In his book Atomic Habits, author James Clear outlines a systematic method for self-improvement. Rather than __1__ achieving goals, he stresses the importance of small, incremental gains. This is where the concept of “atomic” comes from since atoms are the smallest __2__ of matter known to humankind. Clear argues that by striving for tiny, sustained improvements in any endeavor, success is inevitable.
Clear points out a number of problems that people typically __3__ when setting goals for themselves. One of these is that reaching a goal only accomplishes a momentary change in people. Once the goal is attained, people often __4__ their old bad habits. Take dieting for example. When people reach their target weight, they normally return to their former eating habits and put the weight back on. He also claims that having __5__ goals limits people’s happiness since they are always trying to pursue an end result and not focusing on the moments leading up to that result. Any __6__ along the way, therefore, can be very disheartening.
Instead of being goals-oriented, Clear’s __7__ to improvement emphasizes tiny gains of just 1 percent each day. Such minor improvements are virtually __8__. If you run one kilometer in six minutes, for example, a 1 percent improvement would total less than four seconds. Over time, however, these gains add up to a considerable __9__. Daily improvements of 1 percent over an entire year add up to a total gain of almost 38 percent. That would take your one-kilometer running time down to less than four minutes.
Photo: Tu Chien-jung, Liberty Times I 照片：自由時報塗建榮
Clear argues that this tactic is much more realistic for most people than simply setting a goal of __10__ their running time by over one-third. The same can be said for people trying to lose weight. If this system makes sense to you, you may want to consider picking up a copy of Atomic Habits and learning more today.
(A) long-term (B) reducing (C) units (D) degree
(E) resume (F) encounter (G) setbacks]
(H) unnoticeable (I) highlighting (J) approach
作者詹姆斯克利爾在他的《原子習慣》一書中，概述了一種有系統的自我提升方法。他沒有強調實現目標這件事，而是著重在微小、漸進式增長的重要性。這就是「原子」概念的來源，因為原子是人類已知的最小物質單位。克利爾主張，藉由在任何努力中爭取微小、持續的進步，成功就會是必然的。
克利爾指出，人們在為自己設定目標時通常會遇到的一些問題。其中一個是，達到一個目標只是完成人們的短暫改變。一旦目標實現了，人們往往會重拾舊的壞習慣。以節食為例。當人們達到目標體重時，他們通常就會恢復以前的飲食習慣並復胖。他還聲稱，擁有長期目標會限制人們的幸福感，因為他們總是試圖追求最終結果，而不是專注於導致該結果的時刻。因此，過程中的任何挫敗都可能會令人非常沮喪。
克利爾的進步方法並不是以目標為導向，而是專注於每天僅百分之一的微小增長。這種微小的進步幾乎不會被注意到。舉例來說，如果你在六分鐘內跑完一公里，那麼百分之一的進步總共不到四秒。然而，隨著時間的推移，這些增長加起來就會達到很大的程度。一整年中，每天進步百分之一，最終會進步將近百分之三十八。那將使你一公里的跑步時間縮短為不到四分鐘。
克利爾認為，對於大多數人來說，這種策略比單純設立一個跑步時間減少三分之一以上的目標要務實得多，對於試圖減重的人來說也是如此。如果這個系統對你來說很有道理，你可能會考慮在今天買一本《原子習慣》並多了解一些。
What Did You Learn?
答案：
1. (I) 2. (C) 3. (F) 4. (E)
5. (A) 6. (G) 7. (J) 8. (H)
9. (D) 10. (B)
Words in Use
1. outline vt. 概述
The congressman outlined his vision for the next 10 years.
這位國會議員概述了他對未來十年的願景。
2. systematic a. 有系統的
In an assembly line, everything must be done in a systematic way. 在生產線上，一切都必須以有系統的方式作業。
3. sustained a. 持續的
Higher temperatures brought heavy and sustained rains to this area. 高溫為這個地區帶來連續豪雨。
4. endeavor n. 努力
Despite our best endeavors, we couldn’t get the bill passed.
我們雖然盡了最大的努力，但還是無法讓該法案通過。
5. inevitable a. 必然的，不可避免的
Danny’s loss in the election was inevitable due to the scandal he was involved in.
因為涉及醜聞，丹尼選舉失利是必然的。
Practical Phrases
1. strive for. . . 努力爭取…
As a lawmaker, Helen strives for a world where women are treated equally.
身為立法者，海倫努力爭取一個女性受到平等對待的世界。
2. Take. . . for example / instance
舉∕以…為例
All of Gary’s favorite sports are violent. Take football, for example.
蓋瑞最愛的運動都是激烈型的。美式橄欖球就是一例。
3. lead (up) to. . . 導致…
Numerous problems led (up) to Mandy’s divorce.
數不清的問題導致曼蒂離婚。
聽文章朗讀及講解: https://ivy.pse.is/455bfu
本文出自常春藤解析英語雜誌: www.ivy.com.tw
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