This Used to Be You
Want more actionable ideas every week?
Join millions of readers and subscribe to Your Next Breakthrough newsletter below.
Your information is protected and I never spam, ever. You can view my privacy policy here.
In 2012, a group of neuroscientists at NYU discovered something about teenagers that explains why most adults feel stuck.
The researchers asked people from ages 12-17 and 30-50 to make a simple choice:
Take a guaranteed $5, or gamble on a mystery lottery that might pay more… or might pay nothing.
Sometimes, the odds were clear.
Other times, the screen just showed a question mark.
When the risks were clear, teenagers played it safe. But when the odds were unknown, teens were far more likely than adults to take the gamble.
When the research team plotted the data points, every teenager landed above the adult range.
Not most. Not “the majority.” Every single one.
Without exception, teenagers were more comfortable with ambiguity than their adult counterparts.
That used to be you.
But somewhere along the way to adulthood, you started to fear the fog of uncertainty more than the guaranteed mediocrity of staying put.
So you started to weigh every decision against spreadsheets, statistics, and some story you made up in the shower… And you got stuck.
The problem is: the people who thrive today are the ones who can keep going when the path isn’t visible—not the ones who plot the perfect plans.
Because, frankly, life doesn’t give a fuck about your plans.
It rewards action. It rewards momentum. It rewards being completely okay if something goes wrong. Not waiting for the bean counters to tell you when it’s going to be all right.
And that unwillingness to live in uncertainty: that is what holds you back.
See you Monday,
Mark Manson
#1 New York Times Bestselling Author
My Website – My Books – My YouTube Channel – My Podcast – My App