Atomic Flow: Learn Something Unnecessary; Transform Your Business

Forbes

09-05-2025

Vortex split view of blue ocean waters below and above surface
I recently began learning sign language. It might sound strange at first. I do not know anyone with an auditory impairment, and there is no immediate practical need driving me to do it. But I started anyway. Why?
Because I want to grow.
In Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience, author Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi explores how humans thrive when they are engaged in what he calls 'optimal experience.' These moments occur when we stretch our skills, face new challenges, and grow in complexity as individuals. Growth, according to this framework, is not just something we achieve. It is something we experience deeply when we pursue it with intention.
This struck a chord with me. I realized how much I enjoy becoming more embodied when I meditate on Biblical Scripture by incorporating physical movement. Using my hands to reflect on truth gives me a richer sense of presence. That insight led me to want more physical involvement in learning. So I picked up sign language. Not because I had to. But because I could. I made a small commitment to learn the signs for one Bible verse each week. It felt meaningful. It also felt difficult.
And that is where most entrepreneurs get stuck.
We often tell ourselves we do not have time for 'unnecessary' growth. We convince ourselves that anything not directly contributing to revenue or efficiency is a luxury we cannot afford. But that mindset is shortsighted. As leaders, entrepreneurs are the engines of innovation in their organizations. If they are not growing, their businesses eventually stall. Learning something new for no immediate purpose can actually be one of the best investments you make.
Still, one major hurdle remains. Even if we want to grow, how can we do something new that is challenging without exhausting our limited reserves of willpower? (See my earlier Forbes article here: Make Your Budget Fun Again By Conserving Your Precious Willpower).
Enter James Clear's Atomic Habits. This book has profoundly shaped the way I think about change. Clear argues that lasting transformation does not come from massive bursts of effort but from the consistent application of smart, sustainable strategies. You do not need more willpower. You need a better system.
One of the most powerful strategies he teaches is 'habit stacking.' This means you anchor a new habit onto something you already do regularly. For example, after brushing your teeth, you practice five new signs. After your morning coffee, you read for five minutes. This builds a natural rhythm. The new habit no longer feels like a disruption. It becomes a seamless extension of your existing routine.
Clear also introduces the idea of making new habits obvious, attractive, easy, and satisfying. Take my sign language learning. I leave my flashcards on the kitchen table where I will see them every day. That is obvious. I made a rule that I only need to learn three new signs a week. That makes it easy. I tie the process to my desire to grow spiritually and personally. That makes it attractive. And I give myself a small reward, like taking a quiet walk or enjoying a good cup of coffee, after I practice. That makes it satisfying.
All of this applies directly to entrepreneurs. Whether you want to improve your public speaking, get in better shape, deepen your prayer life, or finally learn to code, you do not need to rely on bursts of motivation. You can build a system that helps you grow in complexity and character over time without draining your energy.
And here is the deeper lesson. Growth for its own sake is good for your soul. It expands your creativity. It increases your tolerance for discomfort. It builds a reservoir of inner strength that you will inevitably need during your next business challenge.
Too often, we limit our learning to what we deem 'useful.' But that utilitarian approach can actually shrink our world. When you engage in learning simply because it enriches you, you create mental and emotional space that cannot be measured in key performance indicators but pays dividends in resilience, empathy, and innovation.
So here is my challenge to you. Pick something to learn that has no immediate benefit. Learn an instrument. Study an ancient language. Try your hand at watercolor. Or yes, learn sign language. Not because you have to. But because you are becoming the kind of person who grows for the joy of it.
And if you are worried you do not have time or energy, remember this. You do not need willpower. You need a system. Stack your new habit onto an old one. Make it visible. Make it easy. Make it feel good. Then let time and consistency do the heavy lifting.
You may be surprised by what happens when you just keep growing as a priority. My next unnecessary thing to grow in is taking care of chickens.