Atomic Habits:
An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones
- A Must-Read for Entrepreneurs
Breaking bad habits is tough, and creating new good habits is a challenge. But it is essential for your success as an entrepreneur. But “Atomic Habits” by James Clear comes to the rescue with a powerful framework and practical strategies to help. While I recommend reading through the book yourself, here are my three takeaways with some tips.
Takeaway 1: The Power of Small Habits and Incremental Progress
James Clear emphasises that significant change often results from the compounding effect of small, consistent changes. Many entrepreneurs face many large challenges and can easily feel overwhelmed when starting and growing their businesses. Using the power of small habits, instead of setting lofty goals that might seem unobtainable and intimidating, focus on identifying tiny actions that can be consistently implemented and compounded over time. For instance, dedicate 15 minutes daily to engage with potential clients on social media or spend 10 minutes learning a new skill. Embracing these small habits gradually builds momentum and leads to meaningful progress. This is especially key with pivotal or ‘keystone’ habits.
Tip 1: Start by building a small Keystone Habit
Keystone habits are those small habits that have a positive effect across a wide area and drive further key habits. They act as the foundation for developing other positive behaviours. Experiment with small positive changes and identify one keystone habit that aligns with your business goals. It could be establishing a morning routine that includes meditation, exercise, or setting daily priorities. Commit to this habit consistently, as it creates a positive ripple effect, influencing other areas of your business and personal life.
Takeaway 2: Making Habits Obvious, Attractive, Easy, and Satisfying
Clear introduces four laws of behaviour change: make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, and make it satisfying. By applying these laws to creating positive change, you create a pull to foster good habits, rather than pushing against negative ones.
Tip 2: Optimise Your Environment
Rather than battling against your environment, change and optimise it to support your desired habits. For instance, if you want to spend more time on business development, set up a dedicated workspace that encourages this and removes distractions. Reduce friction and potential barriers and make your workspace visually appealing, inspiring creativity and focus. By shaping your environment to work with you, you increase the likelihood of forming positive habits.
Tip 3: Implement Habit Stacking
Habit stacking is a technique to link a new habit to an existing one. For instance, if you regularly commute to work, stack that habit with another positive one, and start to listen to educational podcasts or books while on the commute. By associating the new habit with an existing routine, you leverage the power of context and make the habit more likely to stick.
Takeaway 3: The Importance of Continuous Improvement and Tracking Progress
Clear emphasises the significance of small but continuous improvement in habit formation. Building a business is an ongoing process of refinement and growth, and as in takeaway 1, small continuous improvement compounds. Clear also indicates that tracking your progress helps you stay motivated and provides a sense of accomplishment.
Tip 4: Embrace the 1% Rule
Focus on improving your habits by just 1% each day. What tiny change can you make today to cement or improve your existing good habits? While it may seem insignificant, these incremental improvements compound over time and lead to substantial progress in the long term. Remember, overnight success takes many small and consistent, incremental steps forward.
Tip 5: Use Habit Trackers and Measurement
Employ habit-tracking tools like habit journals, like a bullet journal, or habit-tracking apps. Set specific goals and track your daily habits, marking each successful completion. By visually seeing your progress, you gain a sense of achievement and are motivated to continue building positive habits.
“Atomic Habits” by James Clear offers invaluable insights and actionable strategies to change and transform our lives. By focusing on small habits, optimising your environment, and embracing small and continuous improvement, you can transform your daily routines to help you build a successful business.
In the spirit of small changes, implement one tip from the list above and start making those small continuous improvements that transform your live and business in the long term. Â
And remember, building good habits and breaking bad ones is a lifelong journey, and “Atomic Habits” is an indispensable guide on your path to personal AND business success.
If you’d support raising your game and building positive habits, for the next year, the next season, book a call to find out how we can help.
