3-2-1: How to be consistent, the value of beauty, and designing for relaxation
Length: • 3 mins
Annotated by Harley Ries
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3-2-1: How to be consistent, the value of beauty, and designing for relaxation
read on JamesClear.com | February 29, 2024
Happy 3-2-1 Thursday!
It's Launch Week!
My new habit app, Atoms, just launched on the App Store this week. Over 250,000 people downloaded it in the first 48 hours. It's been on the Top Charts on the App Store all week. It's the perfect app for someone who wants to build small habits that lead to big results. I think you'll love it.
Click here to learn more and download Atoms. (iOS only, Android coming soon!)
Here are 3 ideas, 2 quotes, and 1 question to consider this week...
3 Ideas From Me
I.
"If you want to avoid criticism, create less.
If you want to avoid irrelevance, create more."
II.
"I can't control the other person's behavior, but I can control my response. Their actions may be rude or unacceptable, but I still want my response to be measured and thoughtful. Even if they aren't doing what is right, I still want to make sure I'm doing what is right."
III.
"In theory, consistency is about being disciplined, determined, and unwavering.
In practice, consistency is about being adaptable. Don't have much time? Scale it down. Don't have much energy? Do the easy version. Find different ways to show up depending on the circumstances. Let your habits change shape to meet the demands of the day.
Adaptability is the way of consistency."
2 Quotes From Others
I.
A Fremen proverb from Dune by Frank Herbert:
"Be prepared to appreciate what you meet."
Source: Dune
II.
Novelist Toni Morrison on beauty:
"I think of beauty as an absolute necessity. I don't think it's a privilege or an indulgence, it's not even a quest. I think it's almost like knowledge, which is to say, it's what we were born for. I think finding, incorporating and then representing beauty is what humans do. With or without authorities telling us what it is, I think it would exist in any case.
The startle and the wonder of being in this place. This overwhelming beauty—some of it is natural, some of it is man-made, some of it is casual, some of it is a mere glance—is an absolute necessity. I don't think we can do without it any more than we can do without dreams or oxygen."
Source: The Paris Review (hat tip to Maya Popa)
1 Question For You
Design for relaxation. What is one change I can make to my environment that promotes mental peace and reduces stress?
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Until next week,
James Clear
Author of Atomic Habits and keynote speaker
p.s. When your friend says "just act normal"
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