The 20 Seconds of Braveness Problem

As a part of my operation “Revisit the previous 15 years of Nerd Health,” and after writing about our By no means 2 in a Row Rule, I up to date one of the fashionable posts and concepts I’ve ever put collectively:

20 Seconds of Braveness.

What began as an obscure line from an obscure Matt Damon film, We Purchased a Zoo, has since turn into a rallying cry for the Nerd Health Riot, our neighborhood of nerds.

Be happy to learn the complete article, however right here’s the quote from the film, the place Matt Damon is recounting to his son how he used 20 seconds of braveness to fulfill his spouse:

You recognize, generally all you want is 20 seconds of insane braveness, simply actually 20 seconds of embarrassing bravery, and I promise you one thing nice will come of it.

Our lives are made up of a ton of fast actions that usually take far lower than 20 seconds. Beginning a dialog. Strolling by means of a door to the gymnasium. Deciding the place to take a seat in a restaurant.

And since we’ve made so many of those choices, there’s a ton of inertia and historical past which may make us suppose we’re incapable of change.

Nonetheless, as Alan Watts factors out, “you might be below no obligation to be who you have been 5 minutes in the past.”

And as my buddy Tim City from Wait However Why shares, the paths behind us is likely to be closed, however we all the time have decisions transferring ahead:

Use 20 Seconds of Braveness to Do Exhausting Issues

Brandon Sanderson gave an incredible digital speak throughout the pandemic about doing onerous issues. He encourages us to undertake the next mentality moderately than simply “hope issues will work out!”:

“I can do onerous issues. Doing onerous issues has intrinsic worth, and they’ll make me a greater individual, even when I find yourself failing.”

And generally we would must do a tough factor that’s scary. Whether or not it’s becoming a member of a gymnasium or standing up for your self at work, or lastly setting boundaries with your loved ones…

It’s okay for those who’re scared, by the way in which.

Doing scary issues is hard, and we’re wired to belief our fears and keep away from scary eventualities, which has stored us alive for tons of of 1000’s of years as a species.

However doing onerous issues is often a prerequisite for change, and our worry usually doesn’t match the fact of the occasion itself.

As Seneca shares in his letter to Lucilius:

“There are extra issues, Lucilius, prone to frighten us than there are to crush us; we endure extra usually in creativeness than in actuality.”

Which is the place 20 seconds of braveness is available in!

I feel this quote from Jerzy Gregorek paints an fascinating image:

“Simple decisions, onerous life. Exhausting decisions, simple life.”

Change can occur instantly, and your life’s path can change because of any single choice you make.

Right here’s take part:

Choose one thing you wish to do however have been too scared to aim.
Freak the F out earlier than you do the factor.
Muster up 20 seconds of braveness and take that one motion.
Pee your pants after (elective).

And listed below are some prompts to get you began:

Saying sure to one thing you’d usually say no to.
Going to part of the gymnasium that you just’re afraid of.
Establishing boundaries with your loved ones.
Having an uncomfortable dialog.
Speaking to an entire stranger.
Taking extra initiative at work.
Signing up for a brand new class.
Standing up for your self.
Main a military of Transformers in opposition to the Decepticons.

Attempt it this week, and let me know the way it seems!

-Steve

Tags: Challenge, Courage, Seconds

The 20 Seconds of Braveness Problem

Use 20 Seconds of Braveness to Do Exhausting Issues