James Clear: The Living Proof That There Is Life Beyond Mediocrity

I love the opportunity to interview people like James Clear. People who are the living proof, that there is life beyond mediocrity; life beyond the common knowledge. People who use their existence as an opportunity to show the limitless capacity of a human being.

I love the opportunity that people like James offer me- the opportunity to sneak in their life, and take a piece of their passion, motivation,knowledge and then use it as a stepping stone in my own life.

I found James, when one of my clients, told me about this really inspirational and smart guy, and his book “Transform Your Habits”. I remember how I couldn’t wait to get back home and log on my computer. From there on I was hooked. Nowadays I’ve signed up for his newsletter and I eagerly anticipate his weekly e-mails. They are one of the most quality messages I get in my inbox.

I thought that it would be selfish to keep this kind of inspiration, just for myself, so I decided to reach out to James and ask him for an interview.

No matter what I say about James, words would belittle his great personality, so I will let him do the “talking”. I forgot to ask him, if he is gonna come visit us in Bulgaria and add an album of pictures from our country to his archive, but I will use the moment to invite him and hope someday he will come. Bulgaria is a truly beautiful place and it is heaven for a person who loves taking pictures.

Before that, do not forget to join my Facebook Page and keep track of other great interviews and articles HERE.

Ines Subashka: For those of you who are not familiar with you ( even though I doubt there are many), you are an entrepreneur, weightlifter, and travel photographer in 20 countries. Just reading it, sounds thrilling and inspiring. How do you manage all those things? Most people have a hard time just taking 8 hour work shifts. What is it that drives your motivation, dedication and persistence?

 James Clear: I think there are two main drivers for me. The first is the urge to become good at something. The quest to master something — whether it’s photography, writing, or weightlifting.

The second is the desire to share what I know and teach it to others. I don’t think my ideas are particularly profound or world-changing, but if they can help at least one person then they are worth sharing.

IS: You’ve written a book “Transform Your Habits”, which is a short, but has a really “meaty” content and the most important it drives for action.  Would you share with us what is the most important thing for changing ones behavior?

JC: I think the most important thing is to focus on the process and not the outcome. So often, we are goal focused and obsessed with achieving a particular result. In reality, long-term change and improvement is always a process, not an event. I wrote more about this in these two articles:

Identity Based Habits

Goals and Systems

IS: Taking pictures is something like capturing the best moments and saving them for later- when you need to bring back an emotion; to revive an experience. What does photography mean to you, and what is the message you want to spread to your followers, by sharing all those beautiful pictures?

 JC: I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately. What type of message do I want to spread through my photography? I think I would like to get to a point where my images tell the story of what it was like to be in a certain place. In others the image says, “This is what it felt like to be here.”

I’m sure it will take me a long time to get to that point.

All pictures are a property of James Clear. I just “stole” a couple of them, so I can show you the beauty of his work. Check out for more beautiful pictures HERE.

IS: I bet that every living person, wants to look better and get fitter. You have a pretty vast experience when it comes to sports and nutrition. Would you share what is the training and nutrition method, that in your opinion works the best?

 JC: The best workout is the one you can stick with. I don’t think there is any one “best” program type. You can look at many types of fitness — swimmers, bodybuilders, volleyball players, olympic weightlifters, marathon runners, and so on — and you’ll find fit people in all areas. Ultimately, the “best” choice comes down to what fits your lifestyle and your goals.

For me, this includes things like intermittent fasting, a mostly Paleo diet, and Olympic weightlifting.

IS: A lot of people don’t like the life they lead, yet they prefer to settle in their comfort zone and get used to mediocrity, instead of challenge themselves and broaden their comfort zone.

As an entrepreneur, you are probably used to staying out of your comfort zone; having the courage to start, when your mind is filled with doubts, but your heart and intuition are telling you that the only path to success and happiness is daring to go after your better self and become the master of your life.

What would be your advice to people who are afraid of starting? People who never take the first step, because they let circumstances, doubts and fears keep them on the sidelines?

JC: What you have now is enough to start. It probably doesn’t feel like it. You probably don’t feel ready. You probably feel like you need to learn more, or need more money, or need more experience … but you don’t.

Most of us start in a relatively similar place — no money, no resources, no contacts, no experience — some people just choose to start anyway. Successful people start before they feel ready.

More on this here: Successful People Start Before They Feel Ready(read it! :))

 IS: I am a big believer that the traits in your character, which make you the best in one area of your life, are the once which have the potential to make you successful in everything else you try, given enough time, hard work and persistence. The traits that  make you successful in one area, once adapted in different area, are the working formula. In your opinion which are the traits in a person’s character, that add up to the formula for success?

 JC: I’ll go with persistence. No matter what your values or beliefs or goals happen to be, if you’re persistent then you can improve, make progress, develop consistency, and become better.

IS: What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

JC: For life: “Be kind to people and try to help them.”

For business: “Keep trying ideas until something comes easily.”

IS: Would you share some of the projects that you are presently involved in? What should people expect out of your blog and books?

 JC: I’m currently writing my first full book. Hopefully it will be ready by early to mid-2014. In the meantime, I’ll keep writing on my blog every Monday and Thursday. If you’d like to stay in touch, join the free newsletter HERE( note from Ines: Join it! It will be the best e-mails you receive in your inbox!)

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