As a business leader, I am constantly on the hunt for inspirational reads, as well as ways to improve efficiency and spark innovation. A few years ago, I came across a book that I knew would be both a professional and personal game changer, with concepts that I have added to my daily routines to set myself—and our company—up for success.

James Clear’s Atomic Habits has emerged as a cornerstone for anyone aiming to improve their life through small, consistent changes. The book’s core message is clear: success is not about grand gestures or once-in-a-lifetime transformations, but the result of tiny, daily habits that compound over time—the aggregation of marginal gains. This book has been named the #1 business book by The New York Times for multiple years, and since first reading this when it came out in 2018, I’ve introduced this book to our entire team, as well as our clients and friends. Since then, I have heard a countless amount of incredible feedback and have witnessed powerful results.

While we highly encourage everyone to read this book cover to cover, here are some of the many impactful insights from Atomic Habits that we actively discuss at Hughes Marino, that can also help you transform your life and business.

1. Habits are the Compound Interest of Self-Improvement

Clear argues that habits function like compound interest in finance. Just as money grows over time through compound interest, habits accumulate and lead to significant changes when practiced consistently. Each small improvement or decline you make compounds over time, meaning the effects of your habits can either work for or against you. This principle illustrates the immense power of small, consistent actions in shaping your future. From creating daily workout routines, to carefully choosing what you eat every day, to setting smaller habitual goals at work—like hitting a certain amount of calls, writing articles or making sales—these consistent habits build a muscle that can set you up for major success over time.

2. Success is the Product of Daily Habits—Not a Once-in-a-Lifetime Transformation

One of the book’s key takeaways is that real success stems from daily habits rather than sporadic bursts of effort. Major transformations, though often celebrated, can be unsustainable. On the other hand, small, consistent habits create a solid foundation that supports long-term growth and success. It is the daily choices that ultimately define your outcomes, not the occasional grand gesture. It’s easy to get instant gratification when everyone sees and celebrates the final outcome of a project at work, or a personal goal you share with friends on Instagram. But true success is marked by the behind-the-scenes work through daily habits, discipline and dedication that bring you to that rewarding end result. Not everyone has the perseverance to stick with small daily habits, but the ones that do are building sustainable habits that improve their lives for the long term.

3. Outcomes are a Lagging Measure of Habits

Your current reality reflects your past habits. Whether it is your financial situation, your health or your knowledge, these outcomes are lagging measures of the habits you have practiced over time. For example, your net worth reflects your financial habits, and your weight often reflects your eating habits. This concept reinforces the idea that you get what you consistently do. If you want to change your outcomes, you need to change your habits first. Plus, by zeroing in on final outcomes you want to achieve, you can more easily strip away the pointless tasks that fill your day that aren’t helping you reach your reward—like scrolling on your phone or rewatching a show in your downtime, when you could be working towards your goal or perfecting your craft.

4. The Valley of Disappointment

Clear describes the early and middle stages of any quest as a “Valley of Disappointment.” During this period, progress feels slow, and it is easy to become frustrated. However, this is a normal part of any compounding process. The most powerful outcomes are often delayed, and patience is required to see them through. Understanding that the journey may include periods of slow progress helps to maintain motivation and persistence. Have you not yet reached your goal, despite working toward it on a daily basis? The difference between great success and failure is pushing through the disappointment to get to your goal. Don’t give up, maybe you aren’t through the valley quite yet!

5. Focus on Systems Rather Than Goals

Goals alone are not enough. While goals provide direction, systems—the processes and habits that support those goals—are what determine success and satisfaction. Without the right systems in place, the most ambitious goals are unlikely to be achieved. By focusing on building strong systems, you create a reliable pathway to reaching your goals. Further, goals can restrict your happiness because it’s easy to put off satisfaction until we’ve hit our milestone. Conversely, when you fall in love with the process rather than the results, you don’t have to wait to give yourself permission to be happy. Rather than thinking, “I’ll be happy when I lose 20 pounds,” think, “I love that I’ve got a routine in place to work towards daily improvement.”

6. Embrace the Boredom

Boredom is one of the greatest obstacles to self-improvement. Clear argues that the only way to become excellent is to embrace repetition and routine that come with building habits. Consider the mastery of Katie Ledecky, the greatest long distance Olympic swimmer ever. Her epic success requires doing the same thing repeatedly—over countless hours and miles in the pool—for decades. By finding fascination in repetition and embracing the boredom of routine, you can achieve excellence in any area of life. It is the consistent, repetitive actions that lead to mastery.

With all these valuable insights, it’s no wonder this has been added to the Hughes Marino reading list! Atomic Habits provides a comprehensive framework for understanding how small, consistent changes can lead to significant transformations. Whether you are striving for better health, greater success or a new skill, these principles can guide you on your journey to lasting change.