​

“The most wisdom per word of any
newsletter on the web.”

​

3-2-1: On avoiding frustration, easier paths to a good life, and the power of not reading

read on

​JAMESCLEAR.COM | JULY 31, 2025

Happy 3-2-1 Thursday!

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

​

​

3 Ideas From Me

I.

"Chase your desired lifestyle, not your desired title. People are blinded by status and labels. Once you release the need for a specific title, there is almost always an easier path to living your preferred lifestyle."


​II.

"Take great care to avoid mistakes when the decision is hard to reverse.

But! If you make a mistake that is hard to reverse, there is no sense beating yourself up about it. Your responsibility is to make the best next choice given your current position. You must always make the most of the situation you are in.

Next play mentality."


III.

"Many frustrations are the result of unspoken expectations. Before you get too annoyed, make sure you are clearly expressing your thoughts."

​

​

​

2 Quotes From Others

I.

Animator and cartoonist Walt Kelly reminds us that a lot of hard work is wasted:

“Having lost sight of our objectives, we redoubled our efforts.”

Source: Pogo​​​


​II.

Philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer encourages us to read what is important, not what is popular:

"The art of not reading is a very important one. It consists in not taking an interest in whatever may be engaging the attention of the general public at any particular time. When some political or ecclesiastical pamphlet, or novel, or poem is making a great commotion, you should remember that he who writes for fools always finds a large public. - A precondition for reading good books is not reading bad ones: for life is short."

Source: Essays and Aphorisms ​

​

​

1 Question For You

It is common to think about what you would like to accomplish. It is less common to think about what must be discarded to make space for your new endeavors. The time must come from somewhere. What do you need to give up to make space for what you would like to achieve?

Want to share this issue of 3-2-1? Just copy and paste this link: https://jamesclear.com/3-2-1/july-31-2025

​

Until next week,

James Clear ​​
​Author of Atomic Habits​
Cofounder of
Authors Equity​

​

p.s. This is what keeps me up at night.​

What else am I working on?

Get my book

Read my #1 New York Times bestseller, Atomic Habits, which has sold more than 20 million copies worldwide.

​

Click here to learn more

Get my popular MasterClass

​My class on building better habits has been one of the top five most popular classes on MasterClass since its release. In a few short video lessons, I share simple ways to make habits easier.

Click here to learn more

My book recommendations this week

In addition to my own writing, I cofounded a publishing company called Authors Equity to help other authors publish their books. As a result, I get a front row seat to a lot of great books.

Here are a few books I think you'll love:

​

Over 1 Million copies sold

​The Simple Path to Wealth ​

Your road map to financial independence and a rich, free life

by JL Collins

​Print . Audio . Ebook​


new york times bestseller

​Don't Believe Everything You Think ​

Why your thinking is the beginning & end of suffering

by Joseph Nguyen

​Print . Audio . Ebook​


coming this fall!

​Puzzle Mania! ​

Wordle, Connections, Spelling Bee, Minis and More!

by The New York Times Games and Joel Fagliano

​Print


Follow me on social:

x-twitter​instagram​linkedin​

About this newsletter: You are receiving this email because you subscribed to my weekly 3-2-1 newsletter. Every Thursday, I share 3 ideas from me, 2 quotes from others, and 1 question for you to ponder. Occasionally, I send out longer content on habits and self-improvement.

Update your subscription preferences: Unsubscribe from the 3-2-1 newsletter, unsubscribe from all emails (including future book announcements), or manage your subscriber profile.

Atomic Habits customers: Click here to learn how to redeem your purchase for free bonuses. This will also remove you from any promotional emails for the book.

2935 E Main St. Unit #9361, Columbus, OH 43209
​
​

​

​

​

​