19 Tiny Habits by Nicholas Cole
Summary
Nicholas Cole’s 19 Tiny Habits is a tub-thumper, and unashamedly so. The author, by all accounts, practices what he preaches and wants others to do the same. Success, Cole insists, is the result of thousands of tiny successes, repeated many times a day. It is the small acts of self-discipline, or daily promises kept to oneself and others, that compound and create tangible success.
Many books promise to make you a millionaire or a best-selling novelist, yet their authors are still struggling or unpublished. Cole’s book is different. His advice springs not from theory or second-hand reading but from his achievements. This is why his book stands out.
Key Insights
Success is the accumulation of small, consistent actions and promises kept (to ourselves and others.)
Don’t fantasise about being something, but rather adopt the daily discipline of becoming it.
Measurement matters: track reading, writing, coding, and other key goals.
Surround yourself with people you admire; you become like those you spend the most time with. Hackneyed, maybe, but still worth noting.
Teach to learn. If we can’t explain it, we don’t understand it.
Keep physically fit, eat sensibly, and learn to sleep well.
Give value freely; 90% of the offering should be free.
Start now—tomorrow is too late. Action This Day.
Ask myself, how will I spend the next five minutes of my life?
Strengths
Practical applicability. Cole’s advice can be (and should be) implemented immediately in daily routines.
Accountability focus. Cole’s emphasis on keeping promises to oneself is the cornerstone of integrity and success.
Broad scope. Covers personal discipline, professional growth, health, creativity, and relationships without losing the central thread.
Author’s example — Cole’s long-term Quora writing project adds credibility and illustrates the principles in action. No one can accuse Cole of not knowing what he’s writing about.
Action-driven mindset. Prefer concrete measurements, tracking, and deliberate practice over wistful aspirations.
Weaknesses
Repetition. Some points are reiterated in slightly different forms, but so what? Most of us need to be told something several times before it sinks in.
Generalised advice. Possibly this lacks depth in certain areas; more case studies or step-by-step frameworks might strengthen it.
Self-help clichés. A few principles (e.g., “you are like the five people you spend most time with”) are widely known, but still, Cole caters for all his readers.
Reflections
Cole’s emphasis is on self-discipline and attention to detail, on doing rather than saying. Many of his principles are familiar, but he brings them to life through his own experiences as a Warcraft gamer, bodybuilder, and writer. This real-world context adds much of the book’s value. At its core is the idea of keeping daily promises to oneself. Cole presents self-discipline not as a chore but as an act of self-respect, a point worth remembering.
Conclusion
19 Tiny Habits champions the virtues of daily discipline. The principles are not new, but Cole illustrates them convincingly within the context of his successes and failures in life. The result is an inspiring book.
Book Details
Title: 19 Tiny Habits That Lead To Huge Results
Author: Nicholas Cole
Publication Year: 2020
Genre: Genre
Reference: Thinking