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3-2-1: On spotting new opportunities, the power of high volume, and how to make a big decision

Happy 3-2-1 Thursday!

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

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3 Ideas From Me

I.

"Mental toughness immediately increases when you find the right subject. You're more likely to stick with things when you're genuinely interested."

​II.

"How to see opportunities others miss:

1) Study a totally different field, then return to the original problem. Apply insights from other domains.

2) Invert the problem. Try to achieve the opposite.

3) Find ways to engage with hyper-creative people. Their thinking will rub off."

III.

"The person who gets 1 shot needs everything to go right.

The person who gets 1000 shots is going to score at some point.

Find a way to play the game that ensures you get a lot of shots."

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2 Quotes From Others

I.

Journalist and author Hunter S. Thompson on going for it:

"Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived, or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed?"

Source: Security (1955)​​

​II.

Science fiction writer Ursula K. Le Guin on the process:

"It is good to have an end to journey towards; but it is the journey that matters, in the end."

Source: The Left Hand of Darkness

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1 Question For You

Here's one from the writer, Isabel Unraveled:

"A good heuristic when making a big decision: would choosing this make me feel more alive?"

Want to share this issue of 3-2-1? Just copy and paste this link: https://jamesclear.com/3-2-1/september-24-2026

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Until next week,

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

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p.s. Never doubt your greatness.

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