Are You Measuring Success the Right Way?

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:

• The Inner Scorecard: How Warren Buffett Mastered Life

• Getting Great Sleep is Much Easier Than You Think

• Sort Out Your Life! 100 Tiny Tricks

The Inner Scorecard: How Warren Buffett Mastered Life
Shane Parrish

Lights, Camera, ...
Warren Buffett's "Inner Scorecard" is a simple yet profound idea: Are you living to impress others, or are you measuring success by your own values? Many people chase external validation—money, fame, or status—only to find it unfulfilling. True happiness comes from living by your own standards, where you measure your worth not by others’ praise but by your own sense of integrity and growth. Buffett’s success isn’t just in wealth; it's in staying true to himself, making choices that align with his values even when no one’s watching. Remember, the richest life isn’t about being admired but about being genuinely worthy of (your own) admiration.

Action!

• Start measuring your success by your own values, instead of basing it on an external image. Ask yourself: "Would I rather be wealthy, healthy, etc. while people believe that I’m not, or the reverse?" You can’t directly control what others think of you, but you can control your own choices and self-image. This practice builds an "Inner Scorecard," guiding you toward a more authentic and fulfilling life.

Getting Great Sleep is Much Easier Than You Think
Nir Eyal

Lights, Camera, ...
Getting quality sleep is often simpler than it seems, and you don't need medication or supplements to achieve it. While sleeplessness can feel frustrating, the root cause is frequently linked to worry rather than a biological issue. Many people wake up in the middle of the night and start stressing about their lack of sleep, leading to a cycle of anxiety that makes falling back asleep harder. Research shows that sleep perception varies; you might be getting more rest than you think, even if it feels otherwise. By accepting the sleep you do get and understanding that sleep patterns differ, you can ease anxiety and, ultimately, rest more peacefully.

Action!

1. Track Your Sleep: Use a sleep tracker to monitor your sleep patterns objectively. This can help you realize that your sleep quality might be better than you think, reducing unnecessary worry and allowing you to sleep more soundly. However, don’t become too attached to every day’s sleep score.

   “One study showed that some sleepers experience high brain activity that makes them feel as if they’re awake even though they’re not.”

2. Read a (Boring) Book: Choose a book with a topic that’s mildly interesting but mostly dull, such as philosophy. This redirects your mind from worries and helps you relax, unlike stimulating content on smartphones.

3. Repeat a Sleep Mantra: When you wake up, use a calming mantra like, "The body gets what the body needs if you let it," and take a few deep breaths. This helps shift your mindset away from anxiety about sleeping, making it easier to drift back to sleep.

4. Maintain Consistency: Establish and stick to a consistent, relatively early bedtime. Set a calendar reminder to start winding down an hour before bed, which regulates your body’s internal clock and improves sleep quality. Avoid late-night food, screen time, and distractions.

Sort Out Your Life! 100 Tiny Tricks
Emma Beddington

Lights, Camera, ...
Feeling overwhelmed by life’s chaos? It’s time to sort it all out with some simple tricks to tackle everything from digital clutter to unpaid bills and messy homes! While no one has all the answers, many have discovered small, effective habits that help them regain control. Guardian gathered insights from busy individuals, parents, and experts, revealing their top tips to inspire you to create a more manageable, stress-free life. Below are the 10 (out of 100) that resonated with me the most!

Action!

1. Turn Off Self View on Video Calls. Everyone else can still see you, but you’re less distracted by looking at yourself.

2. Try a Triple List. Every day list three things you must do: one annoying task (eg, post letter), one uncomfortable one (eg, attend gym class) and one painful one (eg, no sugar). Having three of varying discomfort means you’re more likely to do the lesser ones as a way to productively procrastinate on the bigger one.”

3. Manage Subscriptions. If you need something regularly, put it on an automated subscription (e.g. pet food, supplements, contact lenses, etc.). Go through bank statements for any regular payments and cancel subscriptions for things you don’t want or need.

4. Build in Travel Slack. To be punctual, always add ~10% on to the average journey time when factoring when to set off.

5. Do a Passive Wardrobe Audit. At the start of the year, turn all your hangers or folded clothes the wrong way round. By the end of the year, if anything still isn’t facing the right way, get rid of it: if you haven’t worn it for a year, you probably won’t ever.

6. Decide Once. Basically, decide how you want to do something, then stick to it, freeing up your brain for other things. E.g. for gifts - House-warming: bottle of nice olive oil. Child under 11: book. Child over 11: money.

7. Draw Up a Reusable Checklist. Make checklists for reoccurring events such as packing for travel, camping trip, etc. Why try to remember what you need from scratch every time?

8. Minimize Morning Pain. Set out the clothes you’ll wear the next day, pack your workbag, box your lunch, pre-prep breakfast, etc.

9. Say No Quickly. If you have to say no to something (or want to – that’s allowed!), do it immediately. That gives the asker maximum time to find alternatives.

10. Accept You’ll Never Get Your Life Fully Together – and That’s OK. Allow yourself to imagine that you’ll never actually sort your life out. Never fully get on top of your work, never become a really disciplined exerciser or healthy eater - always feel behind with email. It might feel bad initially, but then comes the sense of a heavy burden having been lifted. The pressure’s off. If nothing else, we can all try that.

TOOL TIP

Weava Highlighter: A free online tool that let's you highlight and annotate directly on websites, and save and organize them.

FUN FACT

Blowing out candles on a birthday cake increases the bacteria content on it by up to 1,400 percent.

If you enjoyed today's newsletter, please share it with your friends and family!

If this email was forwarded to you, consider subscribing to receive them in future!

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.