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  1. The New York Times CompanyOlga Khazan4/6/217 min
    26 reads13 comments
    9.5
    The New York Times Company
    26 reads
    9.5
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    • Kasper2 years ago

      "in one study, putting more effort into homework led students to become more conscientious — a reversal of the popular notion that conscientious students put more effort into their homework." This is an interesting statement, I believe the underlying principle applies to all of our actions and identity, namely that your actions shape your identity and not the other way around. Whatever you do, you will grow to be better at it, wherever you live, you will get to know the place and get roots there. Whatever you give attention and whatever you nurture will live and grow, what you do not will diminish and subside.

      • bill
        Top reader of all time
        2 years ago

        Deep.

        your actions shape your identity and not the other way around.

        I find that it's a give/take push/pull kinda thing. Sometimes I act purely out my true, wild nature. Other times, I do this kind of self-cosplay thing and perform the Bill that I wish was the real Bill and then - bam! - he's real.

        Not sure if that makes sense. Basically, I just think it's gotta be that actions (or "performances," or "behaviors") create identity and also identity dictates actions.

        • thorgalle
          Top reader this weekScoutScribe
          2 years ago

          In which ‘identity shapes actions’ might be a force of predictability and routine, ‘actions shape identity’ a force of experimentation and change. I’d agree, both are there.

    • chrissetiana
      Top reader of all time
      2 years ago

      Changing a trait requires acting in ways that embody that trait, rather than simply thinking about it.

      • bill
        Top reader of all time
        2 years ago

        wait when did this happen:

        leaderboards

        • chrissetiana
          Top reader of all time
          2 years ago

          Probably last week, I was bored out of my wits and was just binge reading stuff 🤣

          • bill
            Top reader of all time
            2 years ago

            haha, nice!!! keep at it 👍👍

            my stats graph looks like steepest, craziest roller coaster of all time. i binge and burnout (don't read anything for several days) ever other week. erratic to say the least, but whenever i read i'm glad i did!

    • EZ19692 years ago

      I really believe this to be true. And it’s affirming that we can shed some of the traits that don’t serve us well. In acting we become.

    • sylvieo2 years ago

      worth the read & reflection for anyone affected by the pandemic -- which is most of everyone.

    • KingTaos2 years ago

      I’m a firm believer in “fake it til ya make it.” It builds muscle memory and confidence.

    • Pegeen
      Top reader this weekReading streakScoutScribe
      2 years ago

      “It unsettled her that her regular life so closely resembled quarantine.” What a great opening statement, one that causes introspection and examination. Perhaps that is the silver lining. I really loved Catherine Steffel’s process of going about her changes due to such incredible loss. I applaud her dedication to recreating herself and new life. That takes courage.

    • Florian2 years ago

      This makes it sound so easy 😅

    • Jessica2 years ago

      “Remember that your personality is more like a sand dune than a stone”—that’s an interesting analogy.