I completely agree with the compounding effect Richard. I used to run only on a Saturday morning at Skipton parkrun (or wherever I was house and dog sitting). However, in an effort to try to improve my running times, I set myself a challenge of running 5k every day for 30 days each under 30 minutes - I called it 30 in 30 under 30. My first run was 29 minutes, and my last one (which was yesterday) was 25 minutes 23 seconds - so it shows that persistence does produce positive results, and I’m pleased with my progress 🙂
Oh I love your applications of this Andrew- your 30 in 30 under 30 is a heck of a challenge- a great effort. HWPO (hard work pays off😉). Have a good one. R
Hi Richard. Another really interesting book review, thank you. There is some great advice there. The only thing I am not convinced about is the compounding effect. It ignores the concept of diminishing returns. Drinking an extra glass of water everyday can definitely have a positive effect on our health if we do it consistently but that change is not going to give limitless benefits. It will have a finite impact surely? Let’s say I decide to jog one mile everyday. Initially I will see big improvements in cardiovascular endurance and speed but these improvements will peter out over time. The habit will definitely have improved my health but it will have done so by a finite amount I would respectfully suggest. Please don’t take as a criticism. I enjoy discussing these types of concepts.
Hi Cliff- great observation and very true in the examples you have given. The running the mile is particularly interesting as you will in effect get to your optimum performance eventually. I guess what Mr Clear was looking at was the compound effect of multiple changes over a period of time, rather than just one change in isolation. If the premise is we look to make our lives 1% better on a daily basis by a range of changes, the compound effect will be more than the sum of the 1%'s. To evolve, and to continually improve, we need to keep looking for the next incremental improvement...but we are getting into the realms of Team Sky and Cycling GB on marginal gains now😂 Have a good one. 👍 R
Thanks Clare- glad that you enjoyed Die with Zero- it's a belter! This one is a bit deeper to navigate- but it keeps pulling me in to read it again and again. Have a good one. 👍 R
Compounding effect probably applies more to weight gain loss, eating extra biscuit a day makes gain weight feel sluggish and more tired causing you to crave biscuits more vs doing extra 100 steps losing weight making more steps easier. Another one is feeling happy causing you to smile and be more positive gains you more contacts and positive feedback making happier.
Thanks for this Rom- love the happiness link- I am a firm believer that happiness is contagious and we all have a role to play in spreading it. Have a good one. 👍 R
Ohhhh Crisps...they are sent to temp us😂😂😂 Thanks for the comment Russ. One step at a time and everything tends to work out (that's what I keep telling myself on a daily basis😉) Have a good one. 👍 R
Ohhh you are going to love 4000 weeks! If I plough through all my fictional reading on my kindle whilst away in Europe, I have it as a back-up to read again. BTW- if you search some of Oliver's podcasts that he has done with other podcast hosts- he is even better in discussion format👍 R
Just wanted to say how impactful I have found your approach to life, positivity, gratitude and atomic habits. I’ve followed you and Jackie for about a year and love what you guys do. Thanks for helping me with my own challenges and life goals, and for sharing all your learning and experiences. Ian
Wow, thank you! It is really nice to hear that what we do resonates with some people. We really enjoy what we are doing now and how our lives have changed after the past 2 years. Hope your life continues to grow in a positive way and you enjoy and achieve the challenges you set yourself. Richard and Jackie
I’m sorry but this sounds like you’ve simply turned all your teaching skills and need to teach and coach inwards on yourself…. this isn’t retirement it’s displacement ‘work’. Gestalt psychology has different approach- simply trying ‘being’ yourself. You don’t need to ‘improve’ anything simply try ‘being’….and see where that takes you. You’re imposing on and not exploring self. It’s a kind of battle between your cognitive self and true self.
This is an interesting point of view that got my attention! In simplistic terms, does wanting to improve yourself imply dissatisfaction with yourself or even unhappiness? I don’t know. But if someone’s life can be made happier by implementing good habits (eating less biscuits because you know eating them makes you tired!) then it becomes a sensible thing to do. I think the acceptance of self versus self improvement is a fascinating debate. Thanks for the video Richard. I have this book, on your recommendation from a previous video 👍🏻
@@DeansGoTravelling the fully realised integrated self doesn’t have the element of a kind of battle between what we think we ‘ought’ to be a kind of idealised self and then trying to force this version onto our bodies or minds… in Gestalt psychology/therapy I’d be exploring what underlying ‘need’ the biscuit seeking/eating is assuaging and what the non biscuit eating ‘idealised’ self is trying to achieve.
Thanks for these observations Bonny- always appreciated. I love a bit of psychology as you can probably tell, and I love exploring ideas and seeing if they help me along the way in life. I love learning new things and now that I am retired I find that I have even more time to do this...which brings me great joy and fulfilment, so I am happy with that. Have a good one👍 R
I think I agree with Bonny. It seems to me that you are using the book's ideas as a straight jacket on how to live your life. .Life is for living and I think you ought to follow your own inclinations rather than someone else's.
Come as you are and stay as you will. As much as these self help books and TH-cam videos (Ali Abdaal et al?) help some people they can also have a negative to many others. Not unlike the countless fitness influencers with seemingly "perfect" bodies and health (non)experts telling you "do this to fix (insert any ailment or injury) this". They're all salespeople selling something.. Perhaps I'm an odd ball but I can motivate myself. I left school with few qualifications at 16 straight into a trade apprenticeship for four years. Finished that did something completely different for the next 7 or so years and essentially retired at 30. I'm 54. When I wanted to run a marathon distance I didn't apply to an organised race I just set a route and did it. I didn't need a medal. Every now and then I do things to get out of my comfort zone and I do believe in selp improvement both mentally and physically.
Richard I should have had a math teacher like you in high school! I would have saved my parents a lot of grief and tutorial fees to get me through the torture of calculus and the rest of it! I have this book and always intend to read it but now I am ready following your very clear and practical review. Thank you!
Fantastic review Richard and very easy to understand. Like your teaching style, down to earth and simple. I have the book already and one of my new habits is to use my fitness step block each day. I started today using it whilst watching your video and going forward I will now add this habit to all the you tube videos I watch. I lost count how many steps I did whilst watching your review! 😊
Hi Anne- thanks for the lovely comment. FYI rather than disappearing down the TH-cam rabbit hole, I now try to stretch when watching any TH-cam very similar to yourself...and it works! Apologies for your excessive step count...I tend to bang on a bit 😂😂😂 Have a good one👍 R
Excellent review, Richard. It’s on my favorite books list. I used this principle to create a lifestyle of intermittent fasting. It is also a great example of the principle of permanent education.
Thanks for this Nico- I love a bit of relaxed intermittent fasting- it has really helped my gut health and given me more energy. Glad that you enjoyed the review👍 R.
What's not to love about maths? It is a really divided opinion, but it has brought me great joy in my life...unlike the English exams I had to face at school😂 Thanks for the comment. 👍 R
Thanks Richard and it is a great book and was in my 6 favourite books to take in the van when we sold up. I refer to it often especially since my routine has suffered recently.
I completely agree with the compounding effect Richard. I used to run only on a Saturday morning at Skipton parkrun (or wherever I was house and dog sitting). However, in an effort to try to improve my running times, I set myself a challenge of running 5k every day for 30 days each under 30 minutes - I called it 30 in 30 under 30. My first run was 29 minutes, and my last one (which was yesterday) was 25 minutes 23 seconds - so it shows that persistence does produce positive results, and I’m pleased with my progress 🙂
Oh I love your applications of this Andrew- your 30 in 30 under 30 is a heck of a challenge- a great effort. HWPO (hard work pays off😉).
Have a good one. R
Hi Richard. Another really interesting book review, thank you. There is some great advice there. The only thing I am not convinced about is the compounding effect. It ignores the concept of diminishing returns. Drinking an extra glass of water everyday can definitely have a positive effect on our health if we do it consistently but that change is not going to give limitless benefits. It will have a finite impact surely? Let’s say I decide to jog one mile everyday. Initially I will see big improvements in cardiovascular endurance and speed but these improvements will peter out over time. The habit will definitely have improved my health but it will have done so by a finite amount I would respectfully suggest. Please don’t take as a criticism. I enjoy discussing these types of concepts.
Hi Cliff- great observation and very true in the examples you have given. The running the mile is particularly interesting as you will in effect get to your optimum performance eventually.
I guess what Mr Clear was looking at was the compound effect of multiple changes over a period of time, rather than just one change in isolation. If the premise is we look to make our lives 1% better on a daily basis by a range of changes, the compound effect will be more than the sum of the 1%'s.
To evolve, and to continually improve, we need to keep looking for the next incremental improvement...but we are getting into the realms of Team Sky and Cycling GB on marginal gains now😂
Have a good one. 👍 R
What I took from that book was to make it hard not to bo the things u want to do. So that the good habit is the easiest option for you.
Like no biscuits or crisps in the cupboard😂 It just takes the will power element away from the whole thing.
Thanks for the comment Diana. 👍 R
I've heard so many good things about this book that I need to get a copy. Thanks for the great review.
Thanks Tina- it's one you will keep going back to. 👍
Great review Richard! Thanks for sharing. I already read die with zero, found that a real eye-opener. I’m off to get this book. 😀
Thanks Clare- glad that you enjoyed Die with Zero- it's a belter! This one is a bit deeper to navigate- but it keeps pulling me in to read it again and again.
Have a good one. 👍 R
Compounding effect probably applies more to weight gain loss, eating extra biscuit a day makes gain weight feel sluggish and more tired causing you to crave biscuits more vs doing extra 100 steps losing weight making more steps easier. Another one is feeling happy causing you to smile and be more positive gains you more contacts and positive feedback making happier.
Thanks for this Rom- love the happiness link- I am a firm believer that happiness is contagious and we all have a role to play in spreading it.
Have a good one. 👍 R
Very interesting vlog, I'm in my late 60's and still trying to sort life out 😂 with you on the crisps though 👍
Ohhhh Crisps...they are sent to temp us😂😂😂
Thanks for the comment Russ. One step at a time and everything tends to work out (that's what I keep telling myself on a daily basis😉)
Have a good one. 👍 R
Great review. I’ve just started reading 4000 weeks as a result of your comments. X
Ohhh you are going to love 4000 weeks! If I plough through all my fictional reading on my kindle whilst away in Europe, I have it as a back-up to read again. BTW- if you search some of Oliver's podcasts that he has done with other podcast hosts- he is even better in discussion format👍 R
Thank you very much for that. I’ll have a listen. I have to keep stopping to really take in what I’ve just read! X
Just wanted to say how impactful I have found your approach to life, positivity, gratitude and atomic habits. I’ve followed you and Jackie for about a year and love what you guys do. Thanks for helping me with my own challenges and life goals, and for sharing all your learning and experiences.
Ian
Wow, thank you! It is really nice to hear that what we do resonates with some people. We really enjoy what we are doing now and how our lives have changed after the past 2 years. Hope your life continues to grow in a positive way and you enjoy and achieve the challenges you set yourself.
Richard and Jackie
I’m sorry but this sounds like you’ve simply turned all your teaching skills and need to teach and coach inwards on yourself…. this isn’t retirement it’s displacement ‘work’. Gestalt psychology has different approach- simply trying ‘being’ yourself. You don’t need to ‘improve’ anything simply try ‘being’….and see where that takes you. You’re imposing on and not exploring self. It’s a kind of battle between your cognitive self and true self.
This is an interesting point of view that got my attention! In simplistic terms, does wanting to improve yourself imply dissatisfaction with yourself or even unhappiness? I don’t know. But if someone’s life can be made happier by implementing good habits (eating less biscuits because you know eating them makes you tired!) then it becomes a sensible thing to do. I think the acceptance of self versus self improvement is a fascinating debate. Thanks for the video Richard. I have this book, on your recommendation from a previous video 👍🏻
@@DeansGoTravelling the fully realised integrated self doesn’t have the element of a kind of battle between what we think we ‘ought’ to be a kind of idealised self and then trying to force this version onto our bodies or minds… in Gestalt psychology/therapy I’d be exploring what underlying ‘need’ the biscuit seeking/eating is assuaging and what the non biscuit eating ‘idealised’ self is trying to achieve.
Thanks for these observations Bonny- always appreciated. I love a bit of psychology as you can probably tell, and I love exploring ideas and seeing if they help me along the way in life. I love learning new things and now that I am retired I find that I have even more time to do this...which brings me great joy and fulfilment, so I am happy with that.
Have a good one👍 R
I think I agree with Bonny. It seems to me that you are using the book's ideas as a straight jacket on how to live your life. .Life is for living and I think you ought to follow your own inclinations rather than someone else's.
Come as you are and stay as you will. As much as these self help books and TH-cam videos (Ali Abdaal et al?) help some people they can also have a negative to many others. Not unlike the countless fitness influencers with seemingly "perfect" bodies and health (non)experts telling you "do this to fix (insert any ailment or injury) this". They're all salespeople selling something.. Perhaps I'm an odd ball but I can motivate myself. I left school with few qualifications at 16 straight into a trade apprenticeship for four years. Finished that did something completely different for the next 7 or so years and essentially retired at 30. I'm 54. When I wanted to run a marathon distance I didn't apply to an organised race I just set a route and did it. I didn't need a medal. Every now and then I do things to get out of my comfort zone and I do believe in selp improvement both mentally and physically.
Brilliant review Richard and really practical examples. Great book 📖 👍🏻
Thanks Dominic- glad that you love the book. It has been a game changer for me for a number of years.👍 R
Richard I should have had a math teacher like you in high school! I would have saved my parents a lot of grief and tutorial fees to get me through the torture of calculus and the rest of it! I have this book and always intend to read it but now I am ready following your very clear and practical review. Thank you!
What's not to love about Maths Sharon???😂
Hope you enjoy the book and thanks for the comment👍 R
Good evening just ordered the book looking forward to trying it out. Many thanks for your contents. Kind regards. Guto
You are quite welcome Guto- thanks for dropping a comment👍 R
Fantastic review Richard and very easy to understand. Like your teaching style, down to earth and simple. I have the book already and one of my new habits is to use my fitness step block each day. I started today using it whilst watching your video and going forward I will now add this habit to all the you tube videos I watch. I lost count how many steps I did whilst watching your review! 😊
Hi Anne- thanks for the lovely comment. FYI rather than disappearing down the TH-cam rabbit hole, I now try to stretch when watching any TH-cam very similar to yourself...and it works!
Apologies for your excessive step count...I tend to bang on a bit 😂😂😂
Have a good one👍 R
Excellent review, Richard. It’s on my favorite books list. I used this principle to create a lifestyle of intermittent fasting. It is also a great example of the principle of permanent education.
Thanks for this Nico- I love a bit of relaxed intermittent fasting- it has really helped my gut health and given me more energy. Glad that you enjoyed the review👍 R.
Really enjoying your reviews - my son has this book so I am going to borrow and read now!
It's a good read👍 Your son is clearly a reader of good taste😉
Thanks for the comment. R
I wish you had been my maths teacher! But that aside, this was an enjoyable watch, thank you.
What's not to love about maths? It is a really divided opinion, but it has brought me great joy in my life...unlike the English exams I had to face at school😂
Thanks for the comment. 👍 R
Thanks Richard and it is a great book and was in my 6 favourite books to take in the van when we sold up. I refer to it often especially since my routine has suffered recently.
Glad to hear it David. Hope you are keeping well? R
@@earlyretirementwanderlust all good and busy campsite this weekend
I read that book quite a while ago so that was a good reminder 😊
Glad that you found it of use Rebecca.
Thanks for the comment👍 R