James Clear

My top 10 tweets of the year A thread 👇

The observant person finds many teachers.

A Monday morning question for you: The common narrative is that kids learn faster than adults, but if you watch any toddler they spend a large portion of the day attempting things that are on the edge of their ability. How much time have you spent on the edge of your ability today?

A great relationship is not only finding the person you have fun with, but also finding the person you want to be bored with. The beauty of long-term relationships is often hidden in boring, ordinary moments.

This idea is from today's edition of my 3-2-1 Thursday newsletter. Each one features⁠ 3 short ideas from me, 2 quotes from others⁠, and 1 question for you to ponder⁠. You can see more of today's newsletter (and sign up to get it in your inbox) at jamesclear.com/3-2-1

One of my hopes is to age into a better mindset. The general trend seems to become less open minded, less resilient, less capable of handling change with ease and flexibility as the years roll by. I hope to grow in the opposite direction. How can my mindset be better today than it was yesterday?

Many situations in life are similar to going on a hike: the view changes once you start walking. You don't need all the answers right now. New paths will reveal themselves if you have the courage to get started.

When you're on the field, play as if nothing else matters. When you're off the field, remember that the game doesn't matter at all.

A Monday morning question for you: What is one habit you've formed that has had a significant impact on your life?

This idea is from today's edition of my 3-2-1 Thursday newsletter.⁠ ⁠ Each one features⁠ 3 short ideas from me, 2 quotes from others⁠, and 1 question for you to ponder⁠.⁠ ⁠ You can see more of today's newsletter (and sign up to get it in your inbox) at jamesclear.com/3-2-1

Trades are always happening whether you see them or not. -Yes to the early meeting = no to the quiet morning -Yes to the extra project = no to the free weekend -Yes to something that drains you = no to time that fulfills you Saying yes to one thing is always saying no to something else. The cost of a bad yes isn't just the time it takes. It's whatever could have grown in that space instead. The point isn't to say no to everything, but simply to recognize the difference between a good yes and a bad yes. Then, try to improve the ratio in your life.

A Monday morning question for you: Challenge yourself to do something out of your normal routine. What is one thing you can do this week that is different than what you do on a normal week?

This idea is from today's edition of my 3-2-1 Thursday newsletter. Each one features⁠ 3 short ideas from me, 2 quotes from others⁠, and 1 question for you to ponder⁠. You can see more of today's newsletter (and sign up to get it in your inbox) at jamesclear.com/3-2-1

Unexpected forms of generosity: -Being early can be a form of generosity. You wait, so they don't have to. -Leaving something unsaid can be a form of generosity. You don't always need the last word. -Delivering your work on time can be a form of generosity. You make life easier for everyone downstream. -Not taking things personally can be a form of generosity. You give people the space to say things imperfectly.

Nobody is rooting for you to fail. Maybe you’ll succeed. Maybe you’ll fail. For the most part, nobody cares one way or the other. This is a good thing! The world is big and you are small, and that means you can chase your dreams with little worry for what people think.

A Monday morning question for you: What do I need to let go of this year to create space for what I really want?

This idea is from today's edition of my 3-2-1 Thursday newsletter.⁠ ⁠ Each one features⁠ 3 short ideas from me, 2 quotes from others⁠, and 1 question for you to ponder⁠.⁠ ⁠ You can see more of today's newsletter (and sign up to get it in your inbox) at jamesclear.com/3-2-1

You are not your grand plans. You are your daily patterns.

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.

A Monday morning question for you: In your professional life, who do you admire most? In your personal life, who do you admire most?

It only takes five minutes to break the cycle. Five minutes of exercise and you are back on the path. Five minutes of writing and the manuscript is moving forward again. Five minutes of conversation and the relationship is restored. It doesn't take much to feel good again.