Book Nook Cafe discussion

Please share your favorite quotes with us. :)

Maybe you have a favorite from a book you are currently reading or read in the past? Please share it with us.

Perhaps you have come across a quote that is inspirational. If so share it with the group. :)

Alias Reader wrote: ""
I like it!

Yes! Great quote with which to start 2020.

Most excellent observational quote!

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.

Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones---James Clear

Your identity can hold you back:

-I'm terrible with directions.
-I have a sweet tooth.
-I'm bad at math.

...or build you up:

-I'm the type of person who doesn't miss workouts.
-I finish what I start.
-I read every day.

Build habits that reinforce your desired identity.

Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones---James Clear

“People do not decide their futures, they decide their habits and their habits decide their futures.”

----F.M. Alexander on the importance of habits:

Alias, my children & i were discussing the identity points you made above. Ultimately we decided we need to make positive observations about our habits, rather than dismiss bad ones with a “it’s the Madrano way” for excuses. Good posts.

madrano wrote: "Alias, my children & i were discussing the identity points you made above. Ultimately we decided we need to make positive observations about our habits, rather than dismiss bad ones with a “it’s th..."

James Clear, the author of Atomic Habits sends out a weekly email with 3 ideas. This was from his last email. I find the emails very interesting. I usually share some of his thoughts here. Glad you like them.

I remember you mentioning that book. Sharing such books help us all learn with you.

That’s a new one on me, Alias. I like the thought. Thanks.

Wonderful question!

"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."

jamesclear: When a habit is truly important to you, you have to be willing to stick to it in any mood. Professionals take action even when the mood isn’t right. They might not enjoy it, but they find a way to put the reps in. There have been a lot of sets that I haven’t felt like finishing, but I’ve never regretted doing the workout. There have been a lot of articles I haven’t felt like writing, but I’ve never regretted publishing on schedule. There have been a lot of days I’ve felt like relaxing, but I’ve never regretted showing up and working on something that was important to me.

Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad OnesJames Clear

Another fresh point from this book, Alias. Viewing experts we often forget those days they persevered despite “not wanting to”.

Very true. You just have to do it!

Interesting. This could also be the hardest battle to share with others, words fail easily. Thoughtful quote, Alias.

Oh yes! It can be so draining!

I like this quote. (Though sometimes the performance comes to you. 🙂)

:-)

On minimalism:

The goal is not to have the least amount of things, but the optimal amount of things.

Two important footnotes:

(1) The optimal amount depends on your goals.
(2) The optimal amount is almost always less than you think.

Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones--James Clear

On Reading

Reading is like a software update for your brain.

Whenever you learn a new concept or idea, the "software" improves. You download new features and fix old bugs.

In this way, reading a good book can give you a new way to view your life experiences. Your past is fixed, but your interpretation of it can change depending on the software you use to analyze it.

Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones---James Clear

Since it's January and a new decade, I thought this was a good question to ask ourselves.

1 QUESTION FOR YOU

Am I tolerating my flaws or improving them?

Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones--James Clear

Alias Reader wrote: ""

I love this quote on drama!

Alias Reader wrote: "On minimalism:

The goal is not to have the least amount of things, but the optimal amount of things.

Two important footnotes:

(1) The optimal amount depends on your goals.
(2) The optimal amount..."

I have to read this book. I like to be free of clutter but unfortunately I married a man on the verge of being a hoarder. It is not so much that he hoards because he means to get rid of things but it never happens.

Julie, the book is more about habits, stopping unhelpful ones or creating positive ones.

Two books I always recommend on this topic are:
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones--James Clear
&
The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business-Charles Duhigg

On the topic of decluttering the book I thought was very useful because it addresses the various reasons people have a difficult time getting rid of things and then presents practical ideas for each personality type.
Clutter's Last Stand: It's Time to de-Junk Your Life!--Don Aslett

"Whatever the cost of our libraries, the price is cheap compared to that of an ignorant nation."
~~~ Walter Cronkite

There are so many! I think one of my most influential was this:
"Do what you love, love what you do."

Alias Reader wrote: "On Reading

Reading is like a software update for your brain.

Whenever you learn a new concept or idea, the "software" improves. You download new features and fix old bugs. ..."

Good way of phrasing this to make sense in today’s world. I’m particularly drawn to the “ fix old bugs” part.

The minimalism quote is quite thoughtful now that I’ve considered it. Nice.

Alias Reader wrote: "Since it's January and a new decade, I thought this was a good question to ask ourselves.

1 QUESTION FOR YOU

Am I tolerating my flaws or improving them?..."

Love that question! And you’re correct, Alias, it’s a good way to begin this year.

Great Mandela quote. 🙂

I agree with Barbara.

It’s never been a better time for self-motivated people.

Anyone connected to the internet has the education power of a university and the distribution power of a media company at their fingertips.

Curiosity, courage, and persistence are the new gatekeepers.

~~~ Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones---James Clear

Well written, Alias.

We have said similar about travel, as well. The Internet may be a hassle & full of problems but there is a supportive upside to treasure.

Yes!

“The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man.”
~~~ George Bernard Shaw

Imagine that. What an interesting angle.

Your actions are your real priorities.

~~ Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones-James Clear

Ha! How true!

From the brilliant Ruth Bader Ginsburg:

"Feminism....I think the simplest explanation, and one that captures the idea, is a song that Marlo Thomas sang. 'Free to be You and Me.' Free to be, if you were a girl - a doctor, lawyer, Indian chief. Anything you want to be. And if you're a boy, and you like teaching, you like nursing, you would like to have a doll, that's okay too...."

Barbara wrote: "From the brilliant Ruth Bader Ginsburg:

"Feminism....I think the simplest explanation, and one that captures the idea, is a song that Marlo Thomas sang. 'Free to be You and Me.' Free to be, if you..."

Well said, Notorious R.B.G.

Alias Reader wrote: ""

I tend to react rather than respond. I will have to keep this in mind for the next time.