James Clear
— Top 10 —

Six years ago, we held a leadership conference with a number of outside speakers.

James Clear had the fastest growing blog in the world at the time, and gave a powerful presentation. It’s one of our top three most watched PGC videos of all time, watch it here.

His approach is unmatched, his mind is sharp, and his current “3-2-1” newsletter is one of the best weekly reads on the internet.

As James Clear fans, we’ve read every “3-2-1” edition to date and curated the top 10 best thoughts for coaches and players.

Let’s dive in.

1. On confidence & self-doubt:

Merely believing you deserve something doesn’t make it a reality.

But believing you don’t deserve something will prevent you from trying.

Most people are capable of more than they believe.

Confidence won’t automatically get you results, but self-doubt sets your ceiling.

2. Choose your people.

To be in the top 1% of your particular domain, you can’t take cues from & follow the social norms of the 99%.

It’s harder than it sounds. We’re wired to imitate.

The further you want to climb, the more carefully you need to construct your tribe.

3. Consistency vs. Intensity

Most people need consistency more than they need intensity.

Intensity: run a marathon or write a book in 30 days.

Consistency: don’t miss a workout for two years or write every week.

Intensity makes a good story. Consistency makes progress.

4. Balance is timing, not intensity.

It is not doing multiple tasks at 80%, but developing the skill of turning it on and turning it off.

Sleep fully, then work intensely. Focus deeply, then relax completely.

Give each phase your full attention.

5. You hold the right to effort, not results.

You always hold the rights to your effort, but never results.

Results are entitled to no one. At best, they are on loan and must be renewed each day.

All you own is the right to try.

6. On giving feedback:

When feedback is immediate, clear, and concrete, people learn quickly.

When feedback is delayed, abstract, and opaque, people rarely learn.

7. Ignore. Unfollow. Abandon.

Ignore topics that drain your attention. Unfollow people that drain your energy. Abandon projects that drain your time.

Do not keep up with it all.

The more selectively ignorant you become, the more broadly knowledgeable you can be.

8. Motion vs. Progress

Motion – talk to a personal trainer. Research your book idea. Explore different types of meditation.

Action – do 10 squats. Write 1 sentence. meditate for 1 minute.

Motion feels like progress. Action is progress.

9. To achieve exceptional results:

1. Quantity – you take a lot of shots

2. Quality – you take thoughtful shots

3. Consistency – you keep shooting for a long time

4. Feedback – you take better shots over time

5. Luck – you get a few favorable bounces.

10. Build your identity.

Your identity can hold you back. I’m terrible with directions. I have a sweet tooth. I’m bad at math.

Or it can build you up.

I’m the type of person who doesn’t miss workouts. I finish what I start.

Build habits that reinforce your desired identity.

And because at PGC we believe in always doing more than our share – here’s one more.

11. Being yourself is a continuous effort.

There is always another expectation placed upon you, another person pulling you toward their preferences, another nudge from society to act a certain way.

It’s a daily battle to be yourself, not merely what the world wants you to be.”

We hope this inspired you! If it did, send it to someone in your circle who’d benefit!

Next Steps: Now that you’ve read our Top 10 from James Clear, watch his talk about The Surprising Power of Small Habits.