Synopsis
We label ourselves as "stressed" when we are actually just backlogged. Avoidance is the act of accumulating debt—emotional, logistical, and relational. This episode distinguishes between the fear of *doing* the thing and the pain of *not doing* the thing.
System Updates (Key Takeaways)
- Anxiety is unmade decisions: The background hum of stress is usually your RAM overloaded with open loops.
- The Action Protocol: You cannot think your way into a new way of acting; you must act your way into a new way of thinking.
- Pain Dispersal: The pain of doing it is acute but short. The pain of avoiding it is chronic and endless.
The Uncomfortable Questions
- What is the specific conversation I am dreading right now?
- If I knew the outcome would be neutral, would I have already done it?
- How much energy am I spending *managing* my delay rather than executing the task?
Reflection Protocol
"Do the hard thing first. The rest of the day is a downhill slope."