Hey there 👋,

A few weeks ago, I sat down with a notebook, a pen, and one of Tim Ferriss’s most impactful tools: the Fear-Setting Exercise.

I was on the edge of taking a big leap, starting my own SaaS project (more on that later 😉) and this exercise gave me the clarity and courage to take action.

In today’s email, I’m going to show you how this powerful method works and why it’s worth trying, especially if fear is holding you back from starting something new.

Fear Is the #1 Dream Killer (And It Stops 70% of People Before They Even Start)

Fear isn’t just an emotion, it’s the biggest reason why most people never take the first step toward their dreams. Nearly 70% of people let fear of failure hold them back from pursuing their goals.

But fear doesn’t just show up as failure, it disguises itself in different ways:

• Fear of Failing: What if I give it my all and still fail?
• Fear of Looking Foolish: What will people say if I don’t succeed?
• Fear of the Unknown: It’s scary to take a leap when you can’t see the whole path.
• Fear of Regret: What if I waste time and end up with nothing?

The truth? These fears are valid, but they’re not undefeatable. And with the Fear-Setting Exercise, you can learn how to confront them head-on and turn them into stepping stones for growth.

Here’s how you can do it step by step:

Step 1: What’s the Worst That Could Happen?

Start by asking yourself:

What is the absolute worst thing that will happen if I… [the thing you fear doing]?

💡 Write down 10-20 worst-case scenarios. Really catastrophize here, it’s important to get it all out on paper.

Step 2: How Can I Prevent It?

For each worst-case scenario, ask yourself:

What can I do to prevent this from happening?

💡 Example: If you’re worried about looking foolish, you can prepare more thoroughly, seek feedback, or start small to minimize risks.

Step 3: What If It Happens Anyway?

Now, think about what you would do if the worst-case scenario actually happened.

How can I repair the damage if this fear becomes reality?

💡 Example: If your project doesn’t succeed, could you pivot, try again, or learn from the experience? Most failures aren’t final, they’re just steps toward success.

Step 4: What Are the Benefits of Trying?

Even if you don’t succeed fully, ask yourself:

What are the benefits of an attempt or partial success?

💡 Example: You might gain skills, expand your network, or build confidence to try again.

Step 5: What Happens If You Don’t Do It?

Finally, consider this:

If I don’t take this leap, what will my life look like in 6 months, 1 year, or 3 years?

💡 This question can be a game-changer. Often, the pain of staying stuck is far worse than the fear of trying something new.

Take the Leap

The Fear-Setting Exercise isn’t about eliminating fear, it’s about understanding and reframing it. When I did this for my SaaS project, it helped me see that even the worst-case scenarios weren’t so bad. And knowing that gave me the strength to start.

So, what’s the one thing you’ve been putting off because of fear?

Grab a pen, try this exercise, and see what changes for you.

Let me know how it goes, I’d love to hear your experience!

Cheers, 🍻

Lucien

‍