3-2-1: Starting the new year the right way, how to stay focused, and a lesson on long-term thinking

Happy New Year! Welcome to another 3-2-1 Thursday.

Many people are starting the year by reading (or re-reading) Atomic Habits. (The book was the #1 best-selling book of the year on Amazon.)

To celebrate, I'm giving away a free secret chapter that was cut from the final manuscript plus a handful of other PDF guides (Atomic Habits for parents guide, Atomic Habits for business guide, etc) to anyone who buys before January 12, 2024.

If you are interested in getting the bonuses, just follow these two steps:

1. Buy a copy of Atomic Habits in whatever format you want (print, ebook, or audiobook) and in any language (see them all here).
2. Forward your receipt or proof of purchase to the email address 1book@atomichabits.com

Already purchased a copy? Just send your receipt or take a picture of your book and send to 1book@atomichabits.com and we’ll send your bonuses right away.

That's it!

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

I.

As we start the new year, a reminder from Atomic Habits:

"New goals don't deliver new results. New lifestyles do. And a lifestyle is a process, not an outcome. For this reason, all of your energy should go into building better habits, not chasing better results."

(Share this on Twitter)

​II.

"A simple filter for managing your time: You're not focused enough unless you're mourning some of the things you're saying no to."

(Share this on Twitter)

III.

"Don't worry about being the most interesting person in the room, just try to be the most interested person in the room.

• The interested person asks about others and leaves a good impression because people like talking about themselves.
• The interested person is genuinely curious about someone's craft and learns a lot about how things work.
• The interested person engages with more people and—because opportunities come through people—is more likely to catch a lucky break.

In general, the interested person learns more and tends to be well-liked. And in the long run, it's hard to keep down someone who is well-learned and well-liked."

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I.

Entrepreneur and investor Matt Griswold offers a useful approach for life:

"Think in decades and act in days."

Source: Twitter​
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​II.

Roman philosopher Musonius Rufus shares a lesson on long-term thinking:

"If you accomplish something good with hard work, the labor passes quickly, but the good endures; if you do something shameful in pursuit of pleasure, the pleasure passes quickly, but the shame endures."

Source: Lectures and Fragments, Fragment 51

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Who are you trying to become this year? Which actions will reinforce that identity?

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Want to share this issue of 3-2-1 via text, social media, or email? Just copy and paste this link:

https://jamesclear.com/3-2-1/january-04-2024

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Until next week,

James Clear
​Author of Atomic Habits and keynote speaker​​

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p.s. Here's your New Years resolution...