The Best Minute: On goals, success, and edits

2 QUOTES FROM OTHERS

I. James Clear on why systems > goals:

“You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.

Your goal is your desired outcome. Your system is the collection of daily habits that will get you there.

This year, spend less time focusing on outcomes and more time focusing on the habits that precede the results.”

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II. Greg Mckeown on how focusing on success can lead to failure:

“The pursuit of success can be a catalyst for failure. Put another way, success can distract us from focusing on the essential things that produce success in the first place.”

2 IDEAS FROM ME

I. Since 1981, every single film that has won Best Picture has also been nominated for Film Editing. As we begin a new year, a good question to think about is not just “what new things should I try” but also “what slight adjustments to what I am currently doing will bring the biggest results.”

It’s not always about trying something new but making edits and improvements on what you are currently doing.

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II. Instead of setting goals for 2022, set a couple of small habits.

Instead of “read 20 books this year” try “read 10 minutes a day on the weekdays.”
Instead of “lose 20 pounds this year” try “eat one more fruit or vegetable a day.”
Instead of “get out of debt” try “increase debt payments by 1% a month.”

Goals without habits to sustain us always fail. Focus on small and sustainable habits that will shape you into the person you want to become.

1 INTERESTING FACT

Time balls were invented to help sailors.

Long before it was used on New Year's Eve, a ball on top of England's Royal Observatory in Greenwich was dropped at 1 p.m. every day (starting in 1833) to help ship captains coordinate their navigation equipment. Similar balls were set up in coastal areas around the world.

Source: Good Housekeeping