Planning for Your Best Year Ever in 2026
The ‘Atomic’ Approach
–A Six Part Series–
Part One
by
Bob Marshall
November 25, 2025
The Central Theme Behind What We Do
At TBMG, International, we live by a simple philosophy: the classics of recruitment success never change. They may evolve with the times, but the core principles remain. If you share that belief, you’ll fit right in.
We follow the Golden Circle:
We treat this business as a Process, not a Series of Events
Why we do what we do:
We believe timeless recruitment principles drive consistent results. Those who embrace these principles achieve more, and we encourage you to do the same.
How we do what we do:
We repeat and reinforce these classic principles regularly until they become second nature for the recruiters we coach.
What we do:
We provide expert, affordable coaching, training, and proven recruitment tools—and we make sure our recruiters know how to use them consistently.
We believe in the Partnership Approach:
We focus on the Knowledge Deficiencies
You focus on the Execution Deficiencies
Part One – Planning Using The Atomic Approach
Before we dive in, grab a pen and write down these numbers:
87 / 10 / 3
1 / 1.5 / 15
Now, let’s break down what they mean.
What is The Atomic Approach?
In 2018, James Clear published Atomic Habits, showing that tiny, consistent changes can lead to extraordinary results. He also gives us the tools to build good habits and break bad ones.
Atomic Habit Fundamentals:
- Small changes compound into massive results: Improving by just 1% every day makes you 37 times better in a year.
- Patience matters: Habits often work “behind the scenes” before showing results. Think of it as a melting ice cube—progress is happening, even if you don’t see it yet.
- Focus on systems, not just goals: Goals alone don’t produce success. Olympians don’t win gold medals by writing goals—they win by focusing on the processes that drive results. “Fix the inputs, and the outputs will take care of themselves.”
- Shift your identity: Internalize your goals. Say it, own it, be it. “I am a $500K-per-year recruiter.” Your identity aligns your behavior with your objectives.
How Habits Work
A habit is an automatic behavior your brain creates to save energy. To build habits effectively, you need to influence how your brain responds using the Habit Feedback Loop:
- Make it Obvious (Cue):
Set your environment up for success. Plan your calls and marketing in advance. Visibility drives action. - Make it Attractive (Craving):
Bundle habits with rewards. “After 10 marketing calls, I check social media.” Surround yourself with people who share your habits. Speak positively to your subconscious: “I am a great marketer.” Remember: your brain doesn’t hear negation. - Make it Easy (Response):
Begin. Preparation without action is procrastination. Repetition builds automaticity. Reduce friction for good habits and increase friction for bad ones—block distracting apps, mute notifications, optimize your environment. - Make it Satisfying (Reward):
Humans are wired for immediate feedback. Reward yourself instantly—point systems, recognition, contests. Missed goals? Add accountability with meaningful consequences.
Understanding the Numbers
Here’s why writing goals and making plans works.
From Zig Ziglar (Yale, 1953):
- 87% of people had no goals
- 10% had goals but did not write them down
- 3% had written goals
Results over 20 years:
- 10% earned 1.5x more than the 87%
- 3% earned 15x more
From Harvard MBA Study (1979):
Graduating students were asked: “Have you set written goals and created a plan for their attainment?”
- 84% had no goals
- 13% had written goals, but no plan
- 3% had both written goals and a concrete plan
Ten years later:
- 13% earned twice as much as the 84% with no goals
- 3% earned 10 times as much as the rest
The takeaway: Writing your goals AND creating a plan is a game-changer. It’s not luck—it’s leverage.
A Short Story: From Average to $500K
Meet Sarah, a mid-level recruiter who had been working hard for years but never seemed to break through the $150K mark. She had ambition, but no clear plan.
Sarah decided to apply the Atomic Approach. She started small:
- Cue: She wrote down her daily calls and client follow-ups in a planner the night before.
- Craving: She paired her work with small rewards—like a coffee from her favorite café after completing her marketing tasks.
- Response: She committed to just starting, even if it was only one call at first, building momentum daily.
- Reward: She tracked her wins with a point system, celebrating every milestone.
Sarah also wrote down her goals and created a clear plan: “I will become a $500K-per-year recruiter within 3 years by placing X number of candidates per month.”
Within a year, Sarah’s habits had compounded. She was not just working harder—she was working smarter. By year three, she had shattered her old income ceiling and became a top earner, simply by applying consistent small habits and a clear plan.
Moral of the story: Small, consistent actions—aligned with a written plan—produce results that often feel “miraculous,” but they are really the natural outcome of deliberate habits.
Next week: Part Two – Planning & 5 Central Principles of Goal Setting
Bob Marshall began his recruiting career over 45 years ago at MR in Reno, NV. In 1986 he established The Bob Marshall Group, International, where he has trained recruiters throughout the United States and also in the United Kingdom, Malta and Cyprus. With a dedication to executive recruiting, he continues to offer his proven training systems to individuals, firms, and private corporations both domestic and in select international territories. To learn more about his activities and descriptions of his products and services, contact him directly @770-898-5550/470-456-0386(m); bob@themarshallplan.org; or visit his website @ www.TheMarshallPlan.org.