by Natasha Tynes | Jul 9, 2021 | Books
Every once in a while, you find a gem of a book that changes your life. This book for me is
Atomic Habits by James Clear.
This book not only has changed my life but also made me much happier. When I’m happier I’m a better mother, partner, employee, daughter, and friend, and It goes without saying that everyone around you benefits when you are happy.
Atomic Habits has taught me tactics that are making me stick with small habits that will eventually compound creating the impact that I desire. For example, thanks to Clear’s tactics, I’m now exercising every day. How did I force myself to do that? I became aware of why I stopped exercising before, which was that I looking for instant gratification, and not understanding how the math of small changes works.
Clear explains:
“If you can get 1 percent better each day for one year, you will end up thirty-seven times better by the time you are done. Conversely, if you get 1 percent worse each day for one year, you’ll decline nearly down to zero. What starts as a small win or a mere setback accumulates into something much more.”
So now I use this mantra before I find myself trying to avoid exercise, ” 1 percent better every day.”
Another idea he proposes is that we need to forget about goals and focus on systems instead.
He says:
“Goals are about the results try to want to achieve, Systems are about the processes that lead to those results. A handful of problems arise when you spend too much time thinking about your goals and not enough time designing your systems.”
For example, I would keep telling myself I need to create a YouTube channel, but it took me a while to focus on the actual system. What kind of equipment do I need? Where do I shoot the video in my house? What time? What topic?
I should have focused on the system itself, not on the abstract concept. Now I zoned in on the topic, I have purchased the necessary equipment and created a mini studio in one small corner of the house.
The purpose of setting goals is to win the game. The purpose of building systems is to continue playing the game.
Another illuminating idea is that true “behavior change is identity change. ” You might start a habit because of motivation, but the only reason you’ll stick with one is that it becomes part of who you are.”
The goal is not to read a book, the goal is to become a reader.
The goal is not to run a marathon, the goal is to become a runner.
The goal is not to learn an instrument, the goal is to become a musician.
So now, the million-dollar question. How to create a good habit:
He proposes four laws of behavior change:
1- Make it obvious
2- Make it attractive
3- Make it easy.
4- Make it satisfying
To make it obvious: The are two cues. Time and location. Pair a new habit with a current habit. For example, I exercise in the basement at 8:00 am every day.
Make it attractive is by offering yourself a reward, For example. I will check TikTok after I do 5 burpees.
Make it easy: James clear says:
The idea is to make it as easy as possible in the moment to fo things that pay off in the long run. For example, if you want to exercise, set out your workout clothes, the night before. Want to eat healthy? Chop up a ton of fruit and vegetables on weekends and pack them inc continuers.
Make it satisfying: For example, you want to save money by skipping your late, open a bank account and label it for something you like, lets’ say a trip to Hawaii. Every time you skip your morning latte add $5 dollars to your Hawaii saving account.
Finally, one thing that really stuck with me is how to recover quickly when your habits break down.
Clear warns against missing your habits twice.
“Missing once is an accident. Missing twice is the start of a new habit.”
On the few days, I miss exercise, If I have a morning call or if I’m behind on a work project, I keep telling myself, by hook or by crook I will exercise tomorrow. Never miss two days in a row.
I would be definitely reading this book again and again and will be gifting it to many of my friends.
James Clear actually has a free newsletter that you can subscribe to and get useful tips, so I advise you to do that.
by Natasha Tynes | Nov 13, 2018 | Books
I’m so humbled and honored to receive an award at the prestigious F. Scott Literary Festival in Rockville for my short story Ustaz Ali. I was especially happy to be awarded alongside veteran author Richard Russo, who won the Pulitzer Prize for his novel Empire Falls.
by Natasha Tynes | Mar 16, 2010 | Books, Everyday me!
My friend Bassam disagrees with me. He tells me he avoids reading any Arabic publications on planes heading to the US.
“It’s out of respect for their fear,” he tells me. “What’s that supposed to mean? ” I ask.
“Well, you know. I don’t want to make people feel uncomfortable while flying. You know how things are now.” “Come on, you’re not doing anything wrong,” I reply. “You should read the book that you like. It’s your right.”
Of course, we didn’t agree, because very few people agree with me on anything but that’s okay.
Unlike Bassam, I didn’t have any respect for anyone last month and decided to take the Egyptian bestselling novel Azazil (عزازيل) with me on a flight from Amman to DC. The first leg of the flight was from Amman to London. Reading a book that clearly displays “the scary language” was not a worry for me leaving from Amman. ÙAfter all, the plane was filled with Arabic speakers who are used to seeing and reading “the language that should not be named.”
It was a great flight. I had three seats to myself. I kicked back and read for five hours while drinking wine and being served food and snacks. Nothing was expected from me and I felt elated.
The second leg of the flight was when I became nervous and started thinking about my friend Bassam and his no-Arabic-publication on-US flights policy. Do I really need to do this? I mean, I could just watch the in-flight entertainment and save myself all the trouble.
The cover of ‘Azazil’
Of course, as soon as the plane from London to DC took off, I pulled Azazil from my carry-on bag and put it on my lap. I had to get myself in trouble because that’s who I am. The middle-aged, all-American looking woman sitting next to me was reading a book that had the word Afghanistan in its title. A good sign, I told myself.
Somehow, I felt I needed to explain myself before I started reading my scary book. I felt I needed to talk to her to make her feel comfortable as she will be spending the next eight hours of her life in very close proximity to me (you know, United economy can get very cozy) .
To my surprise, she was the one who broke the ice and started the conversation. She started telling me about the book she was reading and how much she was enjoying it. Of course, that was my chance to show her my true colors. I showed her my novel and told her point blank that I was a bit nervous about reading it on the plane.
“Why”? she asked.
“Well you know. It’s in Arabic, and I have been reading lots of stories lately about people being stopped at airports and taken off planes just for carrying Arabic books. You know, some passengers get nervous if they see Arabic script on the plane.”
“Quite honestly, I’m very impressed that you actually can read it,” she said.
This is a very good sign.
A few minutes after our brief conversation, the flight attendant passed by us offering drinks.
“I can’t believe that on US flights they make you pay for alcohol,” I told the woman next to me (whose names I can’t remember now because I’m old). I felt I had to say something to keep the conversation going.
“I know,” she said. “You know what? let get me you a drink.”
” What? No you shouldn’t. Come on. You hardly know me”
“What do you like?”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course!”
“Okay. I will have some red wine.”
Just like that, a total stranger bought me a drink for absolutely no reason. It was such a random act of kindness and a nice welcome home to my newly adopted country, where people are genuine, friendly, and generous. Somehow, I proved my friend Bassam wrong. Not only can you read Arabic on the plane, but some flyers find this impressive and might even buy you a drink or two.
I was hoping that by reading on the plane, I might shatter some people’s stereotypes of Arabic readers, but what happened was the other way around. My own stereotypes of Americans being scared of my native language on a transatlantic flight was deconstructed. There is no reason to fear or hide from who I am. The fact of the matter is I am who I am and it is a great thing. After all, people buy me drinks!
by Natasha Tynes | Jan 28, 2010 | Books
One of the best books I read in a long time is a travel book called “The Geography of Bliss” by Eric Weiner. It is really not your regular travel book, it is one with a twist. The author of this book travels the world looking for the happiest place on earth. This might sound cheesy to some, but trust me, it is far from it. The author is smart, genuine, funny, and extremely witty. He takes you to faraway lands while making you delve into the deepest corner of your soul. He makes you think and reflect. He shocks, and fascinates you. He makes you laugh ad cry. In a nutshell, he makes you happy.
I read this book a few weeks ago on the plane on my way to Kathmandu, and it was a perfect choice for entrainment on that long flight. My favorite chapters are his adventures in Qatar, Moldova and Bhutan.
The conclusion of the book might sound like a cliché to some: Money can buy happiness but not necessarily, happiness is relative, and happiness mostly comes from your family and friends. Some might argue that there is nothing new to this conclusion. I tend to disagree, it is not really the conclusion that matters, it is mostly the journey to get there.
Read this book!
by Natasha Tynes | Jul 3, 2008 | Books, Metro Daze
During my teenage years in Amman in the late 80’s the name Salman Rushdie was the talk of the town. Shortly after the release of his book, Satanic Verses, Rushdie was portrayed in the local media as the devil incarnate and his book was banned in Jordan (and the rest of the Arab world if I’m not mistaken). Since then I have always been intrigued by Rushdie. What prompted him to write this very controversial book, I wondered. How can he lead a normal life after Khomeini issued a fatwa that legitimized his murder? Since then, I’ve followed his news with great interest. I read about the various awards he’s won, his knighthood by the Queen of England and his brief marriage to a supermodel.
So, when I read the news about his appearance in DC I quickly snapped up tickets to see him read from his latest book, The Enchantress of Florence, at an event organized by Politics and Prose. I expected to see a bitter, cantankerous man with nothing to offer but hate speech. I was mistaken. What I saw was a happy, highly likable man with a marvelous sense of humor. He was extremely down to earth and even made jokes that were self-deprecating. I made a quick comment when my turn came for him to sign my book. "You must be tired by now," I said pointing at the crowd of people waiting for his signature. He said no, he was not tired, then pointing to his pen he explained it was an "Olympic pen" that can sign in a very speedy manner.
I was also surprised by the lack of security guards around such a controversial figure. Somehow I thought he would be surrounded by an entourage of bodyguards. I was mistaken.I really did not notice any security personnel. Maybe they were undercover. Who knows!
I have to admit, though, I have never read any of his books. I started reading The Ground Beneath Her Feet and thought it was the best writing I had ever read. Unfortunately, I could not finish it because I had to return the book to my friend before I headed to London to pursue a post-graduate degree. Now, after attending his reading I feel I need to get this book soon.
Another reason I expected Rushdie to be aloof and stone-faced was a book reading (Unaccustomed Earth) by Jhumpa Lahiri that I attended last month. I was surprised by how distant and detached Lahiri seemed during her reading. It must be a writer thing, I thought to myself. Rushdie proved me wrong.
I have to admit that I’m a bit uncomfortable about writing about Rushdie on this blog because I know some readers will be very quick to attack me and accuse me of endorsing his controversial views. However, attending this reading left such an impression on me that I believe it deserves a whole post regardless of the consequences.
by Natasha Tynes | Mar 13, 2008 | Books
I was extremely pleased to learn of the existence of the brand new "International Prize for Arabic Fiction," which this year went to Egyptian author Baha Taher for his book Sunset Oasis. According to Bloomberg, "The $50,000 prize, announced at a ceremony in Abu Dhabi, aims to secure recognition for outstanding Arabic authors and to ensure that their works will be translated."
The list of finalists includes:
- June Rain by Jabbour Douaihy (Lebanon)
- The Land of Purgatory by Elias Farkouh (Jordan)
- In Praise of Hatred by Khaled Khalifa (Syria)
- Walking in the Dust by May Menassa (Lebanon)
- Swan Song by Mekkaoui Said (Egypt)
- Sunset Oasis by Baha Taher (Egypt)
Yes, I’m pleased to see a Jordanian on that list. This is really great news for Arab fiction and it is highly needed. I always enjoy reading Arab fiction. I have enjoyed it still more while here in the US since it is so hard to find. My friends and family have been extremely generous in providing me with the latest in Arab contemporary fiction. For that I’m truly grateful. Now I’d love to get my hands on a copy of Elias Farkouh’s The Land of Purgatory. Can anyone hear me?
Hat tip: [Moorish Girl]
