Think about a decision you have been putting off and challenge the ‘what ifs’ so that you can take action.

This exercise is Tim Ferriss’s antidote to fear of the unknown. He says that sometimes it just takes a piece of paper and a few questions to create a breakthrough. We often find that our fears are unfounded, and we have more to lose by staying with the status quo rather than moving on in a different direction. There may be very little risk and huge life-changing upside potential. Tim believes that defining fear = conquering fear and that we all have more options than we realize.

1. Write down a decision you are putting off which is holding you back.
   Does it align with your mission? What ‘what ifs’ are holding you hostage?

2. If left at the status quo, what will your life and stress look like in 6 months?
   In 1 year? In 3 years? Who around you will also suffer?

3. What is the best-case scenario? Is it likely to be temporary or permanent?
   How could you use a new lease on life? Would you like to work remotely or surf every day? It’s all possible. A best-case scenario, or even a probable-case scenario, may have a permanent 9 or 10 positive life-changing effect (where 0 is nil effect and 10 is a profound impact).

4. What are you afraid of? What do you have to lose? Is this likely to be temporary or permanent?
   Write down all your fears, dig deep. Even a so-called worst-case scenario might have a temporary impact of 3 or 4 out of 10 (ie. a mild setback that you can handle).

5. What are the steps you can take right now to move forward?
   Make that decision and start creating your new life now. If not now, when?