Guy Kawasaki Habits for Remarkable Results
Table of Contents
Guy Kawasaki's Habits for Remarkable Living
Guy Kawasaki, a renowned marketing executive and author, has distilled a set of powerful habits designed to propel individuals towards remarkable achievements. These aren't just abstract theories; they are grounded in Kawasaki's extensive experience at Apple and Canva, reflecting a pragmatic approach to personal and professional growth. By focusing on both the micro-details and the big picture, these habits offer a roadmap for anyone seeking to elevate their performance and impact.
These habits emphasize continuous improvement, effective execution, and a commitment to contributing value. They are about building a strong foundation through mindful actions and fostering a mindset geared towards adaptability and resilience.
"Remarkable people do good shit."
Filter Habits
Guy Kawasaki's Habit Sets
Guy Kawasaki's Habit Sets 
Sweat the Small Stuff
Pay meticulous attention to minor details like professional email addresses and profile pictures. These elements shape others' perceptions of competence and trustworthiness before substantive interactions occur.
Why This Matters
Guy Kawasaki emphasizes that people form snap judgments based on superficial details. He advocates refining these elements to establish credibility, as demonstrated by his critique of outdated email providers in professional contexts[2][8].
Adopt Growth Mindset
Cultivate the belief that skills can be developed through effort. Approach challenges as learning opportunities rather than fixed tests of ability.
Why This Matters
Kawasaki ties this to career longevity, arguing that adaptability enables professionals to remain relevant amid technological changes. He contrasts this with fixed mindsets that limit innovation[2][7].
Become Indispensable Multiplier
Volunteer for diverse tasks beyond core responsibilities to increase organizational value. Develop cross-functional expertise that makes you irreplaceable.
Why This Matters
Kawasaki cites Andrew Zimmern's career strategy - doing everything from dishwashing to inventory management built his culinary reputation. This aligns with Kawasaki's view that versatility creates opportunities[2][7].
Execute Quality Work
Focus on creating substantive value through excellent products/services rather than self-promotion. Let results speak louder than personal branding.
Why This Matters
Kawasaki argues remarkable people 'do good shit' that directly improves lives. He emphasizes tangible impact over thought leadership posturing, as seen in his Apple evangelism[2][8].
Fulfill Success Obligation
Mentor others and create opportunities once achieving success. Recognize that no one succeeds without help and pay it forward systematically.
Why This Matters
Kawasaki views this as ethical debt repayment. His work with startups and writing free guides exemplifies this habit, ensuring others benefit from his Apple/Canva experience[2][7].
Optimize Decision Implementation
Focus less on perfect choices and more on effective execution. Adapt decisions dynamically based on real-world feedback rather than clinging to initial plans.
Why This Matters
Kawasaki compares this to surfing - his daughter caught waves by adjusting mid-action. He argues overanalysis paralyzes, while implementation creates momentum[2][8].
Anchor New Habits
Attach new routines to existing behaviors using BJ Fogg's Tiny Habits method. Example: Floss immediately after brushing teeth.
Why This Matters
Kawasaki promotes this neuroscience-backed approach to reduce activation energy. He applies it personally, like attaching Holoholo journaling to iPhone photo habits[3][6].
Embrace Flexible Consistency
Pursue goals with adaptable persistence rather than rigid perfectionism. Use 'if-then' contingency planning for obstacles.
Why This Matters
Kawasaki endorses Katy Milkman's research showing all-or-nothing approaches fail. He applies this to fitness - substituting home workouts when weather prevents gym visits[3][4].
Cultivate Identity-Based Goals
Frame objectives around who you want to become ('healthy person') rather than what to achieve ('lose 10lbs'). Celebrate small wins reinforcing this identity.
Why This Matters
Kawasaki adopted this from James Clear's Atomic Habits. He stopped New Year's resolutions, instead writing 'life lessons' about his evolving identity[3][6].
Leverage Fresh Starts
Use temporal landmarks like Mondays or birthdays to initiate changes. These provide psychological separation from past failures.
Why This Matters
Kawasaki cites Milkman's research showing people are 30% more likely to start goals at fresh starts. He times new habits with New Year's/seasonal transitions[3][6].
Implement If-Then Planning
Predefine contingency responses to anticipated obstacles. Example: 'If meeting runs late, then do 5-minute HIIT workout instead of gym.'
Why This Matters
Kawasaki uses this Milkman strategy to maintain habit consistency despite disruptions. It reduces decision fatigue during chaotic moments[3][4].
Create Negative Associations
Link bad habits with unpleasant consequences. Example: Donating to disliked cause when breaking commitments.
Why This Matters
Kawasaki endorses Milkman's strategy of using aversion therapy. He humorously mentions hiding cookies to avoid 3am email binges[4].
Use Public Accountability
Announce goals to social networks, creating pressure to follow through. Combine with apps tracking progress transparently.
Why This Matters
Kawasaki knows public shame motivates better than private goals. He applies this via social media declarations about projects like Holoholo[4][6].
Replace Don't Remove
Substitute bad habits with positive analogs providing similar rewards. Example: Replace smoking with flavored toothpicks.
Why This Matters
Kawasaki promotes Milkman's harm reduction approach. He suggests enjoyable alternatives like hiking instead of strict deprivation[4].
Start with Tiny Habits
Begin behavior changes with micro-actions requiring under 60 seconds. Example: One push-up daily before expanding workouts.
Why This Matters
Kawasaki follows BJ Fogg's research showing small wins build momentum. He applied this to learning hockey at 44 through incremental practice[3][7].
Audit Support Networks
Regularly assess who genuinely supports your growth versus enabling bad habits. Limit time with saboteurs.
Why This Matters
Kawasaki learned from Jobs to surround himself with truth-tellers. He advises informing networks about goals to filter true allies[4][7].
Leverage IKEA Effect
Increase valuation of self-made items through hands-on creation. Build custom solutions rather than buying prefabricated.
Why This Matters
Kawasaki endorses Mike Norton's research showing self-built items carry emotional weight. He applies this to team-building via collaborative projects[5].
Daily Self-Proving
Approach each day as an opportunity to demonstrate competence. Welcome challenges that test abilities.
Why This Matters
Kawasaki internalized this from Steve Jobs' relentless standards. He describes Apple's culture as daily proof of worth[7].
Prioritize Truth Over Flattery
Give candid feedback even when uncomfortable. Avoid sugarcoating to preserve relationships.
Why This Matters
Kawasaki learned from Jobs that truth builds trust. His infamous 'mediocre company' critique passed Jobs' test and defined his career[7].
Document Chronological Progress
Maintain timestamped records of daily activities and visual milestones. Use apps like Holoholo for automated tracking.
Why This Matters
Kawasaki created Holoholo to visualize progress through geotagged photos. He invests in systems providing tangible growth evidence[3][6].
Key Takeaways for Cultivating Remarkable Habits
Guy Kawasaki's habits provide a comprehensive framework for personal and professional development. Here's a quick review of the key takeaways to integrate into your daily routine:
- Sweat the Small Stuff: Attention to Detail Matters - First impressions are crucial. Polished professional details establish credibility before deeper interactions even begin.
- Adopt Growth Mindset: Embrace Learning and Adaptability - View challenges as opportunities for growth and cultivate the belief that skills can be developed through effort.
- Become Indispensable Multiplier: Increase Your Value - Volunteer beyond your core role and develop diverse skills to become a highly valued and irreplaceable asset.
- Execute Quality Work: Focus on Impactful Results - Let exceptional products and services speak for themselves, prioritizing tangible value creation over mere self-promotion.
- Fulfill Success Obligation: Pay It Forward - Mentor others and create opportunities for those following behind, acknowledging the help you've received on your journey.
- Optimize Decision Implementation: Action Over Perfection - Focus on effective execution and adapt dynamically to feedback, understanding that momentum is built through action, not just planning.
- Anchor New Habits: Leverage Existing Routines - Attach new habits to established behaviors for easier integration and reduced resistance, using the power of habit stacking.
- Embrace Flexible Consistency: Adaptable Persistence is Key - Pursue goals with persistence but adapt your approach to overcome obstacles, avoiding rigid perfectionism that can lead to burnout.
- Cultivate Identity-Based Goals: Become the Person You Aspire To Be - Frame goals around your desired identity rather than just outcomes, celebrating small wins that reinforce this self-image.
- Leverage Fresh Starts: Utilize Temporal Landmarks - Use Mondays, birthdays, or other fresh starts as psychological triggers to initiate new habits and overcome past inertia.
- Implement If-Then Planning: Prepare for Obstacles - Predefine responses to anticipated challenges to maintain consistency and reduce decision fatigue in the face of disruptions.
- Create Negative Associations: Discourage Bad Habits - Link undesirable habits with unpleasant consequences to build aversion and reinforce positive behavior change.
- Use Public Accountability: Harness Social Pressure - Announce your goals publicly to increase commitment and utilize transparency to stay on track.
- Replace Don't Remove: Substitute for Success - Replace bad habits with positive alternatives that offer similar rewards, making the transition smoother and more sustainable.
- Start with Tiny Habits: Build Momentum with Micro-Actions - Begin with extremely small, easily achievable actions to create momentum and gradually expand your habits.
- Audit Support Networks: Surround Yourself with Growth Enablers - Assess your relationships and prioritize time with those who genuinely support your growth and discourage negative patterns.
- Leverage IKEA Effect: Value What You Create - Increase your investment and satisfaction by actively participating in the creation process, building custom solutions and fostering a sense of ownership.
- Daily Self-Proving: Embrace Daily Challenges - Approach each day as an opportunity to demonstrate your competence and welcome challenges as tests of your abilities.
- Prioritize Truth Over Flattery: Value Honest Feedback - Give candid feedback, even when uncomfortable, to build trust and ensure genuine progress.
- Document Chronological Progress: Visualize Your Growth - Track your daily activities and milestones to create tangible evidence of your progress and maintain motivation.
Start small, stay consistent, and watch remarkable results unfold in your life.