Many of us tend to live in the future, thinking, "If I do this, then I'll be happy." This is known as a "goal-first mentality." However, this mindset can limit our present happiness. Atomic Habits proposes that a "system-first mentality" is the solution. This approach focuses on the process rather than the goals. By adopting a system-first mentality, we don't need to wait for permission to be happy—we can find satisfaction as long as we maintain our system.
Imagine this scenario: you're at the gym trying to lose weight. Days go by without visible results, so you quit. Your friend Brad, however, sticks with it and by the 10th week, he starts to see significant changes. Why did this happen? It's because habits often appear ineffective until you cross a critical threshold—a phenomenon called "The plateau of latent potential." This concept suggests that your work isn't wasted; rather, it's stored up and will show results once you cross this plateau. Your efforts accumulate behind the scenes, and breakthroughs happen seemingly all at once when you least expect them.
The book suggests that each habit acts as a proposal for your identity. When you finish reading a book, you might consider yourself someone who enjoys reading. Similarly, writing an article could reinforce the idea that you're a writer. The key is to view each action as a reflection of your identity. While writing a single article doesn't automatically make you a writer, adopting this mindset can help shift your beliefs. By thinking of yourself in this way, you can begin taking small, consistent steps to reinforce your desired identity.