"The hero and the coward both feel the same thing, but the hero uses his fear, projects it onto his opponent, while the coward runs. It's the same thing, fear, but it's what you do with it that matter."
- Cus D'Amato
The Art of Fear Setting by Tim Ferriss.
To tap into your hero based mindset Ferriss created a form of goal setting that he coined Fear Setting.
Here are the three steps to create your hero based mindset:
1. Write down whatever you are afraid of. Once you write down what you are afraid of:
DEFINE it.
Describe at least 10 of the worst possible outcomes.
PREVENT it.
Write down ways you could prevent each worst possible outcome from happening.
REPAIR it.
Decide what is controllable / within your power to solve.
2. Write down the potential benefits of trying and/or succeeding at conquering your fears. Remember a small or big success is a success, so both should be recognized.
Take 10 to 15 minutes to do this section.
3. Write down what may happen if you do not attempt or partially succeed at conquering your fears.
4. If you avoid this action or decision, what might your life look like in, six months, 12 months, or three years? The more detail the better.
5. Like goal setting, Ferriss states that Fear Setting should be re-evaluated and adjusted every few months.
In the end, Ferriss attributes his biggest successes to, and biggest disasters avoided because of this process. He says, “By becoming familiar with your worst case scenarios, you begin to melt the fear holding you back.”