68 Shaolin monks, terror, and presenting

No. 68 – 20 Mar 2024

Welcome to the 68th edition of the True Progress Newsletter, a weekly newsletter on beating fear and anxiety for optimal performance.

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Article

Shaolin monks are some of the most mentally tough humans in the world. They finger-punch trees, shatter stones with their bare hands, and bend metal pipes with their heads. Their mental strength is deeply rooted in one specific physical discipline.

— Read more​

Quote

Jon Kabat-Zinn, on managing expectations:

"You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf."

Emotion Signpost

Neuroscience and brain-imaging research shows that properly naming an emotion is critical to managing and taming it.

It's key to decreasing fear and anxiety, becomes a pause for reflection, and increases understanding of yourself and others.

Here are 2 to explore:

Discouraged

Definition | Having lost confidence or enthusiasm; disheartened.

Example | Sarah refused to be discouraged from pursuing her dreams of becoming a successful entrepreneur.

Origin | From Old French descouragier, from des- (expressing reversal) + corage‘courage’.

Disengaged

Definition | Emotionally detached.

Example | During the meeting, it was evident that several team members were disengaged.

Origin | From Middle French, from des- dis- + engager to engage.

Question

Chances are you've read Atomic Habits by James Clear. Great book with a clear roadmap for habit development. However, science shows that breaking down all your habits into easy, frictionless actions may not be the best way to motivate you.

​Effort is the way. It produces dopamine. Dopamine makes you come back for more. When you're practicing anything, especially things you don't want to do because they scare you, effort is critical. Like public speaking or delivering a pitch to executives or investors.

The more you push yourself, the more dopamine you produce. The less effort you put in, the less motivated you become.

How can you infuse more effort into your life to keep you motivated?

Till next week,
— Carlos & Stef