James Clear (Best-Selling Author of Atomic Habits) on Diary of a CEO
Back for another week. I hope you’re staying on top of the Christmas crush and looking forward to a well-earned break.
From time to time, some of my writing will simply be a recommendation for content I’ve come across recently that really floated my boat.
Last night, I had plenty of time in the car driving home from Christmas celebrations with my in-laws, so I dove into one of my favourite podcasts, DOAC The Diary of a CEO.
Steven Bartlett is an exceptional interviewer and consistently attracts terrific guests. Like many leading podcasts, they’ve also added a YouTube channel for those who prefer to watch rather than listen.
This week’s guest was James Clear, author of the global bestseller Atomic Habits. The book has sold more than 25 million copies worldwide and has become one of the most influential works on behaviour change, performance, and personal development.
Full transparency: I didn’t finish the book; didn’t form the habit… but I thought I’d give it a go in podcast format. The discussion immediately captured my attention and turned out to be a very timely listen, coming straight off the back of last week’s newsletter blog post on purpose, goal setting, and long-term thinking.
Here are the links if you’d like to dive in:
Goals Set the Direction, Systems Drive the Outcome
One of the things I really appreciated in this conversation was James’s continued emphasis on systems over goals.
That idea aligns beautifully with the Goal Success Ladder we explored recently. Goals are important they give us direction but systems are what actually make goals a reality.
James talks about how:
- Goals are the destination
- Systems are the daily behaviours that get you there
This mirrors what we see with clients all the time. Writing goals down, which we know dramatically increases the likelihood of success is essential, but it’s the repeatable habits, rhythms, and disciplines that determine whether those goals remain ideas or become reality.
In many ways, systems are what sit underneath the top rung of the ladder: Accountability and Tracking. Without them, even the best goals struggle to gain traction.
Long-Term Thinking, Short-Term Execution
Another strong parallel was the reinforcement of long-term thinking; the same idea captured in the Bill Gates quote we shared:
“Most people overestimate what they can do in one year and underestimate what they can do in ten.”
James and Steven both return to the importance of patience, consistency, and identity-based change. You don’t rise to the level of your goals; you fall to the level of your systems.
That perspective fits perfectly with:
- Common goals set five to ten years out
- Breaking them down into manageable steps
- Focusing on what you do daily and weekly, not just annually
Celebrating the Wins
One moment I particularly loved was Steven’s commentary on celebrating the wins, something we value dearly at EBS.
Progress doesn’t always come from massive breakthroughs. More often, it comes from recognising:
- Small improvements
- Consistency over time
- Behaviours repeated well
Celebrating wins reinforces momentum. It builds belief. It keeps people engaged in the process, whether that’s within a leadership team, a family, or your own personal goals across the Five Fs.
This is exactly why we place so much emphasis on recognising effort, progress, and growth, not just outcomes.
Why This Episode Is Worth Your Time
- Practical advice and research to help you achieve your goals
- Insights into refining your personal or business systems
- Guidance on turning intention into execution
- A focus on building sustainable momentum, not just short-term results
It complements the work you’ve already started and reinforces a simple truth we see time and time again: clear goals give you direction, strong systems give you results, and celebrating progress motivates you to achieve more.
If you give it a listen, I’d love to hear what resonated with you most.
Hope you find it helpful.
Cheers,
Darren Gloster
CEO – Australia & New Zealand
Entrepreneurial Business School
