Before the pandemic, my life was on repeat. Wake up late, rush to work, come home tired, scroll through my phone, sleep — and do it all again the next day. No excitement. No peace. Just a routine that felt endless.
But when the pandemic hit, everything stopped. The world slowed down — and for the first time in years, I had time to sit, think, and breathe.
At first, it was uncomfortable. I didn’t know what to do with so much free time. Then one day, I decided to pick up a book.
That one decision changed everything.
During that quiet time, I read three books that completely reshaped my life and thinking:
Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
Atomic Habits by James Clear
The 5 AM Club by Robin Sharma
Each of these books taught me something unique — how to think, how to act, and how to live with discipline and peace.
Today, I want to share my personal journey with these books and how they changed my mindset, my habits, and my happiness.
1. Before the Change — Stuck in Routine
Before 2020, I was just living day to day. I worked hard but didn’t feel any real progress. My mornings were rushed, my nights were restless.
I thought that’s just how adult life was supposed to be — busy, stressful, and endless.
Then lockdown began. Suddenly, there was no office, no rush. Just time — time I didn’t know how to use.
The silence was heavy at first. But slowly, it became my space to discover new things.
That’s when I found the world of self-improvement books.
I started with Atomic Habits, then Think and Grow Rich, and finally The 5 AM Club.
And truly, those three books changed my life from inside out.
2. Comparing the Three Books: Think and Grow Rich vs Atomic Habits vs The 5 AM Club
Each of these books changed me in a different way. Here’s how I see them now:
| Book | What It Taught Me | Change I Felt |
| Think and Grow Rich | Positive mindset & belief | I stopped doubting myself |
| Atomic Habits | Daily action & discipline | I built better routines |
| The 5 AM Club | Time management & peace | I found clarity and calm |
They work like a chain — Think and Grow Rich sets your mindset, Atomic Habits builds your actions, and The 5 AM Club gives you the discipline to stay consistent
3. Think and Grow Rich — The Book That Opened My Mind
When I first read Think and Grow Rich, I thought it was only about money. But soon, I realized it was much deeper.
Napoleon Hill teaches that success begins in the mind. Every great achievement starts as a thought, a burning desire, and a strong belief.
There’s one line that stuck with me:
“Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.”
I repeated that sentence every day. It gave me hope at a time when everything felt uncertain.
This book helped me understand that our thoughts shape our reality.
Before, I used to think “I can’t.”
After reading this book, I started thinking “Why not me?”
That small mental shift made a big difference. I became more confident. I started taking my dreams seriously — not as fantasy, but as goals.
Key Lesson:
To change your life, you must first change your thoughts.
4. Atomic Habits — The Book That Changed My Actions
After Think and Grow Rich changed how I think, Atomic Habits taught me how to take action.
James Clear explains that success is not about big leaps — it’s about small, consistent steps that build over time.
He calls them atomic habits — tiny routines that seem small but create massive results when repeated daily.
This book taught me:
- Don’t focus on goals, focus on systems.
- Success is built by what you do every single day.
- Habits compound — both good and bad.
So, I started small:
- Drinking a glass of water as soon as I woke up.
- Reading 10 pages a day.
- Going for a short walk after dinner.
At first, it didn’t seem like much. But after a few weeks, I noticed changes — I had more energy, less stress, and better focus.
Then one day, I realized something powerful:
I wasn’t waiting for motivation anymore. My habits carried me forward even on bad days.
Key Lesson: Think and Grow Rich vs Atomic Habits vs The 5 AM Club
Small steps taken daily are stronger than big plans done rarely.
5. The 5 AM Club — The Book That Gave Me Peace and Discipline
By the time I read The 5 AM Club, my mindset and habits had already started improving.
But I still struggled with time. My mornings felt messy, and I often started the day stressed.
Robin Sharma’s The 5 AM Club changed that. He talks about waking up early — not just to work, but to connect with yourself.
He introduced the 20/20/20 formula:
- 20 minutes of movement (exercise or yoga)
- 20 minutes of reflection (journaling or meditation)
- 20 minutes of growth (learning or reading)
The first few days were tough. Waking up early felt impossible. But slowly, I fell in love with those quiet hours.
There’s something special about mornings — no noise, no rush, just you and your thoughts.
Now, my mornings are my favorite part of the day. I read, write my goals, and prepare my mind for work.
It made me calmer, more focused, and more thankful.
Key Lesson:
Own your mornings, and you’ll own your life.
6. My Personal Transformation: Think and Grow Rich vs Atomic Habits vs The 5 AM Club
Here’s what changed for me:
- I wake up early with purpose.
- I plan my days with calm, not chaos.
- I feel more in control of my emotions.
- My work performance improved because my mind is clear.
Even my coworkers noticed the difference. One of them said,
“You seem more peaceful these days.”
And I smiled — because I truly was.
I realized that success isn’t just about money or promotions — it’s about balance, growth, and inner peace.
And these books gave me exactly that.
7. Emotional Lessons That Stayed With Me
These books didn’t just teach me how to work better — they taught me how to live better.
Here are the emotional lessons that touched me the most:
- Gratitude brings peace.
When you focus on what you have, not what you lack, life feels lighter. - Change begins quietly.
You won’t notice progress every day, but one day you’ll look back and see how far you’ve come. - You can always restart.
No matter how long you’ve been stuck, one book, one page, or one decision can restart your story.
These lessons became my foundation for happiness. Even when life gets busy again, I never forget to slow down and take time for myself.
8. Which Book Should You Read First?
If you feel lost or unsure where to start:
- Begin with Think and Grow Rich to rebuild your mindset.
If you feel lazy or stuck: - Read Atomic Habits to start small, actionable changes.
If you feel stressed or unfocused: - Try The 5 AM Club to find balance and peace.
Each book is powerful alone, but together, they create a full roadmap to a better life.
9. Going Back to Work — A New Me
When lockdown ended and I returned to work, I wasn’t the same person anymore.
I didn’t rush through my mornings. I didn’t complain about small things.
I managed my time better, stayed calm during pressure, and worked with a clear head.
Those books didn’t change my job — they changed me.
They gave me something that no course or training ever could —
a strong mind, focused habits, and peaceful mornings.
Now, I wake up before sunrise, exercise, read a few pages, and walk into work with gratitude instead of stress.
And honestly, that’s the best success I could have asked for.
10. Conclusion: Start Your Change Today
Reading Think and Grow Rich, Atomic Habits, and The 5 AM Club changed my life when I needed it most.
They gave me strength, discipline, and clarity when the world felt uncertain.
If you’re feeling stuck in your own routine, remember this —
you don’t need a big event to start changing your life.
All it takes is one small step — maybe even picking up a single book.
Because sometimes, the right words at the right time can open your eyes to a new path.
“Your life doesn’t change when you finish a book. It changes when you start living what you learned.”
So, start today. Read a few pages. Reflect. Take one small action.
That’s how your story of change begins
