A complex system designed from scratch never works and cannot be made to work. You have to start over, begin with a simple working system!

Enhancing systems versus building from scratch

<h2>3 IDEAS FROM ME</h2>I.“In school, you are graded on every test—even if it's your weakest subject.In life, you can choose the tests you take—even if they always play to your strengths.Maintain a baseline so your weak areas don't hold you back, but design your life so you are graded on your strengths.”​II.“One roadblock almost never ruins you.There might not be 1000 ways to accomplish something, but there is almost always more than one way.Know what you want. Be flexible about how to get there.”III.“The gift of a beginner is fresh eyes.The longer you're in a field, the harder it is to perceive new truths. Your mind is biased toward refining what you're already doing instead of exploring fresh terrain.Take your expertise and apply it to something new.”<h2>2 QUOTES FROM OTHERS</h2>I.Holocaust survivor and teacher, Helen Fagin, on the power of hope:“There are times when dreams sustain us more than facts.”​II.John Gall, a physician and author, on the importance of enhancing what already works rather than starting from scratch:“A complex system that works is invariably found to have evolved from a simple system that worked. The inverse proposition also appears to be true: A complex system designed from scratch never works and cannot be made to work. You have to start over, beginning with a working simple system.”<h2>1 QUESTION FOR YOU</h2>What's one decision you can make today that will save you from making ten more decisions in the future? Make the choice that eliminates other choices.Until next week,James Clear Author of the #1 worldwide bestseller, <a href="https://atomichabits.com/" dir="ltr">Atomic Habits</a>​ Creator of the <a href="https://jamesclear.com/habit-journal" dir="ltr">Habit Journal</a>​​<h2>Join Me</h2>Thanks for reading. You can get more actionable ideas in my popular email newsletter. Each week, I share 3 short ideas from me, 2 quotes from others, and 1 question to think about. Over 1,000,000 people subscribe. Enter your email now and join us.<div data-element="fields" data-stacked="false"><button data-element="submit">Try the free newsletter</button></div><div dir="ltr">P.S. Want short reminders on how to build better habits? Follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/jamesclear" dir="ltr">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jamesclear/" dir="ltr">Instagram</a>.</div><div dir="ltr">


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“In school, you are graded on every test—even if it's your weakest subject.

In life, you can choose the tests you take—even if they always play to your strengths.

Maintain a baseline so your weak areas don't hold you back, but design your life so you are graded on your strengths.”

“One roadblock almost never ruins you.

There might not be 1000 ways to accomplish something, but there is almost always more than one way.

Know what you want. Be flexible about how to get there.”

“The gift of a beginner is fresh eyes.

The longer you're in a field, the harder it is to perceive new truths. Your mind is biased toward refining what you're already doing instead of exploring fresh terrain.

Take your expertise and apply it to something new.”

Holocaust survivor and teacher, Helen Fagin, on the power of hope:

“There are times when dreams sustain us more than facts.”

John Gall , a physician and author, on the importance of enhancing what already works rather than starting from scratch:

“A complex system that works is invariably found to have evolved from a simple system that worked. The inverse proposition also appears to be true: A complex system designed from scratch never works and cannot be made to work. You have to start over, beginning with a working simple system.”

What's one decision you can make today that will save you from making ten more decisions in the future? Make the choice that eliminates other choices.

James Clear Author of the #1 worldwide bestseller, <a href="https://atomichabits.com/">Atomic Habits </a>​ Creator of the <a href="https://jamesclear.com/habit-journal">Habit Journal </a>​

Thanks for reading. You can get more actionable ideas in my popular email newsletter. Each week, I share 3 short ideas from me, 2 quotes from others, and 1 question to think about. Over 1,000,000 people subscribe . Enter your email now and join us.

The 3-2-1 Newsletter is one of the most popular newsletters in the world. Over 1,000,000 people subscribe. Each issue contains 3 short ideas from James Clear, 2 quotes from other people, and 1 question for you.

3-2-1: Playing to your strengths, cultivating a beginner's mindset, and the power of hope

SYSTEMATICS

Tuan Dinh's ideas are part of this journey:

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