Professionals stick to the schedule; Amateurs let life get in the way
Quotes and notes from the book, Atomic Habits
Hey
Last week, I shared key atomic ideas from the book ‘Atomic Habits’. Continuing the habit, sharing key quotes and notes from the book that will keep you in the rhythm.
Also, excited to share the list of monthly themes with you (FYI, we are talking habit building in Jan) - If you have feedback or suggestions on this list, just hit the reply button.
Key Quotes and Notes from the book: Atomic Habits
On Identity, Systems, Actions and Habits
Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become. No single instance will transform your beliefs, but as the votes build up, so does the evidence of your new identity.
The more pride you have in a particular aspect of your identity, the more motivated you will be to maintain the habits associated with it.
Your actions reveal how badly you want something. If you keep saying something is a priority but you never act on it, then you don’t really want it. It’s time to have an honest conversation with yourself.
Your actions reveal your true motivations.
Over the long run, however, the real reason you fail to stick with habits is that your self-image gets in the way. This is why you can't get too attached to one version of your identity. Progress requires unlearning. Becoming the best version of yourself requires you to continuously edit your beliefs, and to upgrade and expand your identity.
On system vs. goal thinking
You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.
If you want better results, then forget about setting goals. Focus on your system instead.
When you fall in love with the process rather than the product, you don’t have to wait to give yourself permission to be happy. You can be satisfied anytime your system is running.
You should be far more concerned with your current trajectory than with your current results.
The purpose of setting goals is to win the game. The purpose of building systems is to continue playing the game. True long-term thinking is goal-less thinking.
It’s not about any single accomplishment. It is about the cycle of endless refinement and continuous improvement. Ultimately, it is your commitment to the process that will determine your progress.
We imitate the habits of three groups in particular: The close. The many. The powerful.
On boredom
The greatest threat to success is not failure but boredom. We get bored with habits because they stop delighting us. The outcome becomes expected. And as our habits become ordinary, we start derailing our progress to seek novelty
“The only way to become excellent is to be endlessly fascinated by doing the same thing over and over. You have to fall in love with boredom.”