How I Stopped Worrying

Worrying is optional (+ Persuasion Bonus)

I used to worry every day, but then I discovered a powerful truth:

To worry is to assume you can predict the future.

And not only that, a negative future. But according to Nassim Taleb, former Wall St. trader and NYT best-selling author, humans aren't very talented at predicting the future. (Thanks to human nature, black swan events, and flawed modeling)

Nassim Taleb — Philosopher, Dead Lifter

Once I discovered that, I decided I'd stop worrying.

At first, it was hard because I was used to worrying. But over time, I got better at it. Now my new habit is to not worry.

But if you still worry, it's not your fault.

Society has brainwashed us to accept worrying as something natural. It's not. And our worries are not reality. They're a harmful filter we put over reality.

I'll end with a quote from Elon's infamous Joe Rogan episode,

“I’d rather be optimistic and wrong than pessimistic and right.”

And this cool chart from my girlfriend Özgür:

Lastly, we always have two choices:

1. Accept

2. Improve

Anything else is self destruction.

This is what’s been on my mind lately. I hope it’s helpful to you.

P.S. Persuasion Bonus

If you’re interested in persuasion, here is a fantastic Twitter thread about one of the world’s greatest copywriters:

Kieran Drew @ItsKieranDrew

3 months ago, one of the world’s greatest copywriters passed away. But his ideas have changed the marketing world forever. Here’re Joe Sugarman’s 7 secrets of persuasive copy you can use to quickly 10x your writing: