Most important decisions come down to a battle between different voices in our heads.⁠
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It feels like we’re being objective—weighing options, projecting possible futures, maximizing potential happiness.⁠
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But in reality: one part of you wants one thing; another part wants something different. Each comes forward with their own argument, drawing from their own selected memories, making their own assumptions, assigning their own probabilities to outcomes.⁠
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Two voices pleading their case before the judge.⁠
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Different voices may show up on different days, but one prominent seat is always saved for Fear, whose priority is survival. “Play it safe.” “Stay in your lane.” “Protect what’s yours.”⁠
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In opposition will be voices of curiosity, creativity, and play, who want to take chances and see what life has to offer. “Make that.” “Talk to them.” “Move there.”⁠
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No one voice is right. No one is wrong. They just represent different priorities.⁠
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The question isn’t: “what is best?” ⁠
It’s: “Who should I listen to?”⁠
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To answer that, ask yourself: which voice represents your priorities? If you want to be an artist; take chances; be open—side with the risk-taking voices and ignore the fear.⁠
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Don’t argue with fear.⁠
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Accept that it’s going to offer up its arguments every chance it gets. It will always have a seat at the table, and it will never change its priorities. ⁠
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Accept that you will always hear a defensible account of why you should play it safe. (Fear is as creative and skilled at debate as any other voice.)⁠
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Then side with the other voices. Trust the assumptions they make. Consider their optimistic projections. (They are no less based in reality than Fear’s—Fear just has the “objective & rational” persona nailed.)⁠
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It’s not about what’s best, what’s right.⁠
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It’s about whose story you’re going to believe. You choose who to listen to.