A Google I/O talk from the perennially thought-provoking Tim Ferris:
The messages I took from watching this 5-minute talk:
1. Negative visualisation – “What fears are stopping you achieving what you desire?”
- assuming you took a bold move towards your ideal goal, list the potential areas for failure, and describe in detail the scary outcome
- for each outcome, rationally assess its
> probability
> level of impact
> longevity
- visualise success, describe the desired outcomes in detail
- assess the probability, impact, and longevity of the successful outcomes
- weigh the outcomes, make a rational choice
2. Rehearse negative scenarios - "Is this really the condition that I feared?"
- face your fears and see if they are as bad as you imagine
- experience them first-hand to see if you could hack it
- inoculate yourself against fear by knowing that you would survive and thrive in the worst-case scenario
Next steps:
- Put this system into practice
- Read Seneca, Cato, Marcus Aurelius
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