When I first read James Clear’s Atomic Habits, it felt like someone had handed me a manual not just for building better habits, but for understanding the unique ways in which neurodiverse minds can thrive. As a founder who embraces neurodiversity—both in myself and in my team—I know firsthand how our strengths can drive brilliance, creativity, and innovation. But I also know the challenges we face, and how habits can help us compensate for the hard parts and unlock even greater potential.
Neurodiverse founders and teams have the power to think differently, solve problems creatively, and approach challenges with a fresh perspective. But traditional systems aren’t always designed with us in mind. That’s why the principles in Atomic Habits are so impactful: they’re flexible, customizable, and rooted in understanding how small changes can lead to extraordinary results.
Let’s dive into how these principles can transform the way neurodiverse founders and teams work, create, and succeed.
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NOTE: RCY Labs has curated a list of 52 books for Founders (2025 Edition) who care about business profitability AND impact. Don't have time to read all 52 books? We've got you! We'll read them for you, and give you the summaries, audio casts, outlines, and frameworks to apply to your business ... all FREE in the Founders' Lab Community (on Slack). Join here.
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1% Better Every Day: Breaking Down Overwhelm
Big goals are inspiring, but for many neurodiverse minds, they can also feel overwhelming. It’s easy to get stuck in analysis paralysis or feel paralyzed by the sheer size of the task ahead. Clear’s concept of getting 1% better every day reframes progress in a way that feels achievable. Instead of focusing on the mountain, we focus on the next step.
For neurodiverse teams, this approach is empowering. It shifts the narrative from “We have to do it all” to “What’s one small thing we can do today?” For example, I’ve seen how breaking down large, complex projects into tiny, actionable steps not only helps reduce overwhelm but also creates momentum. It’s not about doing everything perfectly—it’s about making progress, even if it’s just a little.
Designing Habits Around Strengths
Neurodiversity often comes with exceptional strengths—creativity, hyper-focus, big-picture thinking—and unique challenges, like difficulty with time management or task switching. One of the most powerful lessons from Atomic Habits is that habits should be designed to work with your strengths, not against them.
For instance, neurodiverse individuals often thrive in environments that provide clear visual cues. In my own experience, creating a visual system for tracking projects has been a game-changer. It’s not just about staying organized—it’s about creating a structure that allows me to lean into my creativity without getting derailed by details.
Teams can benefit from this principle too. Some team members might excel with checklists and detailed timelines, while others might thrive in flexible sprints that harness bursts of creativity. The key is to create systems that celebrate individual strengths while addressing potential challenges.
The Power of Identity: Reframing Success
“Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become.” This quote from Atomic Habits isn’t just motivational; it’s transformational. For neurodiverse founders, success often feels tied to fitting into a mold that wasn’t designed for us. But what if we flipped the narrative?
Instead of chasing someone else’s definition of success, we can align our habits with the identity we want to embrace. For neurodiverse founders, that might mean reframing “I’m not organized” into “I’m the kind of leader who creates systems that empower my team.” It’s not about being perfect—it’s about building habits that reflect who you are and the impact you want to make.
This shift can be incredibly freeing. It allows us to focus on the brilliance we bring to the table while building habits that help us navigate the roadblocks.
Breaking Bad Habits: Adding Friction
One of the challenges neurodiverse individuals often face is the pull of instant gratification—whether it’s distractions, impulsive decisions, or procrastination loops. Clear’s method for breaking bad habits by adding friction is particularly effective here.
Think about it: If checking your phone derails your focus, what happens when you leave it in another room during work hours? By adding a small barrier, you create the space to stay on track. For teams, this could look like turning off non-essential notifications during deep work sessions or creating dedicated time blocks for focused collaboration.
It’s not about eliminating bad habits overnight—it’s about making them just a little harder to stick with.
Celebrating Wins: Fueling Momentum
Dopamine is a powerful motivator, and neurodiverse minds often crave it in unique ways. That’s why Clear’s principle of making habits satisfying is so impactful. Celebrating small wins doesn’t just feel good—it creates the momentum to keep going.
In my team, we’ve embraced micro-celebrations. Whether it’s sharing progress in a Slack channel or marking milestones visually on a shared board, these moments of recognition fuel our motivation. They remind us that even the smallest steps forward matter.
For neurodiverse founders, this principle is a reminder to pause and acknowledge the progress we’ve made, even if it doesn’t look like traditional success. Progress is progress, and it deserves to be celebrated.
Leaning Into Strengths, Building Around Challenges
The beauty of Atomic Habits is its adaptability. It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s a framework that allows neurodiverse founders and teams to lean into their strengths while building systems to navigate challenges. It’s an affirmation that the way we think, create, and lead is valuable—and that with the right habits, we can amplify that value even further.
Neurodiversity isn’t a limitation. It’s a superpower. When we embrace habits that compensate for the hard parts and enhance the brilliant parts, we can create a bigger impact and build a world that celebrates different ways of thinking.
If you’re a neurodiverse founder or part of a neurodiverse team, I encourage you to explore the principles of Atomic Habits. Start small. Experiment. And remember: your way of thinking is your strength. Let your habits be the foundation that helps you share it with the world.
What habits have made the biggest difference in your journey?
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RCY Labs has curated a list of 52 books for Founders (2025 Edition) who care about business profitability AND impact. Don't have time to read all 52 books? We've got you! We'll read them for you, and give you the summaries, audio casts, outlines, and frameworks to apply to your business ... all FREE in the Founders' Lab Community (on Slack). Join here.
