Small Habits, Big Gains: James Clear Shares His Atomic Habits

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If you’re sick of struggling to reach your memory improvement goals, you need what James Clear calls “atomic habits.”

Why?

Because success is not about willpower. It’s about systems.

As someone who has completed a PhD, built multiple businesses and toured as a musician, I’ve known this for a fact for decades.

That’s one reason I was delighted when I saw the title of James Clear’s now classic book, Atomic Habits.

The title says it all:

Set up your systems optimally and your results will indeed be atomic.

Here’s one of my favorite quotes:

“You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.”

In this classic episode of the Magnetic Memory Method, originally recorded in 2018, James breaks down the life-changing power of the systems used by top performers.

Whether you’re developing your first Memory Palace Network or just looking to put some general memory improvement strategies to work in your life, this conversation will give you tools to build smarter and more sustainable habits for mental performance.

Who Is James Clear And What Are Atomic Habits?

In case James Clear is new to you, he’s an author, entrepreneur and travel photographer.

Although we recorded this episode before Atomic Habits hit the market, the book went on to become a #1 New York Times Bestseller.

As an expert in habit formation, James shares powerful tips on more than just introducing good habits. He also shows you how to break bad ones.

Even back in 2018, people were struggling with Digital Amnesia due to extended exposure to the Internet.

Since then, it’s gotten so bad that IQs are plummeting, a phenomenon called the Reverse Flynn Effect.

Combatting this problem is just one more reason Clear’s science-grounded tips are more important than ever before.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What the term “Atomic Habits” really means, and why it matters for memory
• How to design your environment to make learning automatic
• James’ simple formula for starting and sustaining great habits
• What it means to be “system-focused” rather than “goal-obsessed”
• How to bounce back from failure with your memory goals
• The difference between amateurs and professionals—and how it applies to learners
• Why tiny improvements are the fastest route to mastery

How Atomic Habits Changed My Memory Practice (And Life)

Since recording this conversation with James Clear in 2018, his insights have only grown more valuable, and more personal to me.

At the time, I already understood the power of systems.

But I looked at them with fresh eyes after reading Atomic Habits and refined how I use deliberate practice across my various activities as a practicing polymath.

Using ideas in this book helped shape the biggest wins of my life and business.

Thanks to applying these ideas relentlessly, I’ve since:

• Passed a Mandarin language test by memorizing 300+ characters with just 15 minutes of focused practice a day
• Completed my first Memory Detective novel
• Created two memory improvement games from scratch
• Grown my YouTube channel to over 152,000 subscribers
• Delivered a TEDx Talk on memory that’s now been viewed over 4 million times

And most recently… I’ve started the renovations on a real-world Memory Palace bookshop.

Working on this project has been a lifelong dream. It only became possible through years of structured, system-driven effort

If you’ve ever felt stuck, scattered, or frustrated on your memory journey (or with any big goal), I can tell you this from experience:

Success doesn’t come from willpower. It comes from well-built systems that help you harness the power of time.

All of which is to say that this episode with James Clear isn’t just a good listen.

It’s a blueprint.

Follow it, and your memory, learning, and creativity will all level up in ways you can’t yet imagine.

Curious to see what the systems can lead to in action?

Here’s the video where I first announced the Memory Palace Bookshop:

I still have quite a few steps to go, but I never would have gotten this far without focusing on building the best possible habits, one at a time.

James Clear Resources

James Clear’s website

Atomic Habits by James Clear on Amazon

James Clear on Entrepreneur’s website

Related Episodes:

How to Improve Concentration

Mind Map Mastery