#83: embracing imperfection
👋 Welcome to the 83rd issue of Out of Curiosity, a weekly newsletter promoting ideas to help get 1% better everyday.
My name is Reza, and every week, I go through nearly 100 pieces of content (from books and podcasts to newsletters and tweets), and bring you the best in this newsletter.
In this issue:
📚 6 strategies that will make you a better reader
🌸 10 Japanese concepts for a balanced life
🎯 The ultimate guide to improve focus
🔑 27 principles for 27 years
📚 6 strategies that will make you a better reader
Stop reading uninteresting books, keep a "commonplace book" for noteworthy quotes and ideas, re-read classic books for evolved understanding, seek book recommendations from admired individuals, learn from history, and overcome reading slumps by revisiting impactful texts.But not all reading is created equal. As Epictetus said, “I cannot call somebody ‘hard-working’ knowing only that they read.” He needed to know what and how they read too.
Far too many good brains have been afflicted by the pointless enthusiasm for useless knowledge.
To be a great reader, it is not enough that you read, it’s also how you read.
→ TED | 2-min read
🌸 10 Japanese concepts for a balanced life
The article presents 10 Japanese concepts for personal growth:
1/ Omoiyari → caring for others
2/ Ikigai → devotion to enjoyable activities
3/ Wabi-sabi → embracing imperfections
4/ Mottainai → gratitude for resources
5/ Shin-Gi-Tai → balance of mind, body, technique
6/ Shu-Ha-Ri → process of learning
7/ Kaizen → continuous improvement
8/ Mono no aware → empathy towards impermanence
9/ Omotenashi → selfless service
10/ Ho-Ren-So → effective communicationWabi-sabi is a concept that encourages us to embrace our imperfections and accept the natural cycle of life.
Everything in life, including us, is in a state of flux. Change is the only constant, everything is transient, and nothing is ever complete. By practicing wabi-sabi, we are taught to be grateful and accepting and strive for excellence rather than perfection.
→ Better Humans | 6-min read
🎯 The ultimate guide to improve focus
In order to concentrate on one thing you must, by default, ignore many other things.
Focus can only occur when we have said yes to one option and no to all other options. In other words, elimination is a prerequisite for focus. As Tim Ferriss says, “What you don’t do determines what you can do.”
Instead of doing the difficult work of choosing one thing to focus on, we often convince ourselves that multitasking is a better option. This is ineffective.
→ James Clear | 12-min read
🔑 27 principles for 27 years
Both in business and life, double down on what works.Take time to understand how you have been programmed.Playing the long game is a superpower.The things that are worthwhile are never easy.Don't latch your identify onto outcomes. They won't last forever.Make time for reflection. It doesn’t happen naturally.
→ Conor Dewey | 2-min read
✨ One last thing…
👋 Until next week,
🗂
#80: more intention, less trying
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Nice compelation.