HABITS
Make Habits Obvious: How to Reinforce the Right Behaviors
May 22, 2025
~ 3 Mins
Clear’s third law of habit formation in Atomic Habits is “Make it obvious.” As a coach, this is a powerful principle you can apply in training and team dynamics. When a behavior is easy to see and recognize, it’s far easier to develop and reinforce.
For example, if you want your athletes to practice more frequently on their own, make it obvious that doing so is expected and rewarded. Put up charts or systems that track their progress and achievements—whether it's a sticker chart for completing additional workouts or a scoreboard for the most consistent practices. When athletes see this recognition, they’re more likely to adopt the behavior.
Additionally, making behaviors obvious helps with consistency. If an athlete struggles to remember their nutrition goals or isn’t sure when to fit in their recovery routine, set visible reminders. For example, post a schedule or checklist in their locker or around the gym. The more they see these reminders, the more likely they are to incorporate the behaviors into their routine.
How You Can Teach This to Your Athletes:
Create a habit tracker for your athletes to keep track of their behaviors. It could be something as simple as a checklist for stretching, drinking water, or eating a balanced meal before practice. This way, the habit becomes obvious and clear. Over time, athletes will internalize these behaviors as part of their regular routine.