“The most wisdom per word of any
newsletter on the web.”

​

3-2-1: Two steps for better results, the qualities of a great career, and how to handle good luck

Happy 3-2-1 Thursday!

Here are 3 ideas, 2 quotes, and 1 question to consider this week...

​

3 Ideas From Me

I.

"The 2-step process for exceptional results:

1. Spend a little time each day thinking about the highest leverage activity available to you.
2. Spend a little time each day working on it."

​II.

"The feeling of progress is one of the best feelings of all. This is true even when progress is small."

III.

"The 4 qualities of a great career:

1. I enjoy it
2. I'm good at it
3. I make good money
4. I’m around fascinating people

Answer in reverse order:

1. Where are fascinating people?
2. In what ways can I make money with them?
3. Which ones am I good at?
4. Which ones do I enjoy?"

​

2 Quotes From Others

I.

Novelist Marilynne Robinson on how to handle good luck:

"I can only make sense of my unaccountable good fortune by assuming that it means I am under special obligation to make good use of it."

Source: The Paris Review Interviews: Volume IV ​

​II.

Author Ben Short reminds us why the hard work is worth it:

"... looking at the work done and the work still to do, most people would have written the whole thing off as too much sweat for too little gain. But I didn't want an easy life. I wanted a beautiful one."

Source: Burn

​

1 Question For You

What hard lesson keeps repeating itself in your life because you refuse to learn it?

Want to share this issue of 3-2-1? Just copy and paste this link: https://jamesclear.com/3-2-1/april-10-2025

​

Until next week,

James Clear ​​
​Author of Atomic Habits​
Creator of the 3-2-1 Newsletter​
Cofounder of Authors Equity​

​

p.s. Me, whenever I answer an email. ​​

What else am I working on?