Lessons from Atomic Habits and the Roots That Ground Us

My brother and I recently dove into a classic book, Atomic Habits by James Clear. We were drawn to it by our shared passion for our reselling business. As “everything sellers” on platforms like eBay, Poshmark, Mercari, and others, we’re constantly navigating the ebb and flow of the reselling world. This passion is something we inherited from our mom, Betty, whose love for reselling (and life) is unmatched. In fact, I named my reselling store “Betty’s Treasure Trove” as a tribute to her unwavering zest and inspiration.

Reading Atomic Habits reminded me of trees and their roots—how every towering tree we see relies on a complex, often unseen network of roots. These roots anchor the tree, provide nourishment, and ensure its ability to grow and adapt. The book emphasizes small, consistent actions—or “micro-steps”—as the roots of meaningful change. Goals may be the canopy we aspire to, but habits are the roots that keep us steady and growing.

In reselling, success isn’t just about listing items for sale—it’s about anticipating trends, understanding market shifts, and adapting your inventory and strategy accordingly. These adjustments, much like nurturing roots, may seem minor at first but are critical to long-term growth. For example, noticing a trending category and sourcing accordingly might feel like a small tweak, but over time, it ensures a thriving business. Similarly, changing up item titles to match how buyers search can be the difference between a sale and an item gathering dust.

The same is true in life. Every day brings unforeseen changes, requiring us to shift focus and priorities. Life, like a reselling business, rarely unfolds exactly as planned. Thriving amidst unpredictability comes from habits—those deeply rooted practices that keep us grounded and moving forward, even when the winds are strong and the path ahead unclear.

Lessons I learned from Atomic Habits: Growth in Reselling, Life, and Business

1. Focus on Systems, Not Just Goals - In reselling, the “goal” might be to increase monthly sales by improving your sell-through rate. But the system—the daily habits of sourcing, listing, promoting, and engaging with buyers—is what drives results. Similarly, in life, it’s the consistent actions that shape who we become, just as roots shape the strength and stability of a tree.
2. Embrace Small Wins - In the book, Clear highlights the power of small wins to create momentum. In reselling, that could mean celebrating a sale, even a small one, because it reflects progress. In life, small wins—like completing a workout or making your bed every morning—build confidence and reinforce your commitment. In business, it may be getting a meeting with someone you've been courting for months, or closing a small deal that has the potential to become a whale. Like tiny roots extending beneath the soil, these wins may seem insignificant but ultimately form the foundation for growth.
3. Adapt to Change - Trees bend in the wind but remain rooted, and the reselling world (or any type of business for that matter) requires similar resilience. Shifts in consumer behavior and employee needs demand adaptability, just as life presents us with unexpected challenges. Regularly reviewing progress and adjusting ensures we stay flexible yet grounded, ready to thrive in changing environments.

Ultimately, both life and reselling are journeys, not destinations. They demand flexibility, persistence, and a willingness to learn from every twist and turn. Just like roots of a tree, the path to grow isn’t a straight line. Thanks to lessons from Atomic Habits, the shared passion for reselling I have with my brother, and the example set by my mom, I’m reminded that it’s the small, consistent actions we take daily that create lasting impact—not just in business but in life as well.

And… my mom always says, “Find one thing each day, no matter how small, that makes you happy.”

So, whether you’re listing vintage finds, setting course for a new business adventure, or navigating a major life transition, remember success isn’t in the goal; it’s in the habits you build to get there. Like roots nourishing a tree, it’s the daily work beneath the surface that makes growth possible.

Happy journeying…

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