I have always been an extremely organized person. I’ve always used an agenda religiously and required a clean work space to be productive. Little did I know that the book “Atomic Habits” by James Clear and Notion, an online organization aide, would bring my organizational skills to the next level.
I have never been a morning person, but now I am and it all happened during last semester. I had early classes each day of the week and by the time finals rolled around I found myself enjoying waking up early. Over winter break I read the book “Atomic Habits” by James Clear. Not only did it help me develop my own personal morning regimen, but it also made it my favorite part of my day.
I found myself waking up early, but not knowing what to do with myself. I would aimlessly start doing schoolwork, go to the gym, or lay in bed scrolling through Tik Tok. One day while swiping through Instagram, I came across the book “Atomic Habits” and instantly ordered it. In the book, Clear takes readers through the steps of how to create good habits and break the bad ones in a clear, simple way.
I wanted a few simple routines that I could count on in the morning that would be a positive start to my day. I bought a journal and started to write things down. Before I knew it, I had written achievable goals, created a reading list, and even started to journal each morning. I added in reading for ten minutes in the morning before journaling. Journaling was like a reward for reading. After establishing reading as part of my routine, it just became something I now enjoy. I went about making my bed the same way. Without even knowing it I created a morning routine and a way to forget about my phone. Wake up, make my bed, read, journal. I learned how to implement all of these habits in an effective way thanks to “Atomic Habits”.
Of course, there are days where my mornings look a little rough, but I can keep myself accountable using Notion. I came across Notion on Tik Tok and decided to give it a try. Notion is a website that has tons of templates for whatever you need, whether it be for business, school, or fun. I created a homepage with access to a calendar, my courses, my workout schedule, my habit tracker, my to-do list, and fun widgets like countdowns and pictures. I have designed a unique Notion just for me. It is a fun and satisfying way to keep myself accountable for what I want to get done today, tomorrow, and in the future.
Thanks to “Atomic Habits” and Notion, I have created a reliable morning routine and a way to keep myself on track. It didn’t happen overnight, and I have moments of getting off track, but these two resources have made me more organized and responsible. I recommend “Atomic Habits” and Notion to anyone, no matter your goals or ambitions. Maybe they will add value to your life and help you keep yourself accountable, as they did for me.
**Edited by: Rylie Blanchfield