3-2-1: On the power of self-image, how luck travels, and the importance of solving mediocre problems
From James Clear
Totjphuhs@gmail.com
Accounttjphuhs@gmail.com
Date5/14/2026, 5:33:50 PM
Thread
19e2869015f64367UNREADIMPORTANTCATEGORY_UPDATESINBOX
Snippet
“The most wisdom per word of any newsletter on the web.” 3-2-1: On the power of self-image, how luck travels, and the importance of solving mediocre problems read on JAMESCLEAR.COM | MAY 14, 2026
Stored Body
“The most wisdom per word of any newsletter on the web.” **************************************************************************************************** 3-2-1: On the power of self-image, how luck travels, and the importance of solving mediocre problems **************************************************************************************************** read on JAMESCLEAR.COM ( https://59b90e10.click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmu769opq8imhn9e363c6h8w8gd64sgh5o/p8heh9h4ovqgrgbq/aHR0cHM6Ly9qYW1lc2NsZWFyLmNvbS9tYXktMTQtMjAyNg== ) | MAY 14, 2026 Happy 3-2-1 Thursday! Here are 3 ideas, 2 quotes, and 1 question to consider this week... --------------- 3 Ideas From Me --------------- I. "The best view of the game is probably from the stands. But that's not where the action is. And so you have to decide, do you want a nice view or do you want to be in the thick of it and playing the game?" II. "Luck flows through people and travels by conversation. The people you talk to determine the opportunities you find. Keep talking to the same people, keep finding the same opportunities. Start talking to new people, start finding new opportunities. If you want different luck, start walking into different rooms." III. "You will rarely outperform your self-image." -------------------- 2 Quotes From Others -------------------- I. Entrepreneur and saleswoman Mary Kay Ash reminds us that everyone craves respect and attention: "No matter how busy you are, you must take time to make the other person feel important. Everyone has an invisible sign hanging from their neck saying, "Make me feel important." Never forget this message when working with people." Source: Mary Kay on People Management (paraphrased) ( https://59b90e10.click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmu769opq8imhn9e363c6h8w8gd64sgh5o/x0hph6he0gq9k3i5/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbXpuLnRvLzNVb3BNelg= ) II. Writer and computer scientist Gurwinder Bhogal on the danger of mediocre problems: "Often we fail to improve our lives simply because things don't get bad enough. If your new job is hell, you’ll leave it, but if it’s just unsatisfying, you’ll likely grind it out. Thus, small problems often threaten our quality of life more than big ones." Source: Twitter ( https://59b90e10.click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmu769opq8imhn9e363c6h8w8gd64sgh5o/dpheh0hen3p8drfm/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9HX1NfQmhvZ2FsL3N0YXR1cy8xODc0NTczNzI3NTA3Mzg2NzYx ) ------------------ 1 Question For You ------------------ Don't wait on external factors. If the thing you're waiting for never arrives or if the permission you're hoping for is never given, what's your move? Want to share this issue of 3-2-1? Just copy and paste this link: https://jamesclear.com/3-2-1/may-14-2026 Until next week, James Clear ( https://59b90e10.click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmu769opq8imhn9e363c6h8w8gd64sgh5o/e0hph7h7oxrqmmh8/aHR0cHM6Ly9qYW1lc2NsZWFyLmNvbS9hdG9taWMtaGFiaXRz ) Author of Atomic Habits ( https://59b90e10.click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmu769opq8imhn9e363c6h8w8gd64sgh5o/e0hph7h7oxrqmmh8/aHR0cHM6Ly9qYW1lc2NsZWFyLmNvbS9hdG9taWMtaGFiaXRz ) Cofounder of Authors Equity ( https://59b90e10.click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmu769opq8imhn9e363c6h8w8gd64sgh5o/7qh7h8h95gnwdqiz/aHR0cHM6Ly9hdXRob3JzZXF1aXR5LmNvbS8= ) p.s. The coolest thing I've seen all week ( https://59b90e10.click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmu769opq8imhn9e363c6h8w8gd64sgh5o/z2hghnhexglp5xap/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9wL0RZRk9LQnJKNnJoLw== ). ( https://59b90e10.click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmu769opq8imhn9e363c6h8w8gd64sgh5o/x0hph6he0gq9kvh5/aHR0cHM6Ly9qYW1lc2NsZWFyLmNvbS93cC1jb250ZW50L3VwbG9hZHMvMjAyNC8xMC8zLTItMS1wcy1vY3QtMjQtMjAyNC5qcGc= ) -------------------------- What else am I working on? -------------------------- ( https://59b90e10.click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmu769opq8imhn9e363c6h8w8gd64sgh5o/e0hph7h7oxrqmmh8/aHR0cHM6Ly9qYW1lc2NsZWFyLmNvbS9hdG9taWMtaGFiaXRz ) ----------- Get my book ----------- Read my #1 New York Times bestseller, Atomic Habits ( https://59b90e10.click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmu769opq8imhn9e363c6h8w8gd64sgh5o/e0hph7h7oxrqmmh8/aHR0cHM6Ly9qYW1lc2NsZWFyLmNvbS9hdG9taWMtaGFiaXRz ), which has sold more than 25 million copies worldwide. -->Click here to learn more ( https://59b90e10.click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmu769opq8imhn9e363c6h8w8gd64sgh5o/e0hph7h7oxrqmmh8/aHR0cHM6Ly9qYW1lc2NsZWFyLmNvbS9hdG9taWMtaGFiaXRz ) Click here to learn more ( https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits ) ( https://59b90e10.click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmu769opq8imhn9e363c6h8w8gd64sgh5o/6qheh8hleq9nxmuo/aHR0cHM6Ly9qYW1lc2NsZWFyLmNvbS9hdG9taWMtaGFiaXRzLXdvcmtib29r ) -------------------------- The Atomic Habits Workbook -------------------------- The official companion to Atomic Habits. Filled with simple exercises for building the life you want. -->Click here to learn more ( https://59b90e10.click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmu769opq8imhn9e363c6h8w8gd64sgh5o/6qheh8hleq9nxmuo/aHR0cHM6Ly9qYW1lc2NsZWFyLmNvbS9hdG9taWMtaGFiaXRzLXdvcmtib29r ) Click here to learn more ( https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits-workbook ) --------------------------------- My book recommendations this week --------------------------------- In addition to my own writing, I cofounded a publishing company called Authors Equity ( https://59b90e10.click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmu769opq8imhn9e363c6h8w8gd64sgh5o/7qh7h8h95gnwdqiz/aHR0cHM6Ly9hdXRob3JzZXF1aXR5LmNvbS8= ) 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: ( https://59b90e10.click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmu769opq8imhn9e363c6h8w8gd64sgh5o/kkhmh6hnv7x6zxal/aHR0cHM6Ly9zYWx0d3JhcC5jb20vcGFnZXMvYnVpbHQtZnJvbS1icm9rZW4= ) order now Built from Broken ( https://59b90e10.click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmu769opq8imhn9e363c6h8w8gd64sgh5o/kkhmh6hnv7x6zxal/aHR0cHM6Ly9zYWx0d3JhcC5jb20vcGFnZXMvYnVpbHQtZnJvbS1icm9rZW4= ) A science-based guide to healing painful joints, preventing injuries, and rebuilding your body by Scott Hogan Print ( https://59b90e10.click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmu769opq8imhn9e363c6h8w8gd64sgh5o/kkhmh6hnv7x6zxal/aHR0cHM6Ly9zYWx0d3JhcC5jb20vcGFnZXMvYnVpbHQtZnJvbS1icm9rZW4= ). Audio ( https://59b90e10.click.convertkit-mail4.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 ) . Ebook ( https://59b90e10.click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmu769opq8imhn9e363c6h8w8gd64sgh5o/25h2hoh3w5m4lxu3/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYW1hem9uLmNvbS9CdWlsdC1Ccm9rZW4tU2NpZW5jZS1CYXNlZC1QcmV2ZW50aW5nLVJlYnVpbGRpbmctZWJvb2svZHAvQjBGQ0c2WkRaNT9tYWFzPW1hYXNfYWRnXzlFMkExMTUwM0NGQzVEQzgzMTAzNjI0NTk3MkFDQkVEX2FmYXBfYWJzJnJlZl89YWFfbWFhcyZ0YWc9bWFhcw== ) ( https://59b90e10.click.convertkit-mail4.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 ) international bestseller The Cafe on the Edge of the World ( https://59b90e10.click.convertkit-mail4.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 ) A story about the meaning of life by John Strelecky Print ( https://59b90e10.click.convertkit-mail4.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 ). Audio ( https://59b90e10.click.convertkit-mail4.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 ) . Ebook ( https://59b90e10.click.convertkit-mail4.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 ) ( https://59b90e10.click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmu769opq8imhn9e363c6h8w8gd64sgh5o/3ohphkh3gwp402cr/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYW1hem9uLmNvbS9QdWRkbGUtSnVtcGVycy1TaW1wbGUtUHJvdmVuLUNvbmZpZGVudC9kcC9CMEZXWlpLSk42L3JlZj10bW1faHJkX3N3YXRjaF8w ) New Release! Puddle Jumpers ( https://59b90e10.click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmu769opq8imhn9e363c6h8w8gd64sgh5o/3ohphkh3gwp402cr/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYW1hem9uLmNvbS9QdWRkbGUtSnVtcGVycy1TaW1wbGUtUHJvdmVuLUNvbmZpZGVudC9kcC9CMEZXWlpLSk42L3JlZj10bW1faHJkX3N3YXRjaF8w ) Simple and proven ways to raise confident & joyful kids by Brandon Webb Print ( https://59b90e10.click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmu769opq8imhn9e363c6h8w8gd64sgh5o/3ohphkh3gwp402cr/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYW1hem9uLmNvbS9QdWRkbGUtSnVtcGVycy1TaW1wbGUtUHJvdmVuLUNvbmZpZGVudC9kcC9CMEZXWlpLSk42L3JlZj10bW1faHJkX3N3YXRjaF8w ). Audio ( https://59b90e10.click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmu769opq8imhn9e363c6h8w8gd64sgh5o/n2hohvhv0d76mgs6/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYW1hem9uLmNvbS9QdWRkbGUtSnVtcGVycy1TaW1wbGUtUHJvdmVuLUNvbmZpZGVudC9kcC9CMEZYSFA1QllGL3JlZj10bW1fYXVkX3N3YXRjaF8w ) . Ebook ( https://59b90e10.click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmu769opq8imhn9e363c6h8w8gd64sgh5o/48hvhehm8ox6vqax/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYW1hem9uLmNvbS9QdWRkbGUtSnVtcGVycy1TaW1wbGUtUHJvdmVuLUNvbmZpZGVudC1lYm9vay9kcC9CMEZYQkRCS01ZL3JlZj10bW1fa2luX3N3YXRjaF8w ) -------------------- Follow me on social: -------------------- ( https://59b90e10.click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmu769opq8imhn9e363c6h8w8gd64sgh5o/wnh2hghq6z0xn3a7/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9KYW1lc0NsZWFy ) ( https://59b90e10.click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmu769opq8imhn9e363c6h8w8gd64sgh5o/reh8hohmz86w45h2/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9qYW1lc2NsZWFyLw== ) ( https://59b90e10.click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmu769opq8imhn9e363c6h8w8gd64sgh5o/08hwh9h2r8lgvmsl/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGlua2VkaW4uY29tL2luL2phbWVzY2xlYXIv ) 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 ( https://59b90e10.click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmu769opq8imhn9e363c6h8w8gd64sgh5o/qvh5gko7h7hdpxkozril/aHR0cHM6Ly9qYW1lc2NsZWFyLmNvbS91bnN1YnNjcmliZS0zMjE= ), unsubscribe from all emails (including future book announcements) ( https://59b90e10.unsubscribe.convertkit-mail4.com/lmu769opq8imhn9e363c6h8w8gd64sgh5o ), or manage your subscriber profile ( https://preferences.convertkit-mail4.com/lmu769opq8imhn9e363c6h8w8gd64sgh5o ). Atomic Habits customers: Click here to learn how to redeem your purchase for free bonuses. ( https://59b90e10.click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmu769opq8imhn9e363c6h8w8gd64sgh5o/l2hehmhl7gx6e6a6/aHR0cHM6Ly9qYW1lc2NsZWFyLmNvbS9hdG9taWMtaGFiaXRzL2N1c3RvbWVy ) This will also remove you from any promotional emails for the book. 2935 E Main St. Unit #9361, Columbus, OH 43209