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3-2-1 On being busy vs being productive, deciding what to do, and agonizing over reversible decisions

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3-2-1
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I’ve been an admirer of James Clear’s writing and observational skills. This series is directly inspired by James Clear’s weekly 3-2-1 Thursday newsletter.

I do not yet have a fixed schedule, I will share whenever I gather enough content.

3 Ideas from me:
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I.
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Being busy is not necessarily being productive. We often mistake busyness for productivity and reward the busiest instead of the most effective.

II.
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When deciding if I should do something, I try to fit the activity in question into one of the three categories :

  1. Activities that are fun or promote personal growth
  2. The people with whom I perform the activities are fun or promote personal growth
  3. Activities that I have to perform out of necessity, like doing one’s taxes If it fits into all of the them, I know I hit the jackpot; if it fits into two, that’s still pretty good; if it fits into one, it is situational; if it fits into none, I just say no.

III.
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Very few decisions we make in life are actually irreversible. Yet, we often spend countless needless hours agonizing over decisions as if they are irreversible.

2 quotes from others:
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I.
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Author Morgan Housel on spending money:

There are two ways to use money. One is as a tool to live a better life. The other is as a yardstick of status to measure yourself against others. Many people aspire for the former but get caught up chasing the latter.

II.
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Author Adam Grant on talent and opportunity:

Talent is evenly distributed, opportunities are not.

1 question for you:
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I.
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What’s the single proudest thing you’ve done with money?