Ice, ice and barbecues baby
Habits are the compound interest of self-improvement.
So says James Clear.
In his book Atomic Habits he describes what progress is really like by comparing it to an ice cube melting.
It sits in a room at 25 degrees, while the temperature gradually rises. But nothing happens... until the room reaches 32 degrees. It’s just a one-degree shift, but it’s a breakthrough moment, when finally, the ice begins to melt.
In a similar way, there might well be nothing to see for all that hard work put into a new habit, until one moment when everything changes.
This is why it’s so hard to build them. Running three days in a row won’t change your shape, studying French for an hour won’t make you bilingual, saving a little money today won’t make you rich.
These things aren't linear.
In order to make a difference, persistence is key. You have to work until you break through this plateau, which Clear calls the Plateau of Latent Potential.
The good news is, up until that point, your work isn’t wasted, it’s just being stored. It’s just that it’s not clear how long until.
What is certain however, is that what helps good habits stick isn’t necessarily about having the goal in mind, but a robust plan.
Simple Hack
Loom is an excellent tool for quickly and conveniently recording your screen. It works perfectly for answering client questions, or for when you want to send information ahead of a meeting. And it's free.
Hook of the week
How much will you send in retirement? Jon Elkins of Smarter Financial Planning shared this infogram from Which? with clients last month to get them thinking.
Going live!
Yippee! In-person events are back and what better way to kick off than with The Verve Group’s Evolution Annual Summit and Awards, which is being held in London on 1 September? Book here.
Top tech
The Traeger Ironwood 650 barbecue is wifi connected so the temperature can be controlled from an app on your phone. There’s even an electronic probe that pings your phone if your sausages are about to burn.
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