Summarizing Tidbits from James Clear Articles

#180

Before reading Atomic Habits, I used to subscribe to James Clear's blog. Here is a gist of tidbits from those addictive articles I simply couldn't stop reading!

Replace Deadline with Specific Action

Instead of saying 'I'll get 500 YouTube subscribers in 100 days', change it to 'I'll record and publish 1 video every Tuesday and Friday for 2 months.' Do the action sincerely and the results will follow. Don't worry about the outcome, focus on getting your content out.

Avoid Edge Cases

If you’re considering following a new eating regime but you’re worried that you won't adhere to it when you go out with your friends on Friday nights, that becomes an edge case. Friday night isn’t going to make or break you. It’s the work you put in during the other meals of the week that matters.

Execute Identity-Based Habits

To become a better writer, write 100 words each day. Over time, if that's what you really want to do and writer is who you really want to become, the goal will increase to 200 words, 300 words, and so on, until you find a sweet spot that works for you in terms of producing good content as well as gets things done.

Engage in First Principles Thinking

Elon Musk says this is the best approach to learn to think for yourself. A first principle is an assumption that cannot be broken down any further. It'll help you think like a scientist and paves the way for innovation. For instance, carrying bags to the airport in a vehicle will still require you to carry it in your hand within the airport. Solution - combine the bag with the wheels! Bam, enter trolley suitcase.

Let's look at first principles in action. Imagine you have a motorboat, military tank and a bicycle. Breaking these down into their constituent parts, you get:

• Motorboat: motor, the hull of a boat, and a pair of skis
• Tank: metal treads, steel armour plates, and a gun
• Bicycle: handlebars, wheels, gears, and a seat

One way to recombine these is by combining the handlebars and seat from the bike, the metal treads from the tank, and the motor and skis from the boat. There you have it - a snowmobile.