Your Winter Arc Starts Here: Build Better Habits with Atomic Habits by James Clear

As the new year approaches, I’m taking a moment on this week’s Money Monday to explore a theme that’s been all over the internet lately: the Winter Arc. This trend, which celebrates reflection and intentional transformation, is the perfect opportunity to start preparing for the person you want to become in the new year—without waiting for January to arrive.

To guide us in designing this new era, I’m turning to James Clear s transformative book, Atomic Habits. It’s a bestseller for a reason: this book proves that small, consistent changes can lead to extraordinary outcomes. If you’re thinking about how to make lasting progress in your career, health, or personal life, here are my key takeaways to start your Winter Arc strong.

📚 Key Takeaway #1: Success Comes from Small Changes

Clear’s central idea is that tiny, 1% changes and incremental habits, when practiced consistently, lead to significant progress. These micro-actions, compounded over time, create momentum and drive long-term success.

Key Tip: Start small. Instead of setting overwhelming goals, break them into manageable habits. For example, instead of resolving to “network more,” aim to reach out to one new person a week. This small action, repeated over time, builds a powerful professional network. Identify areas in your career, health, or relationships where you can apply this 1% improvement mindset.

📚 Key Takeaway #2: Systems Over Goals

The book emphasises that focusing on daily systems is more effective than obsessing over end goals. Goals set the direction, but systems create the progress. This aligns perfectly with what we discussed in the 168 Hours article—your time needs structure, not just aspirations.

Key Tip: Think beyond the outcome. Instead of saying, “I want to land a new job,” focus on a system of consistent actions, like spending 15 minutes a day updating your LinkedIn profile or applying for roles. Progress happens in the process. Once you have identified your goals and your 1% habits, schedule them into your week to help you stay on track.

📚 Key Takeaway #3: The Four Laws of Behaviour Change

The book outlines a framework for building good habits and breaking bad ones: make it obvious, attractive, easy, and satisfying. These principles make habit formation more accessible and sustainable.

Key Tip: Apply these laws to your work habits. For example, if you want to spend less time on social media, remove the app from your phone (make it hard). If you want to dedicate more time to professional growth, schedule a recurring calendar block for learning or skill-building (make it obvious and easy). I find planning rewards after doing tasks I don´t like really helps motivate me.

📚 Key Takeaway #4: Habits Shape Your Identity

One of the book’s most impactful lessons is aligning your habits with the kind of person you want to become. It’s not just about what you achieve; it’s about who you become in the process.

Key Tip: Shift your focus from “I want to complete this project” to “I’m the kind of person who consistently delivers high-quality work.” When your habits reflect your desired identity, your goals naturally follow.

📚 Key Takeaway #5: The Power of an Accountability System

Clear highlights the importance of tracking your habits and creating accountability. Monitoring your progress helps you stay consistent and identify areas for improvement.

Key Tip: Use a habit tracker or journaling practice to record daily achievements, no matter how small. Reflect on your progress weekly to stay motivated and celebrate milestones.

📚 Key Takeaway #6: Redefine Success with the Compound Effect

Success isn’t always about the huge milestones—it’s about small wins, compounded over time. Aside from trying to make the 1% progress, make time to reflect on how far you have come and celebrate all your small wins.

Key Tip: Celebrate progress. Reflecting on small achievements keeps you motivated, even when results feel far off. For example, if your goal is to write a book, celebrating the completion of a single page each day reinforces the habit and builds momentum. I now have a daily wins journaling practice that I do which helps remind me that I am not only on track but I also show up for myself everyday.

📚 My Biggest Takeaway

The most valuable lesson from Atomic Habits is the idea that success comes from intentional systems, not willpower or motivation alone. Pairing Clear’s strategies with the time-management tools from 168 Hours has shown me how small, consistent actions create the foundation for achieving my long-term goals.

As we approach the new year, I’m focusing on embodying the identity I want to grow into—whether that’s being more proactive in my career and working on projects that excite me, building a strong foundation for my health or focusing on cultivating meaningful relationships...

What habits are you working on as we move into the new year? How do you align your daily actions with your personal and professional goals? Let’s discuss in the comments—I’d love to hear your insights!