"Fear is a liar. Choose courage instead." - Futurist Jim Carroll
Today I want to write about resilience - why it's important, and why chasing resilience instead of giving in to fear is too important.
To do that, though, I need to tell you how I got to today's quote. I quite like it!
Part of the art of learning how to thrive in the future involves learning as much as you can about the tools of tomorrow. When it comes to AI, it means working hard to learn how to use the tools of AI - not just talking and writing about them.
With that being the case, I've been spending quite a bit of time using Google Notebook LLM - it's become apparent to me that it's one of the best tools to use to go through vast volumes of information and synthesize useful results. One thing I've been doing is to use it to query and structure insight from the over 3,000 Daily Inspiration posts I've written since 2016.
The tool is providing me with all kinds of useful data and insight into my very own insight. For example, I asked it what I had to say about the topic of resilience, which I think is a very important attribute in the very complex days ahead.
The answer seemed reasonably intelligent:
Jim Carroll believes resilience is about bouncing back with the courage of conviction]. He says people must jealously guard and protect their optimism and battle any inclinations toward negativity. It is also important to be cautious with the edges of reality and not to discount or dismiss ideas you do not understand.
Carroll believes people should never let a setback set them back and focus on moving forward. He says that innovators, disruptors, and those who imagine great things for the future will be surrounded by people who will try to destroy their progress. He stresses the importance of using the words that define the attitude needed to go in the right direction, such as:
Perseverance
Determination
Fortitude
Persistence
Resolve
Carroll also argues that people should not dwell on their failures or losses but instead focus on what they could win. They should stop thinking about going back to where they were and instead think about where they could be going.
He emphasizes that time moves on and so should people.
Carroll believes that the strength of success is defined by how quickly one gets back up to fight for the win and not how slowly one deals with a loss. He encourages people to keep going because their real strength is derived from what they have and not from what they have lost.
I couldn't have said it better myself! (-;
Going further, I then asked myself to generate 10 inspirational posts from my material. The response I got was somewhat magical:
Here are 10 resilience quotes, inspired by Jim Carroll's perspective, using 10 words or less.
- Guard your optimism, battle negativity.
- Broken today, stronger tomorrow. Keep going.
- Embrace change, find your faster self.
- Resilience: Courage to bounce back, always.
- Turn setbacks into fuel for the future.
- Don't just recover, reinvent and rise.
- Persistence: The art of never giving up.
- Find strength in what you have, not losses.
- Embrace uncertainty, it breeds opportunity.
- Fear is a liar. Choose courage instead.
That's pretty good! I could have used any one of these, but I really liked the last one.
So how did it come up with the 'fear is a liar' idea? Let's ask it!
"You previously provided the quote "Fear is a liar. Choose courage instead" in a list of 10 inspirational quotes you created from Jim's material on the topic of resilience. Explain this quote further in the context of his material.
The full response that came back is found below, but in a nutshell: fear is a barrier to progress. It distorts reality. Fear sets you back while courage is a catalyst for growth - and courage is necessary in the face of uncertainty. Courage gives you the ability to act! And the bottom line? I liked this: "Carroll's philosophy emphasizes that resilience is not the absence of fear, but the ability to act despite it."
One thing I keep explaining on stage is that while people might not lose their jobs to an AI, they might lose their jobs to someone who is using AI more effectively than they are. I'm testing this theory by doing everything I can to understand the tools and the unique power of insight they can provide.
And getting some darned good results!
Remember, in these complex days, fear is a liar.
Choose courage instead!
The Lie of Fear and the Power of Courage
The quote "Fear is a liar. Choose courage instead" encapsulates a core element of Jim Carroll's philosophy on resilience. This statement encourages individuals to confront and overcome their fears, recognizing that fear often distorts reality and hinders progress. By choosing courage, individuals can break free from the limitations imposed by fear and unlock their true potential.
- Fear as a Barrier to Progress: The sources highlight how fear can be a significant obstacle to personal and organizational growth. Fear can paralyze individuals, preventing them from taking risks, embracing new ideas, and adapting to change. Carroll emphasizes that in a world of rapid transformation, succumbing to fear can lead to stagnation and missed opportunities. For instance, he observes that many companies cling to their legacy out of fear of change, assuming past success guarantees future survival. He argues that this fear-driven attachment to the status quo can be detrimental, preventing companies from embracing the transformative innovation necessary to thrive in a dynamic marketplace.
- Fear as a Distorter of Reality: Carroll suggests that fear often presents a distorted view of reality. He argues that fear magnifies risks, amplifies potential threats, and diminishes one's perception of their own capabilities. This distorted perspective can lead to a sense of helplessness and inaction, preventing individuals from recognizing and seizing opportunities.
- Courage as a Catalyst for Growth: In contrast to fear, Carroll positions courage as a powerful catalyst for growth and resilience. He emphasizes the importance of individuals and organizations developing the "courage of conviction" to face challenges, embrace uncertainty, and pursue bold ideas. This courage involves not only confronting external obstacles but also overcoming the internal barriers created by fear and doubt. For instance, he highlights the need to "jealously guard and protect optimism" and "battle any inclinations toward negativity". This internal battle against fear and negativity is essential for fostering resilience and driving progress.
- Courage in the Face of Uncertainty: Carroll acknowledges that the future is inherently uncertain and unpredictable. He argues that this uncertainty, rather than being a source of paralysis, should be seen as an opportunity for innovation and growth. He encourages individuals and companies to embrace uncertainty, challenge assumptions, and take risks, even when the outcome is unknown. This willingness to venture into the unknown, fueled by courage, is what separates innovators from those who cling to the familiar and fear change.
- Courage to Act: Carroll repeatedly stresses the importance of action over inaction. He emphasizes that procrastination and indecision are the enemies of progress, particularly in a fast-paced world. He argues that even in the face of uncertainty and complexity, it is crucial to act, to experiment, and to learn from experiences. He champions the idea of "experiential capital," arguing that individuals and organizations should engage in activities with uncertain outcomes to build experience, adaptability, and resilience. By taking action, embracing failure as a learning opportunity, and developing "experiential capital," individuals and organizations can navigate the challenges of a rapidly changing world with greater courage and resilience.
Carroll's philosophy emphasizes that resilience is not the absence of fear, but the ability to act despite it. By choosing courage over fear, individuals and organizations can confront challenges, embrace uncertainty, and unlock their potential for innovation and growth. The quote "Fear is a liar. Choose courage instead" serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of courage in navigating the complexities of a rapidly changing world.
Futurist Jim Carroll has written a lot in his Daily Inspiration posts over the last 8 years. He’s become fascinated by learning about what he has learned.