Habits matter because they can change beliefs about identity over time. They shape long-term outcomes and can be more impactful than one-time events. Systematic habits are more influential than specific goals in determining results. Results are a lagging measure of the habits that precede them. Luck and randomness are out of our control, but habits are within our control. Focusing on building a system of habits is more effective than solely pursuing goals. The media tends to emphasize outcomes rather than the process, leading to an overvaluation of results. By adjusting our habits and running a better system, we can naturally reach a different destination.
James Clear has been writing about habits, decision making, and continuous improvement for over a decade. Author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Atomic Habits, he joins to talk about his career and how we can stop sabotaging our efforts with insurmountable goals.