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Today’s edition is sponsored by Shortform, an easy way to dive into all those books you’ve been meaning to read. I’ll share more details on how to get a free trial at the end of the newsletter.

This week, while speaking at an event in Palm Springs, I did something I never would have imagined doing a year ago.

During my presentation I shared a photo of myself shirtless to highlight what’s possible through intentionality and consistent daily progress.

Was it comfortable? Not exactly.

But my keynote topic was Savage Storytelling, so this wasn’t the time to be shy and it certainly grabbed the audience’s attention. 

And if you want to be able to share your story of transformation, it starts with developing the daily habits that will make it happen. 

So, that’s what we’ll cover in this edition. 

Today, at a glance:

• Learn how focusing on systems instead of goals leads to long-term success.
• Understand the Four Laws of Behavior Change and how to make habits obvious, attractive, easy, and satisfying.
• Discover the power of tiny gains and how consistent, small improvements can compound into significant results over time.

Read time: 5 minutes 

Focus on Systems, Not Goals

My goal was to get in the best shape of my life before I turned 45. 

However, I had been wanting to shed quite a few pounds for the past several years, so clearly having a goal wasn’t enough to make it happen. 

Here’s why: Goals set the direction, but systems drive long-term success.

Or, as James says in his book Atomic Habits “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.”

So instead of focusing solely on the end result (like losing 20 pounds), build daily habits that make reaching that goal inevitable.

My system included: exercising five times a week, drinking a gallon of water daily, and eating 150 grams of protein per day.

Oh, and I quit eating ice cream every night. 

Within a few weeks, I started to see the weight come off. 

Action item:

Identify one goal and outline the habits or systems to achieve it. 

Make Habits Obvious, Attractive, Easy, and Satisfying

As Clear states “A habit must be established before it can be improved.”

In order to establish good habits – and break the bad ones –  we need to understand the science behind habit formation. 

Cue, craving, response, and reward is a four-step process that describes how habits are formed and can be changed.

Cue: A trigger that initiates a behavior. 

Craving: The motivational force behind the habit. 

Response: The actual habit that is performed.

Reward: The end goal of the habit. 

Habits stick when they are easy to start and rewarding to maintain.

Clear introduces the Four Laws of Behavior Change to make habits stick.

 I’ll continue using fitness as an example so you can wrap your head around it. 

Make it Obvious: Use visual cues, like keeping healthy snacks in clear containers on the counter or placing workout clothes where you’ll see them.

Make it Attractive: Pair the habit with something enjoyable, such as listening to your favorite podcast while exercising or watching a show while meal prepping.

Make it Easy: Start with a small, manageable version, like doing five push-ups or taking a 10-minute walk instead of committing to a full workout.

Make it Satisfying: Reward yourself to reinforce the behavior, such as relaxing with a favorite book or tracking your progress on a chart after completing the habit.

Heads up, make sure your reward doesn’t trigger the return of bad habits

In my case I found “cheat meals” weren’t helpful because they turned into “cheat days” and completely threw off the routine I was developing.  

Action Item:

Choose a habit you want to build and apply the Four Laws.

The Power of Tiny Gains

The idea of “tiny gains” in Atomic Habits is rooted in the principle that small, consistent improvements compound over time, much like interest on a savings account.

Or, as James says “Habits are the compound interest of self-improvement.”

Aiming for big, sudden leaps often leads to frustration and burnout, whereas small, consistent efforts feel manageable and sustainable.

But those tiny gains help you focus on steady progress instead of striving for perfection. 

And each small improvement reinforces your belief that progress is possible. These wins motivate you and prove your habits are working, encouraging you to stay consistent.

For example, I celebrated every day I went without eating ice cream as a tiny win. Those daily victories added up, reinforcing my commitment and showing me that change was possible.

Action Item:

Choose one tiny win you can aim for every day. 

Terry’s Recommendation Zone:

Atomic Habits is a great book, but it also runs a bit long—especially if you’re new to personal development. So if you want to get the gist of it without investing too much time, you gotta check out Shortform. Shortform is an easy way to dive into all those books you’ve been meaning to read. Whether you’re into self-improvement, business strategies, or personal growth, Shortform delivers detailed book guides with in-depth summaries, exercises, and actionable insights you can apply right away.

Now, while Shortform isn’t a replacement for reading full books, it’s an efficient way to explore key concepts and decide if a deeper read is worth your time—or even cram for an event the day before. You can get through some of the book guides on Shortform in just two hours, whereas the full book might take six. You can even start with the audio version, so you can listen and learn on the go. Ready to dive in? You can use my exclusive link to start your free Shortform trial today.

Applying these principles to your daily habits can help you achieve consistent progress, build discipline, and create lasting transformation in both your personal and professional life. 

You don’t have to broadcast it in public like I did, but your achievements will be just as meaningful. 

That’s it for now, but here’s a quick recap:

• Focus on building systems, not just goals, to ensure progress is inevitable and sustainable.
• Use the Four Laws of Behavior Change to establish habits that stick by making them simple, rewarding, and actionable.
• Embrace the concept of tiny gains by celebrating small daily victories, reinforcing your belief in the power of progress.

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