Atomic Habits and the Power of Small Wins: Why Tiny Changes Matter

By Sunil Kumar

If you haven’t read Atomic Habits by James Clear yet, let me start by saying: I can’t recommend it enough. It’s a practical, life-changing book that’s transformed how I think about growth, and it’s had a ripple effect across our Accountability Club community. You can grab a copy for just £10 on Amazon. Honestly, it's the best use of money if you’re ready to shift your habits.

What is Atomic Habits about?

It’s a powerful guide to creating lasting change by focusing on the small, daily habits that shape your identity and your life. James Clear doesn't just encourage goal-setting. He explains that true transformation comes from building supportive systems.

His four-step model: cue, craving, response, reward, makes the science of habit formation easy to understand and, more importantly, easy to apply.

But what stuck with me most was this:

"Every habit is a vote for the type of person you wish to become."

It’s not about achieving perfection. It’s about small wins, consistently. That’s what builds momentum.

Be – Do – Have: My Favourite Framework

One of the most powerful mindset shifts is the Be – Do – Have framework.

It completely reframed how I approach goals, habits, and personal growth. The idea is simple, but deeply transformative.

Most of us start with the Have - we focus on what we want: more time, better health, a successful business, a stronger mindset.

Then we move to the Do - we map out the tasks, routines, and strategies that we think will get us there. But we often overlook the most crucial starting point: the Be.

It all begins with identity. Who are you becoming? What kind of person would naturally do the things required to have the outcomes you desire?

When you focus on the Be - on aligning with the mindset, values, and self-image of the version of you who already has those things, everything else starts to fall into place.

This framework has become a toolkit for real, lasting change in my life. It’s not just about doing more or having more; it’s about becoming more, and from that place, taking aligned action. It all comes back to self-awareness.

How It Impacted Me and Our Community

In the club, we didn’t just read Atomic Habits: we lived it. Over six weeks, we read it in small batches and came together to share what stood out, what worked, and how we were applying it to real-world goals.

That shared accountability made all the difference. I knew I had to show up, not just for me, but for everyone else. And that’s what made the learning stick. We were moving forward, together.

So often, we read a great book and then... it gathers dust on the shelf. This time was different.

Everyone brought their own goals. We supported one another through challenges, setbacks, and wins. And because we focused on the process rather than the outcome, it felt more sustainable and empowering.

Small Wins, Big Shifts

I committed to focusing on my health. My tiny daily habits added up:

  • I removed unhealthy patterns that weren’t serving me

  • I had a health check and saw significant improvements

  • I started walking more, bit by bit, and now it’s second nature

These didn’t happen overnight, but they happened. Because I kept showing up, 1% better each day.

That 1% might not feel like much in the moment, but over a year? That’s a 37x improvement.

Everyone's Journey Looks Different

What I loved most about doing this as a group was seeing how each person applied the lessons differently. Because we all have different strengths, values, and challenges. This book gave us a shared language, but everyone wrote their own version of success.

Why Habits Matter More Than Motivation

So often we wait to “feel motivated” before we take action, but the truth is, motivation is fleeting. What really creates change is consistency. That’s where habits come in. Atomic Habits reminds us that we don’t need to rely on willpower or motivation to see results. Instead, we build systems that make good choices automatic. This shift from motivation to habit-building is what turns short bursts of effort into lifelong transformation.

"Small habits aren’t small forever. They stack up and shape who you become." – James Clear

Atomic Habits in Practice: Cohort 2 Starts 20th July

The experience was so transformative, we’re doing it again! Atomic Habits in Practice is a free 6-week experience for members of The Accountability Club.

Bring a personal goal. We’ll walk through the key concepts of the book together, meet weekly to reflect, and most importantly, we’ll support each other through the process.

Because this isn’t just about reading a book. It’s about using it.

👉 Join the community here to take part. It's completely free for members!

My Top 3 Quotes from Atomic Habits

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

A brilliant reminder that dreaming big is great, but it’s your daily habits that carry you there.

“Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become.”

This helped me stay aligned. Each walk, each healthy meal, each moment of consistency was a vote for a healthier version of me.

“Habits are the compound interest of self-improvement.”

Your small wins may not feel groundbreaking today, but over time, they’re powerful. Trust the compound effect.


If you’ve read the book or are thinking of joining us, I’d love to hear your thoughts. What’s one habit you want to shift? What’s one identity you’re building toward?

Let’s grow together.

About The Author

Sunil Kumar

Sunil Kumar

Founder

With over 25 years of entrepreneurial experience, Sunil has built, scaled, and explored more than 50 businesses across diverse industries, including two successful exits. He started the Accountability Club because he personally needed accountability, and saw the potential in building a space where others could find the same.

As founder, he leads the vision and direction of the community, creating a place where entrepreneurs and goal-driven individuals connect, support each other, and make real progress. His passion for building communities and inspiring growth is at the heart of everything the club stands for.

Day to day, Sunil steers the evolution of the club and fosters an environment of accountability, connection, and action. His goal is simple: to help members follow through on what matters most to them.

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