Money & Mindset - Book of the Month September 2025

I’m a big believer that the best investors are lifelong learners. Each month, I’ll share a book that’s made me stop and think, whether it’s a new strategy, a fresh perspective, or just a better way to look at money and investing.

My goal? To help you learn from the wins (and mistakes) of others so you can invest smarter, with more confidence. Think of this as your shortcut to sharper thinking and better decision-making, one book at a time.

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Atomic Habits: How Tiny Changes Lead to Remarkable Results

When it comes to transformation people often expect big, dramatic changes overnight. But in Atomic Habits, James Clear argues that real progress comes from small, consistent adjustments. The book shows not only how but why minor tweaks, when repeated over time, bring about lasting growth in habits, performance, and identity.

Atomic Habits by James Clear

What’s the book about?

Atomic Habits blends neuroscience, behavioural psychology and real-world stories to offer a data based framework that’s both simple and powerful. Clear’s strategies aren’t about overhauling your life overnight, they’re about designing systems that make good habits inevitable and bad habits difficult. The book lays out actionable changes mixed with interesting and relevant anecdotes that make this book an inspiring and motivational read.

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Key Lessons from Atomic Habits

1. The Power of Tiny Gains

The theory of making small adjustments, even if you’re only improving outcomes by just 1% each day, which then compounds into huge gains over time. Clear emphasises that mastery is a marathon not a sprint.

2. Identity-Based Habits

Real change starts with asking, “Who do I want to become?” Instead of setting outcome goals (“I want to run a marathon”), you shift identity with statements like, “I am a runner.” Your habits then become expressions of that identity.

3. The Four Laws of Behaviour Change

Clear’s framework for building habits (and breaking bad ones) consists of four laws:

• Make it Obvious - Use cues and environment design to trigger good habits.

• Make it Attractive - Associate habits with positive incentives or bundle them with things you enjoy.

• Make it Easy - Reduce friction, break habits into small steps and focus on showing up.

• Make it Satisfying - Give yourself immediate reinforcement so the habit feels rewarding.

  
  

4. Systems Over Goals

Goals are good for setting direction but systems are what get you there. The book encourages you to fall in love with the process not just the destination.

5. How to Break Bad Habits

You invert the Four Laws to eliminate poor habits: make them invisible, unattractive, difficult, and unsatisfying. This way the bad behaviour loses power over you.

How to Apply It

• Start with identity: Write a brief statement like, “I am someone who reads regularly,” and let habits support that.

• Optimize your environment: Place cues where you’ll see them (e.g. keeping your guitar out if you want to practice more).

• Scale down: If reading 30 pages seems hard, start with one page per day.

• Track your habits: Use a journal or an app to mark daily consistency.

• Reward yourself: Add small celebrations eg. stickers, self-affirmation, or short treats to make habits satisfying.

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Final Thoughts

Atomic Habits isn’t about radical transformation, it’s about mastering the aggregation of marginal gains. The book gives you a practical roadmap for rewriting your habits in a sustainable way. When you shift focus from goals to identity and systems, the results follow naturally.

Whether you’re a first-time investor or a seasoned professional, James Clear’s Atomic Habits outlines achievable steps you can take to help you work towards the mindset essential for success.

Have you read this one already? Tell me what you think!