Watch This if you are Avoiding Work, Taking Risks, or have FEAR

Summary

In this video, the speaker discusses the concept of risk and fear, emphasizing the importance of understanding and distinguishing between regular and catastrophic risks. The speaker introduces 'fear setting,' a technique for evaluating and mitigating risks, inspired by Tim Ferriss. Through an example of learning Jiu-Jitsu, the speaker illustrates how to assess worst and best-case scenarios and how to mitigate fear-based assumptions. Additionally, the video touches on the psychology of avoiding pain and the challenges of staying productive. The overall message encourages viewers to confront their fears and push through discomfort for greater rewards in life and work.

Takeaways

• 😀 Risk is defined as taking a chance with potential negative and positive outcomes, but it is important to distinguish between normal risk and catastrophic risk.
• 😀 Catastrophic risk refers to situations that permanently alter your life negatively, while regular risks can usually be bounced back from.
• 😀 Many people mistake regular risks for catastrophic risks. Most life situations are not catastrophic and can be overcome.
• 😀 To evaluate risks, use the technique called 'fear setting,' which helps mitigate the fear of taking risks by breaking down worst and best case scenarios.
• 😀 Fear setting involves identifying the worst-case scenario, determining if it’s realistic, and finding ways to mitigate the risk or learn from the experience.
• 😀 Regular physical activity, like Jiu-Jitsu, can have numerous benefits like fitness, community, and confidence, even if there are risks like injury.
• 😀 In fear setting, the goal is to reduce catastrophic risks to manageable levels by preparing in advance and knowing how to prevent or respond to them.
• 😀 Regular work tasks and decisions often have a risk-reward asymmetry, where the pain of doing hard work upfront leads to greater rewards in the long term.
• 😀 The brain is naturally wired to avoid pain and discomfort, which is why procrastination occurs when faced with difficult tasks or decisions.
• 😀 To overcome the brain's tendency to avoid discomfort, you must consciously train yourself to push through the discomfort of hard work by creating structured environments that limit distractions.
• 😀 Internalizing the concept that your brain avoids pain can help you better recognize and control your avoidance behavior, ultimately leading to more productivity and progress.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the video?

The primary focus of the video is about addressing fear and risk, particularly in relation to taking action towards achieving goals, and how to overcome the mental barriers that prevent people from taking risks.

What is the difference between normal risk and catastrophic risk?

Normal risk is any kind of risk where the consequences are manageable, and you can recover from it. Catastrophic risk, on the other hand, refers to risks that have irreversible, mostly negative consequences that permanently alter your life.

How does the speaker classify risks when making decisions?

The speaker differentiates between regular risks and catastrophic risks. Regular risks are common in life and work, while catastrophic risks are extreme and usually involve life-altering consequences. The speaker emphasizes that most decisions we make, such as in business or relationships, are not catastrophic and can be recovered from.

What technique does the speaker recommend for dealing with fear and risk?

The speaker recommends using 'fear setting,' a technique introduced by Tim Ferriss. This involves writing down the worst-case scenario, the best-case scenario, evaluating the likelihood of both, and understanding how to mitigate or learn from the worst outcomes.

What is the first step in the fear setting exercise?

The first step in fear setting is to write down the worst-case scenario or goal you're considering. Be specific and honest about what is keeping you from taking action, and what the absolute worst outcome could be.

How does the speaker apply the fear setting exercise to starting Jiu-Jitsu?

The speaker applies the fear setting exercise by considering the worst-case scenario of getting injured while practicing Jiu-Jitsu. They identify the potential injury risks, determine how likely they are, and explore ways to mitigate them (e.g., training with higher-level belts, going slower, or learning to tap out quickly).

What is the benefit of using the fear setting exercise according to the speaker?

The benefit of the fear setting exercise is that it helps you separate realistic fears from assumptions, evaluate possible risks more clearly, and ultimately make decisions that align with your goals while minimizing unnecessary fear and anxiety.

How does the speaker suggest dealing with regular day-to-day work challenges?

For day-to-day work, the speaker introduces the concept of risk-reward asymmetry. This means understanding that the rewards from taking risks or doing difficult tasks often outweigh the initial discomfort or pain involved in the process.

What role does the brain's tendency to avoid pain play in accomplishing tasks?

The brain's default mode is to avoid pain, which often leads to procrastination or avoidance of difficult tasks. The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding this tendency and pushing through the discomfort to reap the long-term rewards of hard work and risk-taking.

How can external tools help combat the brain's desire to avoid pain?

The speaker suggests using tools like work timers, removing distractions, and setting up environments where avoiding pain (e.g., by browsing social media) is difficult. These tools help force you to confront discomfort and stay focused on your tasks.