James Clear · May 28, 2026

3-2-1: On revenge, three principles to live by, and the power of commitment

Glance

Marcus Aurelius needed just eight words to redefine revenge — and it has nothing to do with getting even.

Meaning

In this 3-2-1 issue, James Clear offers three principles he tries to live by: staying adaptable rather than needing a perfect day, refusing to be his own obstacle by treating his mind as a friend, and living to a chosen standard regardless of whether a given day makes it easy or hard. He pairs these with two quotes — Marcus Aurelius on how the best revenge is simply not to become like the person who wronged you, and W. H. Murray on how the moment one fully commits, unforeseen help and momentum begin to flow. He closes by asking who best models a good attitude, and how you might embody that same energy today.

The author, in their own words

3 IDEAS FROM ME

This week, here are three principles I try to live by:

2 QUOTES FROM OTHERS

Roman emperor and philosopher Marcus Aurelius on taking the high road:

Scottish mountaineer and writer W. H. Murray on the power of commitment and getting started:

1 QUESTION FOR YOU

Who is the best example you know of living with a good attitude and how can you embody that energy today?

Until next week, James Clear Author of Atomic Habits Cofounder of Authors Equity

Key Passages

I. “I'm adaptable. I don't need the day to go perfectly to make it a good one.”

II. “It's not my job to tell myself no. The world will offer plenty of obstacles. I don't need to add to them. My mind is my friend. I am my own biggest believer.”

III. “I try to live to a standard, not the circumstances of the day. Some days it is easy. Some days it is hard. But I do it either way because that's who I want to be, not because it is always easy to do.”

“The best revenge is not to be like that.” Source: Meditations

“Until one is committed there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favour all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way. I have learned a deep respect for one of Goethe's couplets: Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.” Source: The Scottish Himalayan Expedition

“The best revenge is not to be like that.”

I try to live to a standard, not the circumstances of the day. Some days it is easy. Some days it is hard. But I do it either way because that's who I want to be, not because it is always easy to do.

It's not my job to tell myself no. The world will offer plenty of obstacles. I don't need to add to them. My mind is my friend. I am my own biggest believer.

the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred.

Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.

I'm adaptable. I don't need the day to go perfectly to make it a good one.

Related ideas

The Eject Button Mentality

Sahil Bloom · May 22, 2026

commitment

Dad’s Take

Which of these three standards would your kids say they actually watch you live — not just hear you say?

Source ↗