Sitting in Da Nang Airport, Vietnam, I was wondering about risk.
We always attribute risk to action…
But what about inaction?
It’s an action too right — a choice to not do something, is a choice to remain somewhere too.
And there’s a huge cost we don’t notice — a risk perhaps as great as what we normally think “taking one” looks like.
Entertain this idea with me for a few minutes, and maybe it’ll change how you think about risk.
“Certainty Tax”
The comfort of guaranteed paths quietly charges interest. In time, optionality, and energy. You pay now so you won’t have to feel uncertainty — and perhaps lose the compounding that uncertainty buys.
There’s 3 key things you may be paying with:
Time Interest: months traded for credentials you don’t use.
Option Decay: narrowing into commodity lanes (harder to switch).
Energy Leakage: low-grade anxiety from misalignment that kills creative torque.
We’re so scared of taking 6 months off university, and “falling behind”…
But what about the 6 months you’ve traded to spend in more lecture halls, on a course you’re hoping will “get more interesting” next semester?
What about the decay of options as you coast down this road, in comparison to the explosion of choices after exploring a business idea you’ve had, or a working holiday?
What about your spark, which is slowly going out by a lack of doing things that align with you anymore?
It’s interesting to think about, all the things we don’t see as risks, and all the actions you can take to find clarity and meaning which are “risky”.
How to do your “Certainty Tax Return”:
Answer:
What are you doing each day out of fear of “falling behind” vs genuine alignment?
How curious are you each day?
What “safe” commitments of mine are not bringing anything to my life, and what could I replace it with that feels a bit bold?
Write down:
5 of your “safest” current habits, activities, studies (job, degree, co-curricular)
5 risks you could take right now in your current position that would propel you rapidly towards your dream lifestyle
Whether you did a little audit or not, take this away:
Safety has interest rates.
Just be aware of the consequences of inaction, if you’re going to stress out about “risky” action.
Hop on a call with me this week!
I’ve made a community. It’s in the works, and soon it’ll cost money.
But I’m putting the link here to make an account and enter 100% for free (no credit card or any BS just pls join and say hi)
This week, I’m hosting a live group call on there — answering questions and talking about figuring shit out. Would love to see you in there.
I’m also going to turn this into a new education / support system for young people. It’s kind of my life’s mission atm, so if you want to be one of the very first people to check it out, here’s your chance.
If you could pls shoot me a DM inside the community and give me some feedback on what you’d want to see in a new education system, once it goes live and costs money, I’ll keep u in for a month for free, and then give you like a stupid discount. Feedback is everything for making this a space that changes lives.
Thanks again <3
What I’m consuming:
My book, heh (read here for $5)
A great study/work playlist
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3JEaY6LJqetxMS0W3ET6V0?si=58cb72d70f9f4c18
Dr K podcast — Motivation
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3QeTOAnZ3ILJhB1usrXfW4?si=31f57329a76b4522
Have a killer week,
Sam
