3-2-1: The effect of criticism, a gift you can give yourself, and the ultimate luxury

Happy 3-2-1 Thursday!

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

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I.

"If an idea is true, criticism will not destroy it, but strengthen it."

(Share this on Twitter)​

​II.

"You need focus to become exceptional at anything.

Massive amounts of time and energy are wasted optimizing things that should be left undone.

You have to be great at saying no."

(Share this on Twitter)​

III.

"A gift you can give yourself right now:

Stop what you're doing. Close your eyes.

For the next 60 seconds, just breathe."

(Share this on Twitter)​

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I.

Interior designer Danielle Colding on the ultimate luxury:

"Quality of life is having the freedom to make choices that are not fear based. Whether it’s the ability to choose the kinds of projects I want to take on and can learn from, or the ability to take a month off to travel. Freedom to choose is the ultimate luxury."

Source: In the Company of Women​

​II.

Electrical engineer Seymour Cray—who made a number of improvements to computer performance and is often credited with inventing the supercomputing industry—explains his approach to doing groundbreaking work:

"One of my guiding principles is don’t do anything that other people are doing. Always do something a little different if you can. The concept is that if you do it a little differently there is a greater potential for reward than if you do the same thing that other people are doing. I think that this kind of goal for one’s work, having obviously the maximum risk, would have the maximum reward no matter what the field may be."

Source: Interview with David K. Allison, Smithsonian Institution Computer History Project (May 1995)

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What is an area you'd like to improve over the next decade?

How are you working toward that outcome today?

Think long-term. Act short-term.

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Until next week,

James Clear
​Author of the #1 worldwide bestseller, Atomic Habits​
Creator of the Habit Journal​

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p.s. "Yeah, just a little earthquake. You could barely feel it."​

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