Hey Reader, 🪄

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Before the world came to know her as J.K. Rowling, the author of the best-selling Harry Potter series, Joanne Rowling was juggling the roles of a single mother and a teacher, with her dream of becoming a published author simmering on the back burner. Her life, far from the enchanting world of Hogwarts, was grounded in the reality of daily struggles, including financial constraints that saw her living on state benefits, and the emotional challenges of raising her daughter Jessica alone.

The idea for Harry Potter may have struck like a bolt of lightning during a delayed train journey from Manchester to London in 1990, but the process of bringing the wizarding world to life was slow and fraught with obstacles. Living in Edinburgh, Rowling found solace and escape in writing, often penning her stories in local cafes while her daughter napped beside her. The cafes became her office, the table her desk, as she poured her imagination onto paper, creating a world that would eventually captivate millions.

Yet, what stands out in Rowling's early days as a writer is not just her creativity but her unwavering discipline and perseverance. She didn’t have the luxury of waiting for inspiration to strike; she made writing a priority, squeezing in time between her other duties. This disciplined approach was her magic spell, transforming her from Joanne Rowling, the struggling writer, to J.K. Rowling, the name behind a cultural phenomenon.

💡 Rowling's success story is about the power of resilience and the importance of pursuing one's passion with determination. She managed to achieve her goals not through luck or magic, but through a combination of hard work, discipline, and a refusal to let rejection define her journey. Achieving one's dreams is possible, with a clear vision, a solid plan, and the perseverance to push through obstacles.

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🐉 How NOT to fail your New Year resolution

On that note, many of us start the New Year with high hopes and resolutions (like J.K.Rowling once did), yet find ourselves falling back into old habits. The reason? We lack a system that reminds us of our goals and incentivizes us to pursue them.

Instead of relying on fleeting motivation, consider adopting a practical, daily routine to guide you towards your aspirations:

1. Define Your Identity: Start by asking, "Who do I want to be?" This could be anything from an empathetic listener to a dedicated artist.
2. Formulate Guiding Questions: Create daily questions that align with your identity goal. For example:
   • Did I do my best to stay present in every moment today?
   • How well did I handle criticism without becoming defensive?
   • Did I make an effort to judge less and help more?
3. Implement a Regular Review: Use a recurring reminder to ask yourself these questions once a day. Focus on improving one specific area where you felt you performed the poorest the previous day. Your goal is to never answer “no” on the same question three times in a row.

📚 And if you haven't yet read "Atomic Habits" by James Clear, I can't recommend this book enough. This book offers a blueprint for building a system of habits (through the power of small steps) that leads to achieving our goals, much like the daily dedication J.K. Rowling applied to her writing, turning small, consistent actions into the monumental success of the Harry Potter series.

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💡 Curious Bites

🌃 What's so special about Van Gogh's 'Cafe Terrace at Night'? What if it's not just "Cafe Terrace at Night"? There is a version that Van Gogh hid the main meaning of the painting, but left some hints. Tell me more

💄 Why was Elizabeth I's makeup fatal for her? At the age of 29, the ruler began using makeup to hide the deep scars and blemishes on her face after smallpox. Every year the queen applied more and more layers of makeup... Learn more

✍️ Quote of the week

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Stay curious and happy Lunar New Year! 🐉

Artem & Curious Muse team

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