37: Mastering the Art of Habit Formation with James Clear: A Fireside Chat Recap

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• Essay: Mastering the Art of Habit Formation with James Clear: A Fireside Chat Recap
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Mastering the Art of Habit Formation with James Clear: A Fireside Chat Recap

Yesterday was a remarkable day for our With Intention cohort.

We had the honor of welcoming James Clear, the author behind the transformative book Atomic Habits—a guide that has positively impacted millions, including myself.

Back in 2017, I was fortunate to dive into an early copy of his book and offer my thoughts. Since then, I've watched in awe as his simple yet profound teachings on habit formation have reached and reshaped countless lives. If you haven't picked up your copy yet, do yourself a favor and grab it today.

During our fireside chat, James didn’t just go over his writing process and the journey behind Atomic Habits, but he also shared invaluable lessons that are worth passing along.

I vividly remember our lunch back in 2016 when he was battling deadlines and refining his vision for the book. His resilience and commitment to simplicity, sticking to short, impactful chapters instead of the long ones his publisher initially wanted, is a testament to trusting one's instincts.

Here are some golden nuggets from our conversation:

Lesson 1: The Value of Hard Work
"Great work is separated from average work by the willingness to work when it’s hard." This quote from James really struck a chord. He likened challenges in work to lifting weights at the gym—they’re tough, they strain, but ultimately, they strengthen.
My takeaway: Lean into the hard stuff. It's tough, but that's where growth happens.

Lesson 2: Good Enough Really is Good Enough
James shared that perfection isn't always necessary. His relentless pursuit to perfect his book coexisted with recognizing when to move forward with 'good enough.' This balance is crucial in every aspect of life.
Engage with This Idea: Where could accepting 'good enough' help you move forward today? Let's discuss—hit reply!

Lesson 3: The World Is on Your Side
"If you put in the work, don't run from the hard parts," James noted, "the world opens up for you." This resonates deeply as I transition from corporate life to entrepreneurship—support has come from the most unexpected places.
Takeaway: Step out. The world rewards courage.

Lesson 4: Build Momentum Early
James emphasized starting strong, especially with his focus on the initial chapters to hook the reader. The lesson? Front-load your efforts to gain quick wins and build momentum.
Try This: What’s one thing you can front-load today for immediate impact?

Lesson 5: Design Your Environment for Success
James leaves his phone in another room until lunch to boost focus and creativity—a tactic many of us could benefit from.
Challenge: Try leaving your phone in another room for a morning. It's tough but rewarding.

Lesson 6: Aligning Effort with Value
During our discussion, the concept of aligning our efforts with what truly adds value came up—a critical lesson in focusing our energies where they count the most.
Reflect: Are your current efforts aligned with your biggest goals? Maybe it's time for an audit of your calendar?

Lesson 7: Bounce Back from Setbacks
A powerful quote from Miles Davis set the tone here: "It's the next note that defines whether a wrong note is part of the music." If you stumble, the recovery is what matters.
Action Step: Next time you miss a target, how quickly can you refocus and move forward?

Days like yesterday fuel my passion and confirm that the path I’ve chosen, despite any challenges, is worth it.

Connecting with leaders like James not only enriches our cohort's experience but also plants seeds for scaling this project into something even larger.

I’m considering starting a monthly series bringing thought leaders directly to our community.

What do you think? Would this be of interest? I’d love your feedback.

Thank you for joining me on this journey. Let's make every interaction count.

Enjoy your weekend!

Jon

P.S. Big thanks to my guys at The Social + Package, Brayden and Ashton. They are helping me put together some reels for social media. If you haven't seen them, you can check them out here. Would love to hear what you think! 

1% better every day

Until next week,

Jon Giganti Author. Speaker. Leader.

Attention requires a focused head.
Intention requires a focused heart.

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