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James Clear · June 6, 2024

3-2-1: How to stick to a new habit, how to handle criticism, and 4 types of wealth

Glance

In his weekly 3-2-1 newsletter, James Clear shares three ideas on habit-building, communication, and wealth, two quotes from others, and one reflective question on how to measure a day.

Meaning

James Clear presents three of his own ideas: shrink a habit to a smaller version until it becomes automatic, recognize that problems often lie in how something was communicated rather than what happened, and beware of jobs that offer financial and social wealth while stealing time and physical wealth. He then shares two borrowed quotes, from Neil Gaiman on learning by finishing things and from David Leggett on being friendlier to those who attack your work. He closes by asking the reader to consider alternative units for measuring their days, such as laughter, time outside, or peace of mind.

The author, in their own words

3 IDEAS FROM ME

I.

“If you're having trouble sticking to a new habit, try a smaller version until it becomes automatic. Do less than you're capable of, but do it more consistently than you have before.”

II.

“It's remarkable how often the real problem is not what happened, but how it was communicated.”

III.

“There are at least 4 types of wealth:

  1. Financial wealth (money)
  2. Social wealth (status)
  3. Time wealth (freedom)
  4. Physical wealth (health)

Be wary of jobs that lure you in with 1 and 2, but rob you of 3 and 4.”

2 QUOTES FROM OTHERS

I.

Novelist and comic book writer Neil Gaiman on the source of improvement:

Source: Neil Gaiman's Advice to Aspiring Writers

II.

Web designer David Leggett on how to handle criticism:

Source: Professional Web Design

1 QUESTION FOR YOU

How should you measure your days? It's easy to measure your days in dollars earned or tasks completed, but there are other units of measurement to consider:

  • What would you do today if you wanted to maximize laughter?
  • What would you do today if you wanted to maximize time outside?
  • What would you do today if you wanted to maximize peace of mind?

What unit of measurement serves you best right now?

Key Passages

“You have to finish things — that's what you learn from, you learn by finishing things.”
“Be friendly to those who enjoy your work and friendlier to those who attack it.”
“If you're having trouble sticking to a new habit, try a smaller version until it becomes automatic. Do less than you're capable of, but do it more consistently than you have before.”
“It's remarkable how often the real problem is not what happened, but how it was communicated.”
Be wary of jobs that lure you in with 1 and 2, but rob you of 3 and 4.”
“You have to finish things — that's what you learn from, you learn by finishing things.”
“Be friendly to those who enjoy your work and friendlier to those who attack it.”

© James Clear, jamesclear.com

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Dad’s Take

Chasing the fat paycheck while your health and your time turn to dust isn't winning. It's just losing slowly with a nicer car.

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