Happy Habits book cover
How to improve your habits, finally

Build habits that stick. Without the pressure.

Feel better, focus better and live better – without perfection, burnout or starting from zero. Happy Habits helps you reset by doing what truly matters, one small habit at a time.

Buy the book + extras PDF + EPUB · instant access

Prefer print? Signed paperback Sydney pickup · within Australia · worldwide
Also available on Amazon.

Connect & Act Media, 2025. Paperback ISBN 978-1-7638207-4-6, eBook ISBN 978-1-7638207-5-3, Audiobook ISBN 978-1-7638207-6-0

Book Overview

A calmer way to build lasting habits

Before writing Happy Habits, I was doing what many people do when they want to change something: trying harder, reading more, setting rules. From the outside it looked like discipline. On the inside it felt exhausting.

Through observation, reflection and lived experience – layoffs and losses, not hacks or hype – a different approach emerged. One that works with real life instead of against it, asks for progress over perfection, and lets you return gently when things get messy.

It draws on modern behavioural science and runs through four simple moves. No overhauling your whole life, no relying on motivation, no starting over every time.

Happy Habits paperback with a coffee
Book Framework

The Habit Compass™

Pause. Plan. Practice. Partner – four compass points, one clear direction for habits that last.

The Habit Compass™ — Pause, Plan, Practice, Partner
01

Pause

Create space before forcing change.

02

Plan

Choose a direction without pressure.

03

Practice

Work with small, repeatable actions.

04

Partner

Use support instead of going it alone.

The approach

A human-first approach to habits. Built to be survivable on low-energy days, interruptions and imperfect routines included.

Inspired by J.R. Heimbigner’s mini books Focus and Discipline
J.R. Heimbigner
Reader reviews

What readers are saying

“This book doesn’t overwhelm, it anchors. Each chapter meets you with honesty and practical, grounding steps.”

Cybill Getgood · Co-Founder, Adelaide

“It helped me change habits without pressure. The 4P framework gave me practical next steps I could apply immediately.”

Harley Hochstetler · Executive Director, Sydney

“Gunnar’s words feel like a deep breath. The habits aren’t rigid; they’re thoughtful, flexible and surprisingly doable.”

Dimka Dimitrova · Marketing Automation Consultant, London

“A rare balance of science, awareness and action. Sustainable strategies for anyone ready for lasting change.”

Dr. Mehmet Yildiz · Cognitive Scientist & Author, Melbourne
Everything you get

The book, plus four ways to go deeper

The book

Your copy of Happy Habits

A practical 128-page guide to feel better, focus better and live better. Delivered as PDF and EPUB.

Bonus

Why I Wrote Happy Habits

A personal reflection on why the book exists, and the patterns behind it.

Bonus

Expert Voices

Three voices from the book, captured at the virtual launch: Natalie Tran, Rachel WingMan and Frederik Böhnke.

Bonus

Habit Reflection Assistant

A custom AI companion to help you reflect on what you notice as you read or listen.

All of it for $7.Instant access · 30-day refund, no questions asked.
Get the book + extras – $7

Already bought the paperback or ebook on Amazon or other book stores? You can still claim the digital extras. Email a copy of your receipt and I’ll send through the bonus reflections, Expert Voices and the Habit Reflection Assistant.

Email your proof of purchase
Habit Reflection Assistant
Your AI companion

Meet the Habit Reflection Assistant

A custom AI companion that helps you reflect on what you notice as you read or listen, turning each chapter into a small, personal check-in. Built by Gunnar, and included with the book.

Happy Habits audiobook cover
Audiobook · Available now

Prefer to listen?

There’s an audiobook edition of Happy Habits, available now through the book funnel. Coming to Audible in the future.

In the funnel today · on Audible to follow
Listen to Happy Habits
The launch

Launched live, around the world

Happy Habits debuted in a global Zoom celebration, with readers and guest voices joining across the time zones – from Sydney and Melbourne to London and Dublin.

Happy Habits virtual launch announcement
The Happy Habits Series

Four books, one framework

Happy Habits is growing into a series of practical companions, each one building on the same framework. The first book is available now; the workbook, formula and journal are on their way.

Happy Habits cover
Available now
The original book · PDF + EPUB + extras
The Happy Habits Workbook cover
Coming soon
Turn the ideas into daily practice
The 4-2-1 Habit Formula cover
Coming soon
One week at a time
The Happy Habits Journal cover
Coming soon
Your reflection companion
Online Course

Take the ideas from the page to your day

The book gives you the framework. The course helps you live it – one small win at a time, with structured lessons you can work through at your own pace.

Online course

Happy Habits in action

A proven system for habits that last – one small win at a time. Apply the Habit Compass™ in your own life with structured lessons and the Habit Reflection Assistant built in.

Explore the course →
Happy Habits in action course box
Gunnar Habitz, author of Happy Habits
Quick introduction

Gunnar Habitz

I didn’t write Happy Habits to help people do more. I wrote it to help people feel less pressure while creating change that actually lasts.

Over the years I’ve written more than thirty books, worked across corporate and creative worlds, and lived through life transitions that forced me to rethink how habits really work – in real life, not in ideal conditions. This is the framework I wish I’d had earlier: gentle, practical, and designed for humans.

I moved to Australia in 2016 after a layoff ended a corporate career in Switzerland that had taken me from consulting through product marketing and business development into sales management across 29 countries. A born introvert, it took me a while to even consider becoming visible. Four countries later, I found LinkedIn to be the best way to build a personal brand and meaningful connections. Today I manage agency partnerships across Asia Pacific at ActiveCampaign, hold the Chartered Manager designation from the Institute of Managers and Leaders, and serve as a Board Director at Sydney’s historic Castlereagh Boutique Hotel – because social media should have a seat at the board table.

PS: Habitz really is my last name, written with a “z”. It’s not a pen name.

Check my website

Newsletter

Happy Habits

Weekly notes on building habits that actually stick – without pressure, perfection, or burnout. Free on Substack.

Read on Substack

Happy Habits on Substack

Ready to feel the difference?

Small changes, real momentum, and no hype. Start Happy Habits in the next few minutes.