#atom

Daily micro-actions system for values-based productivity

Core Idea: By selecting just three small, achievable actions each day that align with your core values across health, work, and relationships, you transform abstract long-term goals into immediate, manageable steps.

Key Elements

• Structure:

  1. Review your 12-month celebration or values document at the start of each day
  2. Choose one action from each of three major life categories:
     • Health (body, mind, soul)
     • Work (mission, money, growth)
     • Relationships (family, romance, friends)
  3. Make each action specific, time-bound, and achievable within the day
  4. Track completion and effects on sense of alignment

• Psychological foundations:

  • Builds on research showing proximal (nearby) goals improve performance and motivation
  • Reduces overwhelm by breaking large goals into manageable steps
  • Creates daily connection to values through concrete actions
  • Provides structure without excessive rigidity

• Implementation examples:

  • Health: "Gym session 15:30-16:30" or "15-minute walk during lunch break"
  • Work: "Complete project proposal draft" or "Study for exam one extra hour"
  • Relationships: "Call grandmother" or "Have coffee with Katherine"

• Best practices:

  • Keep quests small and achievable
  • Be specific about timing
  • Review chosen quests throughout the day
  • Note completion and effects on wellbeing
  • Maintain flexibility when needed

Connections

• Related Concepts: The 12-Month Celebration (quests are daily steps toward celebration goals), Misalignment Burnout (quests prevent by increasing daily alignment)
• Broader Context: Habit Formation (creates consistent action patterns)
• Applications: Alignment Experiments (quests can serve as alignment experiments)

References

1. Abdaal, A. (2023). Feel Good Productivity.

#daily_habits #incremental_progress #alignment #productivity

Connections:

Sources:

• From: Abdaal-Feel-good Productivity