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The 3 Alarms: A Simple System to Transform Your Health, Wealth, and Relationships Forever
We were all made for greatness. But so many of us end up chasing the wrong thing in life. We focus on work over family, and success over significance. And when our lives come to an end, we are filled with regret.
What if the secret to living a meaningful and fulfilled life wasn’t as hard as it sounds?
What if you didn’t have to sacrifice success to be present to your loved ones?
What if you didn’t have to sacrifice your health to achieve success?
What if focusing on a few key areas changed everything?
And what if change was as simple as setting an alarm?
Eric Partaker’s story will challenge you to remember what’s most important and start living a life that truly matters.
Are you ready to set your three alarms and wake up to the challenge of living life fully alive?
What if the secret to living a meaningful and fulfilled life wasn’t as hard as it sounds?
What if you didn’t have to sacrifice success to be present to your loved ones?
What if you didn’t have to sacrifice your health to achieve success?
What if focusing on a few key areas changed everything?
And what if change was as simple as setting an alarm?
Eric Partaker’s story will challenge you to remember what’s most important and start living a life that truly matters.
Are you ready to set your three alarms and wake up to the challenge of living life fully alive?
144 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 2, 2020
About the author
Eric Partaker
3 books8 followersEric Partaker is an entrepreneur, author, and CEO Coach who helps CEOs scale themselves and their companies. He has been named "CEO of the Year" at the 2019 Business Excellence Forum, one of the "Top 30 Entrepreneurs in the UK", 35 and under, by Startups Magazine, and among "Britain's Most Disruptive Entrepreneurs" by The Telegraph.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
March 9, 2023
If you're looking for a book that's a carbon copy of Atomic Habits, but with a few extra anecdotes thrown in, then this is the book for you. It's like reading a transcript of that one friend who's always productive, and who swears by every self-help book that comes out. The author does offer some interesting tips, but mostly they're just regurgitating what they've learned from other sources.
The book is peppered with references to other authors, which makes it seem like the author is just trying to pad out their own ideas. And while the writing style is decent, there's no real substance to the arguments presented. It's just the author's personal experience, without any real evidence to back it up.
To be fair, the book might be useful for some people who are just starting out on their self-improvement journey. But if you're already familiar with Atomic Habits or other similar books, you might find this one a bit of a snooze. And the fact that there's no index just shows that the author doesn't really care about the book's content.
The book is peppered with references to other authors, which makes it seem like the author is just trying to pad out their own ideas. And while the writing style is decent, there's no real substance to the arguments presented. It's just the author's personal experience, without any real evidence to back it up.
To be fair, the book might be useful for some people who are just starting out on their self-improvement journey. But if you're already familiar with Atomic Habits or other similar books, you might find this one a bit of a snooze. And the fact that there's no index just shows that the author doesn't really care about the book's content.
March 29, 2021
If you have all three drivers, this is for you
The only flaw in this book (much like every other success book in its realm) is that if you don't want or need the same things in the book, it isn't for you. I have no family and no health goals because of having no attachments, so 2/3rd of the book does not apply to me.
The book is filled with quotes from other authors and open examples that don't make me feel sympathy as much as make me see how much influence is trying to be applied in this situation without much else behind it such as studies and the like.
Book is "I nearly died, here is what I did after I nearly died, 3 personalities inside me, quote, rinse and repeat."
The only flaw in this book (much like every other success book in its realm) is that if you don't want or need the same things in the book, it isn't for you. I have no family and no health goals because of having no attachments, so 2/3rd of the book does not apply to me.
The book is filled with quotes from other authors and open examples that don't make me feel sympathy as much as make me see how much influence is trying to be applied in this situation without much else behind it such as studies and the like.
Book is "I nearly died, here is what I did after I nearly died, 3 personalities inside me, quote, rinse and repeat."
March 27, 2023
Interesting read. A nice concept of setting 3 alarms just to remind you what your intentions are with your life. One particular takeaway from this book is that don't worry about the time you wasted or who you had been, you can always get better.
February 5, 2023
The Author talks about how he developed a system after facing health issue ,to progress in health,wealth and relationship by setting a 3 alarm method by giving identity to each domain.
October 25, 2022
This short book is built around the simple premise that you can bring your best self to your significant stewardships through intentional daily reminders. In a nutshell, he encourages people to set alarms to remind yourself of the primary stewardship in view for the upcoming chunk of time - i.e. 6:30 AM for health, 8:00 AM for work, and 5:30 PM for family. This isn't written from a faith perspective and feels a bit pep-talky, but I found the general premise helpful. It didn't feel sub-Christian to me. I also appreciated that he placed an emphasis on thinking intentionally about and prioritizing your health and family, two areas often neglected by the productivity literature but deserving of more attention.
March 18, 2023
The 3 Alarms System: The book's core concept revolves around setting three daily alarms to trigger specific identity shifts throughout the day. These alarms help you transition between your roles and help enhance the following quailties.
1 Prioritization: To enhance mental performance, learn to prioritize tasks effectively. Identify the most important tasks for each of your roles and focus on accomplishing them before moving on to less critical tasks.
2 Identity Shaping: Partaker emphasizes the importance of shaping your identity to become the person you want to be. By associating specific roles and behaviors with each alarm, you reinforce these identities, making adopting new habits and mental patterns easier.
3 Time Management: The 3 Alarms system encourages better time management by dividing your day into dedicated segments. By allocating specific times for each of your roles, you can create a more structured routine and improve mental performance.
4 Consistency: Achieving lasting improvement in mental performance requires consistent effort. The 3 Alarms system fosters consistency by prompting daily reminders of your desired identity shifts and associated behaviors.
# Examples:
Alarm 1 (Personal Growth) - 5:30 AM: Label this alarm "Lifelong Learner." Upon waking up, spend 30 minutes reading, journaling, or meditating to invest in your personal development.
Alarm 2 (Career) - 8:30 AM: Label this alarm "Top Performer." During your work hours, concentrate on high-impact tasks, collaborate with colleagues, and seek opportunities for growth.
Alarm 3 (Social Life) - 7:00 PM: Label this alarm "Supportive Friend." Use this time to connect with friends, attend social events, or participate in community activities.
I also find his commend on reflection and review process to be quite useful.
Reflection and Review: Regularly evaluate your progress and make adjustments as needed. Reflect on your successes and challenges to identify areas for improvement and reinforce your commitment to your goals.
Schedule regular reviews:
Choose a specific day and time each week for your review, such as Sunday evening at 6 pm. Put a recurring reminder in your calendar to ensure you stay consistent.
Assess progress:
During each review session, assess your progress on each of your goals. For example:
Health: Did you exercise regularly, eat healthily, and get enough sleep this week?
Work productivity: Did you complete your priority tasks, minimize distractions, and maintain focus?
Relationships: Did you spend quality time with loved ones, communicate effectively, and show appreciation?
Reflect on your experiences:
Think about what worked well, what didn't, and what you could do differently. For example, if you struggled to exercise consistently, consider whether you need to adjust your workout schedule or find an activity you enjoy more.
Set new goals:
Based on your review, identify any new goals or milestones you want to work toward. For instance, if you've successfully improved your sleep habits, you might set a new goal to try meditation to further enhance your mental wellbeing.
Adjust your alarms:
Update your alarms as needed to align with your new goals. For example, if you've decided to start meditating, you might set a new alarm with the label "Meditation Master" to remind you to meditate each morning.
Seek feedback:
Ask people in your life for feedback on your progress. For example, ask your partner if they've noticed improvements in your communication, or ask a coworker if they've observed a change in your productivity.
Celebrate successes:
Acknowledge your wins, no matter how small. For example, if you consistently ate healthily throughout the week, celebrate by treating yourself to a small reward or sharing your accomplishment with a friend.
Emotional Resilience: Cultivate emotional resilience by embracing challenges and learning from failures. This will help you bounce back quickly from setbacks and maintain a growth mindset, essential for improving mental performance.
1 Prioritization: To enhance mental performance, learn to prioritize tasks effectively. Identify the most important tasks for each of your roles and focus on accomplishing them before moving on to less critical tasks.
2 Identity Shaping: Partaker emphasizes the importance of shaping your identity to become the person you want to be. By associating specific roles and behaviors with each alarm, you reinforce these identities, making adopting new habits and mental patterns easier.
3 Time Management: The 3 Alarms system encourages better time management by dividing your day into dedicated segments. By allocating specific times for each of your roles, you can create a more structured routine and improve mental performance.
4 Consistency: Achieving lasting improvement in mental performance requires consistent effort. The 3 Alarms system fosters consistency by prompting daily reminders of your desired identity shifts and associated behaviors.
# Examples:
Alarm 1 (Personal Growth) - 5:30 AM: Label this alarm "Lifelong Learner." Upon waking up, spend 30 minutes reading, journaling, or meditating to invest in your personal development.
Alarm 2 (Career) - 8:30 AM: Label this alarm "Top Performer." During your work hours, concentrate on high-impact tasks, collaborate with colleagues, and seek opportunities for growth.
Alarm 3 (Social Life) - 7:00 PM: Label this alarm "Supportive Friend." Use this time to connect with friends, attend social events, or participate in community activities.
I also find his commend on reflection and review process to be quite useful.
Reflection and Review: Regularly evaluate your progress and make adjustments as needed. Reflect on your successes and challenges to identify areas for improvement and reinforce your commitment to your goals.
Schedule regular reviews:
Choose a specific day and time each week for your review, such as Sunday evening at 6 pm. Put a recurring reminder in your calendar to ensure you stay consistent.
Assess progress:
During each review session, assess your progress on each of your goals. For example:
Health: Did you exercise regularly, eat healthily, and get enough sleep this week?
Work productivity: Did you complete your priority tasks, minimize distractions, and maintain focus?
Relationships: Did you spend quality time with loved ones, communicate effectively, and show appreciation?
Reflect on your experiences:
Think about what worked well, what didn't, and what you could do differently. For example, if you struggled to exercise consistently, consider whether you need to adjust your workout schedule or find an activity you enjoy more.
Set new goals:
Based on your review, identify any new goals or milestones you want to work toward. For instance, if you've successfully improved your sleep habits, you might set a new goal to try meditation to further enhance your mental wellbeing.
Adjust your alarms:
Update your alarms as needed to align with your new goals. For example, if you've decided to start meditating, you might set a new alarm with the label "Meditation Master" to remind you to meditate each morning.
Seek feedback:
Ask people in your life for feedback on your progress. For example, ask your partner if they've noticed improvements in your communication, or ask a coworker if they've observed a change in your productivity.
Celebrate successes:
Acknowledge your wins, no matter how small. For example, if you consistently ate healthily throughout the week, celebrate by treating yourself to a small reward or sharing your accomplishment with a friend.
Emotional Resilience: Cultivate emotional resilience by embracing challenges and learning from failures. This will help you bounce back quickly from setbacks and maintain a growth mindset, essential for improving mental performance.
December 26, 2020
The premise of the 3 alarms and the creation of identities is sound. However there is a lot of other material here that is probably familiar to readers of this genre. I would recommend reading Amazon reviews or finding summaries etc as the key points can be explained in half an A4=page. On the other hand I will be implementing the key strategy.
March 12, 2023
A very interesting book.
All in all, 3,5 stars ⭐️
All in all, 3,5 stars ⭐️
March 8, 2023
For an author from the UK, I wondered why parts of the book were American English and not British English - a short read nonetheless. Weirdly, it was nice to read about someone else experiencing an almost heart attack. I did the table exercise and recommended reading the book, even just for that.
It gets 4/5 stars because despite nearly dying from working to the extremes, the author still pursued people to fulfil not only their potential at work (referred to as wealth in the book) but also health and relationships - hustle culture capitalist perspective on max to become 'the best version of ourselves' rather than the 'healthiest and happiest version of ourselves'—very neurotypical book, similar to atomic habits with identity-based approaches to habit building.
Favourite quotes:
"I had been going a mile a minute for over ten years, desperately wanting to grow my business and 'be successful.' But I wasn't even sure what that meant anymore."
"Only 2% of the population become everything they are capable of becoming . . . I wanted to join this 'club.' In my mind, it would mean I'd made it, that I had succeeded."
"Maslow proposed that we have five categories of needs: physiological, safety, love, esteem, and self-actualization. When a lower need is met, the next need on the hierarchy becomes the focus of our attention. Self actualization, or the fulfillment of one's potential, is at the very top of the pyramid."
"I pursued greatness at work at the cost of everything else. Until I nearly died 35,000 feet in the air."
". . . it seems noble to self-sacrifice."
"As we pursue our own greatness, we ought to be careful how much we idolize people who work 120 hours a week and sleep under their desks."
"Don't settle for the status quo just because it seems to be working. If you don't have time for the things you enjoy, you aren't thriving."
"You don't achieve quality time with someone by looking for it. You achieve it by having blocks of "carefree timelessness," within which quality time can spontaneously emerge—whether it's laughter, an unexpected conversation, or a bit of encouragement."
"Mathematically speaking, mastery is an asymptote, like that word problem in high school you may remember where a frog is at the start of a dock and jumps halfway across, then jumps half that distance, and half of the remaining distance, and so on. When does he get to the end of the dock? Never."
"A good life is about seeing your entire life as a work of art that you get to create, and pursuing whatever that may look like for you."
It gets 4/5 stars because despite nearly dying from working to the extremes, the author still pursued people to fulfil not only their potential at work (referred to as wealth in the book) but also health and relationships - hustle culture capitalist perspective on max to become 'the best version of ourselves' rather than the 'healthiest and happiest version of ourselves'—very neurotypical book, similar to atomic habits with identity-based approaches to habit building.
Favourite quotes:
"I had been going a mile a minute for over ten years, desperately wanting to grow my business and 'be successful.' But I wasn't even sure what that meant anymore."
"Only 2% of the population become everything they are capable of becoming . . . I wanted to join this 'club.' In my mind, it would mean I'd made it, that I had succeeded."
"Maslow proposed that we have five categories of needs: physiological, safety, love, esteem, and self-actualization. When a lower need is met, the next need on the hierarchy becomes the focus of our attention. Self actualization, or the fulfillment of one's potential, is at the very top of the pyramid."
"I pursued greatness at work at the cost of everything else. Until I nearly died 35,000 feet in the air."
". . . it seems noble to self-sacrifice."
"As we pursue our own greatness, we ought to be careful how much we idolize people who work 120 hours a week and sleep under their desks."
"Don't settle for the status quo just because it seems to be working. If you don't have time for the things you enjoy, you aren't thriving."
"You don't achieve quality time with someone by looking for it. You achieve it by having blocks of "carefree timelessness," within which quality time can spontaneously emerge—whether it's laughter, an unexpected conversation, or a bit of encouragement."
"Mathematically speaking, mastery is an asymptote, like that word problem in high school you may remember where a frog is at the start of a dock and jumps halfway across, then jumps half that distance, and half of the remaining distance, and so on. When does he get to the end of the dock? Never."
"A good life is about seeing your entire life as a work of art that you get to create, and pursuing whatever that may look like for you."
January 5, 2024
Muy práctico, directo al hueso y efectivo. Un sistema paso a paso para que cualquier persona que lo aplique se convierta, indefectiblemente, en su mejor versión.
Además del sistema paso a paso, mi mayor take de este libro es que somos seres integrales, lo que implica que para estar bien en un área de nuestra vida, necesitamos sí o sí estar bien en todas, y que es un mito que para triunfar laboralmente debemos descuidar nuestra salud y nuestros vínculos. Más bien todo lo contrario. Otra cuestión importante que me gustó y que creo que desarrolla muy bien es este concepto de que todos, independientemente de nuestra condición, podemos aspirar y lograr la mejor versión de nosotros mismos, que no es más que aquella en la que somos plenos (y no simplemente conformes) en nuestra vida a nivel general, y particular en cada aspecto.
Además del sistema paso a paso, mi mayor take de este libro es que somos seres integrales, lo que implica que para estar bien en un área de nuestra vida, necesitamos sí o sí estar bien en todas, y que es un mito que para triunfar laboralmente debemos descuidar nuestra salud y nuestros vínculos. Más bien todo lo contrario. Otra cuestión importante que me gustó y que creo que desarrolla muy bien es este concepto de que todos, independientemente de nuestra condición, podemos aspirar y lograr la mejor versión de nosotros mismos, que no es más que aquella en la que somos plenos (y no simplemente conformes) en nuestra vida a nivel general, y particular en cada aspecto.
December 21, 2022
Size wise this book is more like a nuvella, short, concise and to the point.
The author takes all the learning from top self help books like Atomic Habbits, why we sleep and more and creates his own framework around them.
Personally i was also planning on doing something similar but this book made me think about it at a more micro level and daily gains.
So, i would totally recommend anyone to read this book, but dont expect to read The Great Gatsby, more like a very well researched self help pamphlet.
The author takes all the learning from top self help books like Atomic Habbits, why we sleep and more and creates his own framework around them.
Personally i was also planning on doing something similar but this book made me think about it at a more micro level and daily gains.
So, i would totally recommend anyone to read this book, but dont expect to read The Great Gatsby, more like a very well researched self help pamphlet.
March 27, 2023
Eric Partaker’s book offers a concept of setting up 3 alarms throughout the day to reinforce the 3 most important aspects that makes up for a fulfilling life: health, wealth, relationships.
The authors suggests to associate a identity with the alarm when setting it up, so once it goes off, we’re reminded with the best version of ourselves on that front, so we can embody and mimic how that person would act if he were on our shoes.
A very accessible read and a simple yet pragmatical advice, this book encourages the reader to take action by making that which is distant seems closer to him.
The authors suggests to associate a identity with the alarm when setting it up, so once it goes off, we’re reminded with the best version of ourselves on that front, so we can embody and mimic how that person would act if he were on our shoes.
A very accessible read and a simple yet pragmatical advice, this book encourages the reader to take action by making that which is distant seems closer to him.
July 30, 2023
Highly recommend this book!!
Eric Partaker packs a serious amount of experience and meaningful content, that could be considered the key to thriving in life. He does this in the most succinct and lucid manner possible. The book is based both, on experience and Eric's painstaking education to learning these lessons and actionable steps from experts and coaches. The reader gets to inherit them. I am grateful to have read and hopefully will incorporate the lessons into my life.
Shoutout also to YouTuber Ali Abdaal, to have recommended this book on his channel, where I came across it myself.
Eric Partaker packs a serious amount of experience and meaningful content, that could be considered the key to thriving in life. He does this in the most succinct and lucid manner possible. The book is based both, on experience and Eric's painstaking education to learning these lessons and actionable steps from experts and coaches. The reader gets to inherit them. I am grateful to have read and hopefully will incorporate the lessons into my life.
Shoutout also to YouTuber Ali Abdaal, to have recommended this book on his channel, where I came across it myself.
January 26, 2024
Lots of good straightforward tips and a very readable style, with plenty of (engaging) personal anecdotes. It did feel quite focused on men: obviously the author's male, but a lot of the examples were of other men, so I did feel he could have interviewed/quoted more women. One thing I especially appreciated was that Partaker frequently mentions other books by title, and that meant I could easily add those to my potential reads list. It was also a well-structured book, and neither rushed nor too slow.
April 21, 2024
This book was somewhat informative. However, since I already have many of the books he recommends and references on my reading list, I didn't gain much new information. Although this was an okay read and he made some good points, it felt like a summary of multiple books. If I read the books he mentions, the information becomes redundant, except for the concept of the 3 alarms. I wish the book had focused more on the principles of the 3 alarms, as this was only really explored in the final few chapters.
December 17, 2021
Who would have thought that transforming your life could be so simple?
If you're looking for a strategy of growth that's impossibly hard to implement in your life, look elsewhere. This is a practical, easy to implement system that will have you defining and moving toward your goals quickly. In the age of information overload, the old adage "You get what you focus on" has never been more true. This book and its lessons will keep you focused on the things that matter most to you in your life.
If you're looking for a strategy of growth that's impossibly hard to implement in your life, look elsewhere. This is a practical, easy to implement system that will have you defining and moving toward your goals quickly. In the age of information overload, the old adage "You get what you focus on" has never been more true. This book and its lessons will keep you focused on the things that matter most to you in your life.
March 19, 2023
The book started off strong but quickly turned redundant. It read more like a diary than a self-improvement book, to be honest. While some concepts were interesting, I found most of the advice in this book generic and derived from other books, so I don't believe this book offers enough unique value.
Rating it 2.5 stars because while it was "okay", I don't see myself recommending this to any particular person.
Rating it 2.5 stars because while it was "okay", I don't see myself recommending this to any particular person.
February 16, 2023
I often read on walks.
Took this book with me on my dialy 1hr walk.
Ended up walking 2hrs and finishing the book.
Its an easy read, well written and is very insightful.
if you're new to the self development genre its a good intro.
If you're more immersed in that world its a good refresher.
The three alarms concept was new though and im looking forward to trying it out.
Took this book with me on my dialy 1hr walk.
Ended up walking 2hrs and finishing the book.
Its an easy read, well written and is very insightful.
if you're new to the self development genre its a good intro.
If you're more immersed in that world its a good refresher.
The three alarms concept was new though and im looking forward to trying it out.
July 30, 2023
I enjoyed this book as it was easy to read and had some good positive east takeaways from it
I like this book for this and only took me so long to read as I was reading it alongside another
You could probably read this in half a day
All the best and I look forward to implementing the principles
Mark
I like this book for this and only took me so long to read as I was reading it alongside another
You could probably read this in half a day
All the best and I look forward to implementing the principles
Mark
July 31, 2023
The author is crisp and to the point. He truly writes like a consultant. No verbose narratives like most psychology and self help books have. Each page has high value content which can practically be implemented. It’s a great read and I would definitely recommend people to go through it as it a short read but the lessons are invaluable.
September 18, 2023
Simple idea, powerful outcomes
I love the practical ideas in the book, something i can implement in my life. I have just started in this journey and i get comfort that others go through similar challenges. What makes it convincing is the personal stories of Eric as examples in this book.
I love the practical ideas in the book, something i can implement in my life. I have just started in this journey and i get comfort that others go through similar challenges. What makes it convincing is the personal stories of Eric as examples in this book.
December 19, 2023
I don't get why some people say it's a copy, I have read the Atomic Habits as well and this is nothing like that. They are both perfect books. Yes, they share so many concepts like all self-help books, but it does not mean they are the same. I enjoyed this more than the Atomic Habits, I would give more than 5 stars if I could.
December 22, 2023
Eric, the author, experiences a near death experience at 35,000 ft in a plane - which was a wake up call (i.e. an alarm) from life which led him to rethink about 3 most important aspects of life and caused him to set 3 alarm systems which rings everyday. Remind yourself before life reminds you. A 10/10 Book on Self Improvement - Loved it.
April 22, 2024
learnt a lot. works with benjamin holidays work on identity being the key to rapid transformation, liked the idea of having times change into different personas.
a good pragmatic book that agrees with what I've been reading recently.
helped me to start doing deep work by 730am ever morning
pausing before replying
and many other techniques I'll be going back on over the year
a good pragmatic book that agrees with what I've been reading recently.
helped me to start doing deep work by 730am ever morning
pausing before replying
and many other techniques I'll be going back on over the year
October 18, 2022
Insightful book
Very insightful book, full of very practical ideas. Realizing that we can make a real difference in the quality of important aspects of our life was well presented. Thank you well done Eric.
Very insightful book, full of very practical ideas. Realizing that we can make a real difference in the quality of important aspects of our life was well presented. Thank you well done Eric.
December 23, 2022
A few interesting concepts, including the 3 alarms. I'm not a fan of the writing style. He quotes lots of references and other nonfiction authors. It's a lot of advice packed into a small free book, but it's a bit messy and repetitive.
March 20, 2023
Great read and effective idea
I really liked both the simplicity and effectiveness of this book. Eric clearly lives the advice he so expertly provides throughout this book, and I am really looking forward to implementing his advice throughout my own.
I really liked both the simplicity and effectiveness of this book. Eric clearly lives the advice he so expertly provides throughout this book, and I am really looking forward to implementing his advice throughout my own.
July 8, 2023
This book to me perfectly summarises many of the self help ideas floating around. I love that it is short but still focuses effectively on productivity habits and identity change. Really resonated with me and I’m excited to see how my 4 (an extra one for dancing) alarms will transform my life.
January 1, 2024
Some good information but a lot of it I have heard before.
The rating above states my opinion that the is some good information but a lot of it I have heard before just maybe from several different sources.
The rating above states my opinion that the is some good information but a lot of it I have heard before just maybe from several different sources.
December 17, 2021
This book is a fascinating read, it has helped me define my purpose, my intentions, and how to reach them in a healthier and better way. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews