Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World

Grant opens his final chapter with an account of Lewis Pugh, a lawyer who attempted the longest swim across the North Pole. Having completed cold-water swims for decades, Pugh developed a special type of physiological conditioning that allowed his body to raise its temperature in anticipation of cold water. Grant cites psychologist Julie Norem’s two strategies for managing the stress of great challenges: “strategic optimism and defensive pessimism” (182). Norem argues that both strategies perform about the same under pressure. Defensive pessimism is often seen as a disadvantage, but it can be useful in managing the anxiety of specific situations. Imagining the worst allows one to emotionally prepare for it and maintain a sense of control over a given situation. Pugh was motivated by his own doubt and pessimism as well as those of others to do the seemingly impossible.

Grant advocates converting fear, as simply labelling one’s fear as excitement is effective at lessening anxiety before speeches and similar tasks. Rather than forcing oneself to calm down, the idea is to become enthusiastic about a given situation instead. Grant clarifies that this approach is best used before a course of action has been decided to give oneself the push needed to move forward.