motion” (planning and preparing) instead of “action” (actually doing the habit). Progress comes from taking action, not just thinking about it. For example, reading about exercise isn’t the same as doing a workout.

Reducing Friction & Priming Your Environment

Lower the number of steps needed to start a good habit. Organize your space to make good behaviors obvious and easy—lay out your clothes for a morning workout or set up your workspace for productivity.

The Two-Minute Rule: Start Small, Build Momentum

Make the first step of any habit take less than two minutes. For example, instead of “study for an hour,” begin with “open my notebook.” Small actions lower resistance and help you build momentum quickly.

Automating Habits & Making Bad Habits Difficult

Use technology and one-time decisions to lock in good behaviors—like setting up automatic savings or scheduling reminders. To break bad habits, add friction: log out of apps, move tempting foods, or make distractions less accessible.

Key Terms Defined

• Automaticity: When a behavior becomes automatic through repetition.
• Commitment Device: A present choice that locks in future behavior.
• Decisive Moments: Small choices that shape the direction of your day.
• Law of Least Effort: The principle that people choose the easiest available option.
• Two-Minute Rule: Make the start of new habits as easy as possible by shrinking them to a two-minute action.

Conclusion: Just Get Started

The 3rd Law of Atomic Habits is about lowering the barrier to action. Progress isn’t about being perfect—it’s about making it as easy as possible to start. Repetition, not willpower, creates lasting change.

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