3-2-1: Small habits with big plans, the shape of genius, and advice to a younger self

Happy 3-2-1 Thursday!

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

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I.

"It's only work if you would rather be doing something else.

Find a way to carve a career out of what you already want to do."

(Share this on Twitter)​

​II.

"Build small habits. Make big plans.

1) Keep your daily actions small. Strive to get 1% better every day.

2) Keep your daily mindset big. Think about how you can play a bigger game.

Start small, but never dream small."

(Share this on Twitter)​

III.

"Great work resists compression.

Great explanations are short, but potent.

Great software delivers the same outcome in fewer clicks.

Great manufacturing processes create products in less time and with less waste.

The shape of genius is simplicity."

(Share this on Twitter)​

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I.

Computer scientist Alan Kay on the value of looking at old things in a new way:

"A change in perspective is worth 80 IQ points."

Source: Talk at Creative Think seminar​

​II.

Painter Mariam Paré, who specializes in making paintings by mouth after suffering a spinal cord injury, offers some advice to her younger self:

"If I could talk to myself twenty years ago, I would tell myself to focus on my strengths, and not on my weaknesses; on the things I could do and not the things I couldn’t do; to strive to excel and hone those skills to the point of excellence. That this was the best strategy to secure my future. I would say to myself that the only real obstacles you have are those you create for yourself."

Source: In the Company of Women​

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Sometimes we are too hard on ourselves and criticize our mistakes to an unhelpful degree. Sometimes we are too easy on ourselves and let excuses run our lives.

Which way are you leaning right now? How can you pull yourself back to center?

(Share this question on Twitter)

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https://jamesclear.com/3-2-1/june-2-2022?rh_ref=b6775c9d

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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. Helpful anxiety tip.

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