Fear Signals Importance and Agency

We’re closing out the year with a special highlight reel from some of Jay Papasan’s favorite conversations of 2025, all centered on two big themes: taking action and sustaining action.

On the “taking action” side, Jenny Wood reframes fear as a signal of agency, Pat Flynn walks us through his “DeLorean” future-casting exercise, and Sahil Bloom challenges us to let our calendars prove what truly matters. Morgan Housel explores defining “enough” beyond money, Brandon Turner breaks big dreams into MINS—most important next steps—and Anne-Laure invites us to lower the stakes with tiny experiments instead of perfectionism.

On the “sustaining action” side, Coach Jordan Freed shares his awareness–agency–accountability cycle, Chris explains why self-care is a strategy (not selfish), Dr. Robin Hanley-Defoe shows how to process emotion in real time, and Liz Bohannon gives us a practical path to building real community.

Revisit the moments that moved you most, then dive into the full episodes linked in the show notes to go deeper and share them with someone who needs them.

Challenge of the Week:

Pick one lesson from this episode and turn it into a simple daily practice for the next week.

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To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods.

We talk about:

• [00:00] Why This Episode Exists and What We’re Reflecting On

• [01:44] Fear as a Compass and a Source of Agency (Jenny Wood)

• [06:01] Using the DeLorean Exercise to Gain Perspective

• [09:31] What Would a Stranger Say About Your Priorities (Sahil Bloom)

• [12:05] Defining Enough Beyond Money

• [14:29] What Is the Most Important Next Step (MINS)

• [17:21] Why Consistency Is Intensity (Gary Keller)

• [21:20] Lowering the Stakes with Tiny Experiments (Anne-Laure Le Cunff)

• [24:51] How Long Success Really Takes (Dorie Clark)

• [30:11]  Why Self-Care Is a Strategy, Not a Reward (Chris, The Long Haul Leader)

• [34:04] Processing Emotion Instead of Carrying It (Dr. Robin Hanley-Defoe)

• [37:26] Building Community Through Consistent Rhythms

• [42:53] Choosing One Lesson and Carrying It Forward

Links & Tools from This Episode:

• The Unconventional Traits That Fast-Track Success | Jenny Wood and Jay Papasan

• Why Smart People Stay Stuck in "Getting Ready" Mode | Pat Flynn & Jay Papasan

• Define Success on Your Own Terms | Sahil Bloom & Jay Papasan

• The Art of Spending Money (And Why Most of Us Get It Wrong) | Morgan Housel & Jay Papasan

• How to 6X Your Goals Using The ONE Thing | Jay Papasan & Brandon Turner

• Tiny Experiments: The Neuroscience of Getting Unstuck | Anne-Laure Le Cunff and Jay Papasan

• The Way: 5 Principles That Create Extraordinary Results | Gary Keller & Jay Papasan

• The 10 BOLD Truths for Building an Amazing Life | Gary Keller & Jay Papasan

• How to Win The Long Game (When Everyone Else Plays Short) | Jay Papasan & Dorie Clark

• The 4 Hidden Thieves Destroying Your Productivity | Jay Papasan & Jordan Freed

• How to Lead for the Long Haul Without Burning Out | Jay Papasan & Chris Ducker

• Why High Achievers Burn Out (and What to Do About It)

• Leadership’s Hidden Cost: Loneliness - And How to Build Real Community | Jay Papasan & Liz Bohannon

• Free Resources

• Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email podcast@the1thing.com or send us an audio note at Speakpipe.com/the1thing.

Produced by NOVA