Atomic Habits is NOT a Book of Good Strategies…
And Here’s Why
Alright, let’s clear something up right from the start—Atomic Habits by James Clear is NOT just a book full of good strategies. Wait, what? Yep, you read that right. You see, it’s easy to get caught up in the how-to advice that’s packed in this book. After all, it’s got a lot of practical tips, but the real power of Atomic Habits isn’t in the strategies—it’s in the mindset that underpins them.
I’ll tell you why: I actually read this book in two days, cover to cover. The reason I devoured it so quickly wasn’t just because of the "actionable" advice, but because of the stories and the larger mindset shared at the beginning of each chapter. That’s where the real magic is. The power isn’t in a quick fix—it’s in the commitment to a continual process of growth. It’s about being intentional with your choices every day. It’s about understanding the detriment of drifting, as Napoleon Hill would call it. It’s about avoiding the drift and choosing to show up every day with purpose.
This leads us to what Atomic Habits is really about—the Kaizen principle—steadily improving, even with small actions, no matter how seemingly insignificant. And let me tell you: few people I know genuinely embody this mindset. There are very few who wake up each day, excited to get better, and who actively challenge themselves—even for the “boring” stuff, like the grind of a job that feels uninspiring. They don’t ask, “How can I get through today?” but instead ask, “Why be sad when I can be present and purposeful?”
I’m not here to diminish anyone’s struggles or situations, but let’s get real: ownership is the one thing we can always control. As Viktor Frankl said, “Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response.” This is the kind of mindset that Clear is really talking about.
Now, a lot of people misunderstand this process. They think that in order to make a meaningful change, they need to completely overhaul their lives—to start living some extreme lifestyle where they suffer and give up everything they enjoy. But that’s far from the truth. True change is about tapping into more of what you love, letting go of the societal pressures and mental baggage that hold you back. It’s about finding a deep joy in yourself that fuels the way you show up each day. And it doesn’t take a complete reinvention of your life.
Here’s the Science: Neuroplasticity & Habit Formation
You’ve probably heard of neuroplasticity—it’s your brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections. The beauty of it is that small, intentional habits can literally rewire your brain over time. What you practice, you become. Your brain is ready for change, as long as you give it the right signals—just like lifting weights. The more you train, the stronger you get. Small habits, compounded over time, will change your brain’s wiring, and before you know it, you’ve built a foundation for consistent growth.
A Personal Story:
I remember when I first decided to get serious about breaking through my own barriers. For years, I had big goals, but I wasn’t taking intentional action. I’d go through the motions, but there was always that feeling of being stuck—like I was walking in circles without moving forward.
It wasn’t until I made the decision to focus on intentional growth that things started to click. I committed to building a curriculum for myself. Each day, I focused on developing skills—like copywriting, sales, and business strategy—things that weren’t sexy, but that I knew would help me break free from the cycle I was in.
The first few months? It was hard. I struggled. But as I kept going, I saw results. And eventually, I realized that the biggest breakthrough didn’t come from changing my entire life overnight. It came from small, intentional steps. By committing to steadily improving—day in and day out—I started to see the kind of transformation I had always wanted.
So here’s the bottom line: Own your journey. Make a plan. Take small steps every day. And know that real change doesn’t come from overhauling your life—it comes from committing to growth every day, even if it’s just one small action at a time.
Here’s to Evolving Your Potential
And doing it with intention and purpose.
Let’s keep growing,
Todd