Book Club | Atomic Habits by James Clear Part I

The Fundamentals

Photo by Lala Azizli on Unsplash

I’m so excited to kick off this book club with you, and even more excited that we’re diving into Atomic Habits by James Clear for our first read.

Now, you might be thinking, “Another book club?”—but here’s how I want to make this one different. Instead of just discussing the ideas in the book, I want us to focus on how we’re actually applying them in real life.

I’ll share my own takeaways and how I’m putting them into action, and I’d love for you to do the same in the group chat, which is open to paid subscribers.

Atomic Habits isn’t just about building better habits—it’s about completely changing how we approach progress and growth. It shows how small, consistent shifts can lead to massive results.

Each week, we’ll break down a section of the book, reflect on the big ideas, and talk about how they relate to our daily lives.

This Week’s Reading: The Introduction & The Fundamentals

Chapters Covered:

• Introduction: My Story

• Chapter 1: The Surprising Power of Atomic Habits

• Chapter 2: How Your Habits Shape Your Identity (and Vice Versa)

• Chapter 3: How to Build Better Habits in 4 Simple Steps

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Small Wins, Big Payoffs

One of the things I love about this book is how it makes big change feel doable. James Clear talks about how, after a serious injury, he started making tiny improvements—small shifts like keeping his room clean.

“These improvements were minor, but they gave me a sense of control over my life. I started to feel confident again. And this growing belief in myself rippled into the classroom as I improved my study habits and managed to earn straight As.”

It’s a reminder that confidence isn’t something you either have or don’t have—it’s something you build. A small step in the right direction can make a much bigger impact than you expect.

For me, I’ve noticed this with getting dressed in the morning. I work from home most days, so it would be easy to stay in my PJs. But when I get dressed, wash my face, and get ready for the day—even if it’s just putting on a fun t-shirt and nicer leggings—I’m suddenly more likely to keep the house clean or put on an extra load of washing. One small shift, multiple ripple effects.

And then there’s this:

“Making a choice that is 1 percent better or 1 percent worse seems insignificant in the moment.”

This hit me. It’s so easy to reach for a piece of chocolate or scroll for an extra 10 minutes. But those tiny everyday choices are the ones that matter most. Every time I stay on the couch, I’m taking time away from writing, working on my business, or spending time with my kids.

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The Frustratingly Slow Part of Progress

“Changes that seem small and unimportant at first will compound into remarkable results if you're willing to stick with them for years.”

This is the part no one wants to hear, right? We all want quick results, but real progress takes time.

I’ve been thinking a lot about this with my business. Growth is slow, and it would be so easy to give up. Building something from scratch means no immediate results—and sometimes no visible progress for a long time. The same goes for exercise. One run or one Pilates class doesn’t make a big difference in how I feel today, but over time, those sessions will shape who I am.

It’s easy to get discouraged when you don’t see instant results, but remembering the plateau of latent potential—that all the unseen effort will eventually pay off—makes it easier to keep going.

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Why Systems Matter More Than Goals

“Goals are good for setting direction, but systems are best for making progress.”