16/01/2024
"You have not crossed the Plateau of Latent Potential" - Atomic Habits, James Clear
Such a powerful statement! In James's book, he talks about improving ourselves, a team, a project, etc, by 1% a day. This 1% has a compounding effect, and we do not see much difference when we start. The results seem to come out of nowhere later.
How many times have I started something not to see "progress" and throw it in? How often did I start going to the gym to not get immediate results and give in too easily? How many times have you started something to feel like you're making no progress and throw it in?
When we first start making a change, habit, new skill, or project, our 1% daily improvements are not noticeable. In my opinion, this is the hardest part: making a start and seeing very little change or improvement. The result-lacking start is what James calls the Plateau of Latent Potential. To enjoy the benefits of our labour, we want to choose to stick at our task long enough to get across the Plateau of Latent Potential ( I really like that name! )
"Simplicity on the Far Side of Complexity" - I don't know who touted this. Still, in my mind map, the simplicity on the far side of complexity is the compounding power of 1% improvements when we've persisted at something long enough to get across the Plateau of Latent Potential.
Stick at it and don't give up!
I am looking forward to learning more from the book! ❤️