3-2-1: Key questions in life, small improvements, and generalists and specialists

Happy 3-2-1 Thursday!

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

​

I.

"Usually, the better someone does their job, the easier it looks. You rarely realize how hard it is until you try it yourself."

(Share this on Twitter)​

​II.

"Two of the key questions in life: How do I grow? How do I manage risk?

You need to do both if you wish to survive and excel."

(Share this on Twitter)​

III.

"Speed is important. Work fast and iterate. People rarely remember the first draft, but everyone remembers the final draft.

Speed is unimportant. People rarely remember how long it took you to do the job, but everyone remembers how well you did the job."

(Share this on Twitter)​

​

​

I.

The ancient Greek poet Hesiod on small improvements:

"If you add only a little to a little and do this often, soon that little will become great."

Source: Works and Days​

​II.

Lillian Moore shares a quick story that reveals what really motivates people:

"A few months after my husband and I moved to a small Massachusetts town I grumbled to a resident about the poor service at the library, hoping she would repeat my complaints to the librarian. The next time I went to the library, the librarian had set aside two bestsellers for me and a new biography for my husband. What's more, she appeared to be genuinely glad to see me.

Later I reported the miraculous change to my friend. "I suppose you told her how poor we thought the service was?" I asked.

"No," she confessed. "In fact—I hope you don't mind—I told her your husband was amazed at the way she had built up this small town library, and that you thought she showed unusually good taste in the new books she ordered."

Source: Reader's Digest

​

​

The generalist becomes more powerful when they develop a specialty where they can apply their broad insight.

The specialist becomes more powerful when they develop a broader surface area of knowledge to connect with their expertise.

Which side are you favoring right now? Would you benefit from a broader area to apply your already honed skills? Or do you need deeper skills to unlock your general knowledge?

​

If you enjoyed that, please share with others.

​Share this newsletter on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, or via email.

Or, copy and paste the link below:

https://jamesclear.com/3-2-1/june-9-2022?rh_ref=b6775c9d

​

Until next week,

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

​

p.s. What's the first ingredient?

​

​

Share 3-2-1 and get something useful.

If you enjoy these messages, please tell a friend about the 3-2-1 Newsletter. And if you do, I'll send you a special bonus.

0 of 3

You're just 3 referrals away from unlocking The Great Speeches PDF

For years, I have collected a list of insightful speeches that are not widely known. I've discovered many hidden gems. Recently, I created transcripts for 10 of my favorites and compiled them into a single document titled, "Great Talks Most People Have Never Heard." Each one is filled with useful ideas for life and work.

Here's how to get access to it...

You have a custom referral link (see below). Just copy and paste your referral link into an email, on social media, or however else you'd like to share it. If 3 new people sign up through your link, then you'll automatically get an email with the Great Speeches PDF attached. Thanks for spreading the word.

Your referral link:

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

Click to Share

​

​