3-2-1: How to be alone, taking action, and choosing your heroes

Happy 3-2-1 Thursday!

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

​

I.

"If you added up all the time wasted searching for shortcuts and trying to cheat the process, the hard work could have already been done by now."

(Share this on Twitter)​

​II.

"Have no single point of failure.

Have no single path to success."

(Share this on Twitter)​

III.

"In the middle, it feels slow.

In hindsight, it feels fast."

(Share this on Twitter)​

​

​

I.

Author bell hooks on the importance of knowing how to be alone:

"Many of us seek community solely to escape the fear of being alone. Knowing how to be solitary is central to the art of loving. When we can be alone, we can be with others without using them as a means of escape."

Source: All About Love: New Visions​

​II.

Stoic philosopher Epictetus on taking action:

"Now is the time to get serious about living your ideals. How long can you afford to put off who you really want to be? Your nobler self cannot wait any longer.

Put your principles into practice – now. Stop the excuses and the procrastination. This is your life! You aren’t a child anymore. The sooner you set yourself to your spiritual program, the happier you will be. The longer you wait, the more you’ll be vulnerable to mediocrity and feel filled with shame and regret, because you know you are capable of better.

From this instant on, vow to stop disappointing yourself. Separate yourself from the mob. Decide to be extraordinary and do what you need to do – now."

Source: The Art of Living​

​

​

A question from Barrett Brooks on choosing your heroes:

"Here’s the thing about your heroes: You have to know about them to look up to them. The candidate pool is 100% limited by your exposure. That’s why so many kids look up to athletes, I think. They haven’t been exposed to enough other people to look up to them.

Here's how I think about that: Who haven’t I been exposed to that would inspire me if I knew they existed or knew the details of their lives? And how could I learn about those people?"

​

​

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/february-3-2022?rh_ref=b6775c9d

​

Until next week,

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

​

p.s. I hope this email finds you well.

​

​

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

​

​