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Welcome to Effective Habits, a weekly newsletter where I share evidence-based strategies and tools to help you live a happy, healthy, and productive life.

Today at a Glance:

• Principles

• Throw Out Your Black Plastic Spatula

• An Open Letter to My Lost Younger Self

Principles
Nabeel S. Qureshi

Lights, Camera, ...
Life’s most valuable lessons often feel impossible to explain—they come wrapped in clichés but hit with undeniable truth when lived. Here’s a quick list of some of the author’s hard-won insights that I resonated with the most.

Action!

1. Once you are ok with people telling you ‘no’, you can ask for whatever you want. (Make reality say no to you instead of assuming.)

2. Environment matters a lot; move to where you flourish maximally. Put yourself in environments where you have to perform to your utmost; if you can get by being average, you probably will. (Greek saying: “A captain only shows during a storm.”)

3. Later, you’ll be nostalgic for right now.

4. Do things fast. Things don’t actually take much time (as measured by a stopwatch); resistance/procrastination does. “Slow is fake”. If no urgency exists, impose some.

5. Pay attention to your production/consumption balance. If you’re only consuming and not producing, fix that. (And vice versa)

6. You are probably too risk-averse. Write out the worst things that can happen, realize they’re not that bad, then take the leap.

7. Form opinions on things and then find the strongest critique of those opinions. Repeat.

8. Be careful about rationalizing something that does not feel right. (Utilitarians, this means you!)

9. Don’t “slow down” as you get older, speed up. Lean into changes, be curious about new things. Most people seem to go the other way.

10. The most valuable feedback usually hurts a lot.

Throw Out Your Black Plastic Spatula
Zoë Schlanger

Lights, Camera, ...
Ditch your black plastic spatula—seriously. Research shows black plastic often contains recycled e-waste, laced with harmful flame retardants that can leach into your food when heated. These chemicals, known endocrine disruptors, are linked to thyroid issues, cancer, and other health risks. Worse, the recycling process mixes toxic compounds back into everyday items like utensils and takeout containers, with no way to tell which black plastics are contaminated. Swap your spatula for silicone, wood, or steel, avoid black plastic lids, and stay mindful—small changes can reduce your exposure to these hidden hazards.

Action!

• Replace all black plastic kitchen utensils with safer alternatives like stainless steel, wood, or silicone to reduce exposure to harmful chemicals. Same goes for other black plastic products like takeaway containers and plastic coffee lids.

An Open Letter to My Lost Younger Self
Sahil Bloom

Lights, Camera, ...
Feeling lost is a common experience shared by people from all walks of life, yet it often feels isolating. The truth is, being "lost" isn’t a permanent state—it’s part of the journey of discovering who you are and where you’re going. Life is a continuous process of learning, uncovering, and becoming. Each challenge, setback, and moment of doubt adds depth to your story. Instead of seeing uncertainty as failure, embrace it as a phase of growth. You're not lost—you’re just in the process of finding your way, and that’s where the magic happens.

Action!

1. Reclaim Your Power Through Action. Start rebuilding your belief in your ability to shape outcomes by creating "micro-proof." Commit to a small, achievable goal—like waking up at 5 a.m. and exercising for 30 minutes daily for 10 days. This simple act reinforces your capability and builds momentum, reminding you that confidence is earned through action.

2. Take Action to Find Clarity. Stop overthinking and start moving. The answers you seek emerge through doing, not planning. Embrace imperfection, take the first step, and adapt as you go. Action reveals paths that planning alone cannot uncover.

3. Focus on Progress, Not Comparison. Instead of comparing yourself to others, track your personal growth trends. Daily habits, routines, and mindsets build momentum over time. Trust in the progress you’re making, even if it’s not immediately visible.

4. Create Value in Every Interaction. Shift your focus from potential to execution. Build a reputation as someone who delivers results, figures things out, and is reliable. Consistent value creation for others attracts opportunities and opens doors to success.

5. Find and Surround Yourself With Challenge-Seekers. Seek out people who inspire you to push boundaries and take on ambitious goals. Challenge-seeking is contagious, so align with those who uplift and motivate you. Be a source of that energy for others, too.

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FUN FACT

A day on Venus lasts longer than a year on Venus. On Venus, one rotation on its axis takes the equivalent of 243 Earth days and the planet's orbit around the Sun takes the equivalent of 225 Earth days.

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this newsletter is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We are not liable for any risks or issues that may arise from using this information.