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Quotes about Priorities

    “Your actions reveal how badly you want something.  If you keep saying something is a priority but you never act on it, then you don’t really want it.  It’s time to have an honest conversation with yourself.  Your actions reveal your true motivations.” ~ James Clear, Atomic Habits

      “We focus on working long hours instead of getting meaningful work done.  We care more about getting ten thousand steps than we do about being healthy.  We teach for standardized tests instead of emphasizing learning, curiosity, and critical thinking.  In short, we optimize for what we measure.  When we choose the wrong measurement, we get the wrong behavior.” ~ James Clear, Atomic Habits

        “The brain’s tendency to prioritize the present moment means you can’t rely on good intentions.  When you make a plan—to lose weight, write a book, or learn a language—you are actually making plans for your future self.  And when you envision what you want your life to be like, it is easy to see the value in taking actions with long-term benefits.  We all want better lives for our future selves.  However, when the moment of decision arrives, instant gratification usually wins.  You are no longer making a choice for Future You, who dreams of being fitter or wealthier or happier.  You are choosing for Present You, who wants to be full, pampered, and entertained.  As a general rule, the more immediate pleasure you get from an action, the more strongly you should question whether it aligns with your long-term goals.” ~ James Clear, Atomic Habits

          “Why avoid TV news?  The thing is, most people are addicted to a constant flood of what is passed off as news but is mostly just superfluous nonsense about celebrities, politicians, and minor events.  Additionally, because of the ‘scare factor’ necessary for keeping eyes glued to the screen (which in turn attracts advertisers and income), TV news is notoriously negative and will have a big impact on your subconscious over time—as with any high-functioning computer, the output of your mind is shaped by what you put into it.” ~ Mark Divine, The Way of the Seal

            “News is to the mind what sugar is to the body. News is easy to digest. The media feeds us small bites of trivial matter, tidbits that don’t really concern our lives and don’t require thinking. That’s why we experience almost no saturation. Unlike reading books and long magazine articles (which require thinking), we can swallow limitless quantities of news flashes, which are bright-coloured candies for the mind.” ~ Rolf Dobelli, via James Clear Blog