Goals Are at Odds With Long Term Progress

James Clear: Atomic Habits

James Clear is an author and speaker focused on habits, decision-making, and continuous improvement. He is a regular speaker at Fortune 500 companies and his work is used by teams in the NFL, NBA, and MLB. He’s the author of the new book, Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones*.

Key Points

• Goals are great for deciding what direction you want to head, but to actually get there it’s all about your systems.
• Results aren’t what needs to change; the processes and habits are what need to change.
• Start with the identity you want for yourself and build your habits to reinforce that identity.
• Your habits are what prove your identity to yourself.
• Habits are like compound interest for self-improvement.

Bonus Audio

• How habits reinforce your identity

Resources Mentioned

• Atomic Habits* by James Clear
• James Clear on Annual Reviews

Related Episodes

• Getting Things Done with David Allen (episode 184)
• Create Behavior That Lasts With Marshall Goldsmith (episode 196)
• The Best Way to Make New Habits Reality (episode 217)

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