Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones

A compound describes two or more atoms that are fused together. Clear uses compound as an analogy to describe how the amalgamation of atoms—or atomic improvements in habits—forms something bigger over time. For example, compound interest describes returns on both the principle of investment and the interest. It is interest on interest. To apply this to habit formation, Clear suggests that improvement also happens in compounding ways; you improve on top of your previous improvements, not your original baseline. 

Humans desire instant gratification. When you start a new habit and you don’t see immediate results, there is a temptation to stop. This causes you to plateau rather than developing your latent potential. You must stick with habits long enough to get past the plateau and then you begin to see compounding growth. Clear uses the example of bamboo, which can grow up to 90 feet in 6 weeks, but has been growing roots for 5 years—we only see the final result, not the small changes that took place to create the result.

An example of this plateau is described by Steve Martin, the comedian. He reflects that his journey involved “10 years spent learning, 4 years spent refining, and 4 years as a wild success” (Chapter 19, 3). From the outside, people only see the wild success, but Martin spent years refining his craft before he became famous. 

The Valley of Disappointment is part of the Plateau of Latent Potential. When you start a new habit, progress happens slowly. It feels like you aren’t improving, but compound results take time to become obvious. It is important to stick with things even when you don’t see results right away.