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I have always believed that the books we find are not accidents. Just like the way I looked back at my old journals and saw that my scribbled dreams had become my current reality, I think the Universe places certain words in our hands exactly when our souls are ready to hear them.
For a long time, I struggled with the idea of "big change." As an introvert and a mother, the idea of transforming my life felt loud and exhausting. I thought I had to be a superhero to make progress. Then I read Atomic Habits by James Clear. It felt less like a business book and more like a permission slip to be small. It aligned perfectly with my dad’s wisdom: something is better than nothing.
Here are the 10 quotes from the book that felt like therapy for my creative heart, along with how I’ve lived them out in my own quiet way.
1. On Systems vs. Goals
"You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems."
This was a huge shift for me. I used to set goals like "I want to earn 100 dollars a day on AdSense." But I couldn't control the goal. I could only control the system. My system is my morning tea, my journal, and my commitment to write even when my little one refuses to nap. When the goal feels too big, I just lean back into my system.
2. On Identity
"Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become."
I love this because it makes every small moment feel sacred. When I sit down to type a post, even if it is just a few sentences, I am casting a vote for myself as a writer. When I choose to be patient during an exhausting parenting moment, I am voting for the mother I want to be. You don't need a landslide victory. You just need a majority of votes.
3. On Small Beginnings
"All big things come from small beginnings. The seed of every habit is a single, tiny decision."
This reminds me of my journaling journey. It started with one page in 2015. At the time, it didn't feel like I was changing my destiny. It just felt like I was moving a pen. But that tiny seed grew into the life I am living now. Never look down on your small starts.
4. On Compounding
"Habits are the compound interest of self-improvement."
In the digital world, we are obsessed with "going viral." But real magic happens in the 1% improvements. It is like my AdSense: the 10-cent days feel insignificant, but they are the interest building on the work I did years ago. Peace and success are built slowly, like a garden, not like a skyscraper.
5. On Environment
"Environment is the invisible hand that shapes human behavior."
As an introvert, my surroundings dictate my energy. If my desk is cluttered, my mind feels like cluttered. I’ve learned to design my world for peace. I keep my journal and my favorite ink where I can see them. I make it easy to do the things that feed my soul.
6. On Focus
"The most effective way to change your habits is to focus not on what you want to achieve, but on who you wish to become."
This is why I don't just write for numbers. I write because I am a person who has something to say. When you focus on the who, the what starts to take care of itself. I want to be a person who is grateful, so I practice the habit of counting little blessings.
7. On the Plateau of Latent Potential
"Complaining about not achieving success despite working hard is like complaining about an ice cube not melting when you heated it from thirty-one to thirty-two degrees."
This quote is for everyone who feels like they are writing into the void. You are not failing. You are storing up energy. The breakthrough is coming, but the work you do while you are "waiting" is what makes the breakthrough possible.
8. On the Two-Minute Rule
"When you start a new habit, it should take less than two minutes to do."
This is the ultimate "something is better than nothing" rule. If I am too tired to blog, I tell myself I will just open the laptop for two minutes. Usually, once the laptop is open, the words start to pour out. If you can't do the big thing, just do the two-minute version.
9. On Casting Votes
"The goal is not to read a book, the goal is to become a reader."
I used to put so much pressure on myself to finish things. Now, I just want to embody the identity. I don't have to be a "perfect" blogger. I just have to be someone who blogs. This takes the weight off my shoulders and allows me to enjoy the unhurried process of creating.
10. On Perseverance
"Missing once is an accident. Missing twice is the start of a new habit."
I have been inconsistent with journaling lately. In the past, I would have judged myself harshly. But James Clear taught me to just "never miss twice." If I miss a day, I don't let the guilt win. I just pick up the pen the next day. God is patient with us, so we should be patient with ourselves too.
If you feel overwhelmed by the "big joys" and "big numbers" the world expects from you, I hope these quotes remind you that it is okay to be small. Your little blessings and your tiny habits are the bricks of your future.
Just like my low-earning days, your small efforts are valid. They are enough.
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