Reading — The Joyful Guardian

The Joyful GuardianWalk Toward It · Rule 6

Walk Toward It

Rule 6Chapter II

Move toward the thing that frightens you at the same pace you would move toward a friend.

Why this rule exists

Fear does not usually stop you outright; it slows you down, and the slowing is what does the damage. The unanswered email grows, the difficult conversation calcifies, the small problem becomes the expensive one. Matching your normal pace strips the dread of the time it needs to grow.

The Joyful Guardian

In practice

When you notice yourself finding reasons to do the frightening thing later, set the same timeline you would for something ordinary — today, this afternoon, the next time you see them. Make the call, open the file, walk into the room at a normal speed. Keep your voice at its normal volume when you get there; the body follows the pace you set.

When it doesn't apply

Some things are frightening because they are genuinely dangerous or irreversible, and there speed is the enemy — a resignation, a public accusation, a large sum of money. Distinguish fear of discomfort from fear of consequence, and sleep on the second one.

Keep reading

9 of 39 · 21%