Pavan Pamujula's Key Ideas from Atomic Habits
by James Clear

It is extremely difficult to build good habits and perhaps more difficult to break bad ones. Difficult but not impossible. In fact, there is a hack. Instead of focusing on the final outcome or goal you seek to achieve, which may seem so far off, spend time on creating an effective system that allows you to make progress toward the goal. Goals tell you where you want to go and systems show you how to get there.

Goals are transient; everyone wants results but problems often resurface with this type of mindset. Lasting change comes from creating the right process and automating procedures. The excitement that comes from achieving goals is often short–lived.

Also, people with a goals–first mentality put off their happiness for a future time. With a systems–first mentality, you enjoy every step that leads up to the goal. When you enjoy what you do, you are more likely to repeat it.

Old habits return when there is nothing to sustain you beyond the achievement of a goal. If you set a goal of losing 20 pounds for example, there are a number of ways you can achieve that goal. However, you may revert to old habits after hitting the 20 pound mark because you did not create an effective system that helps you with your weight management. You’re not simply playing to win one game but to become a true champion. Atomic habits create true champions. Just as atoms are the building blocks of molecules, atomic habits help you create systems that work.