​

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

​

3-2-1: On having high standards, the secret to willpower, and how to be strong yet flexible

read on

​JAMESCLEAR.COM | NOVEMBER 27, 2025

Happy 3-2-1 Thursday!

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

​

​

3 Ideas From Me

I.

"One easy way to show you care about others is to ask them questions about their life.

  • What are they excited about?
  • What are they working on?
  • What are they hoping for?

Simply asking the question and listening thoughtfully is an act of generosity. You're giving them the gift of attention."


​II.

"Whatever you're doing, do it well. If you're writing a thank you note, take an extra minute to mention something beyond the typical thank you. If you're exercising, do each set as well as you can. If you're in conversation, really listen and don't just wait for your turn to talk.

Having high standards adds up. You can nearly always find an extra minute to do it better. And most important, you prove to yourself that you're the type of person who does things well."


III.

"In the long-run (and often in the short-run), your willpower will never beat your environment. The more disciplined your environment is, the less disciplined you need to be. Don't swim upstream."

​

​

2 Quotes From Others

I.

Roman senator, lawyer, and author Pliny the Younger reminds us of a frequent truth in life:

"An object in possession seldom retains the same charm that it had in pursuit."

Source: Epistulae (Book II, Letter 15) ​

My takeaway? Do things where you enjoy the journey because many times the chase will end up being more fun than the reward. ​​


​II.

In a single sentence, author Virginia Woolf encourages us to live with a strong foundation — to know our values and be grounded in a strong sense of self — but to remain adaptable and open to life:

"I am rooted, but I flow."

Source: The Waves ​

​

​

1 Question For You

How can you position yourself to succeed even if things don't go your way?

Want to share this issue of 3-2-1? Just copy and paste this link: https://jamesclear.com/3-2-1/november-27-2025

​

Until next week,

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

​

p.s. A Thanksgiving to remember. ​​

What else am I working on?

Get my book

Read my #1 New York Times bestseller, Atomic Habits, which has sold more than 25 million copies worldwide.

​

Click here to learn more

Atoms - the official Atomic Habits app

Build good habits and break bad ones in just five minutes a day. Atoms helps you track your habits and teaches powerful daily lessons right on your device.

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​


New Release

​The Overthinker's Guide to Making Decisions​

How to make decisions without losing your mind

by Joseph Nguyen

​Print . Audio . Ebook​

​

​

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
​
​

​

​

​

​