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The Art of Influence Without Authority
In 1972, NASA engineer Roger Boisjoly warned that the O-ring seals on the Space Shuttle Challenger could fail in cold weather. He wrote memos. He argued in meetings. He tried to stop the launch.
He could not.
Boisjoly had the facts, but he did not have the influence to move the people who had the power to act. Thirteen years later, Challenger broke apart 73 seconds after liftoff.
That is the central frustration of modern work. You can see the problem clearly. You may understand it better than anyone else in the room. But you have no direct reports, no formal mandate, and no title strong enough to force a decision. So the work stalls.
This problem matters more than ever because most organizations now run on interdependence. Work moves across functions. Attention is fragmented. Knowledge is scattered. Even senior leaders rarely hold the full picture. In that kind of environment, authority still matters, but it is no longer enough. The people who move things forward are usually the ones who can influence without relying on rank.
Influence without authority is not office politics. It is not charm. It is not performative confidence. It is a practical skill. You earn trust, frame decisions well, and help other people say yes for their own reasons.
Here is a useful way to think about it: influence is less about pushing harder and more about building the conditions that make agreement easier.
1. Build credibility before the moment of need
Carmen Medina learned this the hard way.
After returning from an overseas assignment in the early 1990s, the CIA analyst saw that intelligence agencies were still sharing information through printed reports. It was slow, siloed, and badly suited for a world that was changing quickly. She pushed for digital information sharing long before the idea was culturally acceptable inside the institution.
Her logic was strong. Her timing was terrible.
Colleagues dismissed the idea as risky. The harder she pushed, the more isolated she became. Eventually she realized the problem was not just the proposal. It was the account she was trying to draw from. She was asking people to follow her on a big, uncomfortable change before she had built enough trust with them.
So she changed approach. Instead of fighting from the edge, she built credibility from inside the system. She took a less glamorous role in information security, did the work well, and made herself consistently reliable. Over time, people saw her judgment firsthand. Years later, when she championed Intellipedia, the environment had changed, but so had her standing inside it. This time, people listened.
That is how influence usually works. People describe it as persuasion in the moment, but the deeper reality is simpler: you can rarely borrow trust you have not already earned.
Psychologist Edwin Hollander called these reserves idiosyncrasy credits. In plain English, they are the deposits you make when you deliver good work, stay steady under pressure, and prove that your judgment can be trusted. When a difficult moment comes, those deposits matter.
The practical lesson is straightforward. Do not wait until a high-stakes conversation to start building influence. Reliability is not separate from influence. Reliability is where influence begins.
Takeaway: Influence is rarely created in the meeting where you need it most. It is built in the months before that meeting happens.
2. Stop trying to win arguments and start making trades
Many people think influence means having the best case. In practice, it often means understanding what the other person values well enough to structure a useful exchange.
Consider the experience of Les Charm early in his career at Prudential Insurance. He disliked the bureaucracy and rigid process. Instead of complaining about the rules, he paid attention to what his boss actually cared about: results, especially new loan deals. So he made a trade. If he could produce exceptional deals, he wanted more flexibility and less paperwork. His boss agreed.
That story captures a basic truth of organizational life: every workplace runs on an invisible economy. People need things. Sometimes they need information. Sometimes they need reassurance, speed, visibility, fewer surprises, cleaner execution, or someone who can reduce chaos.
These are all forms of currency.
You may have more currency than you think. Perhaps you can explain a technical issue in plain language. Perhaps you respond quickly and lower somebody’s stress. Perhaps you have a relationship that can unblock a stalled decision. Perhaps you are the person who stays calm when everyone else becomes reactive. None of these require authority. All of them can create influence.
But there is one condition: you must diagnose the other person’s needs before you offer anything. That step is where most people fail. They assume they know what matters to the other side, then pitch the wrong solution with more confidence than curiosity.
A country manager who keeps deprioritizing your product launch may not be stubborn at all. She may be responding rationally to incentives that reward short-term sales volume over a complicated new product. If you ignore that reality, your pitch will sound naive. If you understand it, you can design a proposal that aligns with her incentives instead of fighting them.
The point is not manipulation. The point is accuracy.
Takeaway: Influence grows when you stop asking, “How do I make them agree?” and start asking, “What do they need that I can genuinely help provide?”
3. Frame the problem before you pitch the solution
The person who names the problem well often shapes the final decision before the room realizes it.
That is because solutions do not exist in a vacuum. They depend on how the issue is defined. If the problem is framed as a growth opportunity, people look for upside. If it is framed as a risk-management issue, they look for protection. If it is framed as an execution bottleneck, they look for speed and coordination.
In other words, the framing sets the menu.
This is one reason loss aversion matters so much in organizational life. Research by Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky showed that people tend to work harder to avoid losses than to secure equivalent gains. A proposal framed around possible damage often lands with more urgency than the same proposal framed around possible benefit.
“If we do not fix this, we are likely to lose the client” is usually stronger than “If we fix this, we may strengthen the relationship.” The facts may be similar. The emotional weight is not.
You can see this kind of framing in strong business writing. Warren Buffett, for example, often guides readers toward his conclusions by shaping how they think about risk, time, and value before he arrives at the point itself. By the end, the conclusion feels less like a pitch and more like the obvious answer.
You can do the same thing in ordinary meetings. Surface the tension people are avoiding. Clarify the constraint everyone feels but nobody has named. Explain the cost of delay, not just the benefit of action. Once people can see the real problem clearly, the right solution often becomes easier to accept.
Takeaway: If you define the question well, you often reduce how hard you need to fight for the answer.
4. Share credit quickly
One of the least intuitive rules of influence is this: people trust you more when you do not act hungry for ownership.
In many workplaces, credit is treated like scarce property. People defend it, signal it, and quietly compete for it. That instinct is understandable, but it often weakens influence rather than strengthening it. When people suspect you are trying to collect status from every success, they become cautious around you. They protect their ideas. They share less. They hesitate before bringing you into early conversations.
The opposite pattern is more powerful. When you consistently give real credit to others, people relax. They feel safer building with you. They stop treating collaboration as a zero-sum game.
This is part of why generous people often become central nodes in organizations. Adam Grant’s research on givers points in this direction: people who help others without demanding immediate return often build stronger networks of trust and reciprocity over time.
Of course, this only works when the generosity is genuine. Performative humility is easy to detect. So is strategic praise used as a social weapon. But real credit-giving changes the atmosphere around you. It tells people that your goal is the outcome, not the applause.
And that matters, because most influence happens when other people speak for your ideas in rooms you are not in.
Takeaway: If people feel bigger after working with you, they are more likely to carry your ideas forward.
5. Treat resistance as information
When people push back, most professionals respond by explaining harder.
That is usually a mistake.
Resistance often contains useful data. It may reflect a constraint you missed, a fear you did not address, or a memory of some earlier failure that still shapes the room. If you treat every objection as irrational opposition, you will miss the information inside it.
Entrepreneur Rufus Griscom understood this instinctively when pitching Babble to investors. Instead of opening with a polished argument for why the company was an obvious bet, he began with the strongest reasons not to invest. That approach lowered defensiveness and changed the tone of the conversation. It signaled honesty. It invited joint problem-solving instead of triggering skepticism.
The same dynamic appears at work. When someone challenges your idea, the goal is not always to overcome the objection. Sometimes the goal is to understand it well enough to redesign the proposal.
A useful question in these moments is simple: What would make this easier for your team to support?
That question does two important things. First, it surfaces the real obstacle. Second, it turns the other person from critic into contributor. Once someone has helped shape the path forward, their relationship to the idea changes. They are no longer just blocking it. They are partly building it.
Takeaway: Resistance is often not the end of the conversation. It is the part of the conversation that tells you what still needs to be solved.
6. Let consistency carry your reputation ahead of you
A single impressive moment can earn attention. Only consistency earns trust.
Consider Catherine Weiler, an HR manager whose boss ran meetings poorly. He was erratic, anxious, and difficult to read. She could have complained about him to colleagues and left it there. Instead, she tried to understand what was driving the behavior. He cared about speed and results. His volatility seemed rooted less in malice than in anxiety about performance.
So she offered help in terms he could value. She asked whether he was satisfied with how meetings were going. When he admitted he was not, she stepped in to support agendas, decisions, and follow-through. She did not make the conversation about his shortcomings. She made it about improving outcomes.
Over time, she became indispensable.
That did not happen because of one great intervention. It happened because she kept showing the same qualities repeatedly. She was useful. She was dependable. She followed through. People knew what kind of work they would get from her.
That is the deeper engine of influence. People are always testing whether your behavior matches your stated values. Do you stay honest when it is inconvenient? Do you hold the same standards when senior people are absent? Do you become political under pressure? The answers shape your reputation, and your reputation often does your influencing before you arrive.
A strong reputation travels. Someone mentions your name in a meeting you never attend. Someone trusts your judgment before you explain it. Someone supports your proposal because they have seen enough evidence to believe that if you are raising the issue, it probably matters.
That is one of the highest forms of influence: people trust your judgment before you enter the room.
Takeaway: Your influence expands when your reputation becomes more portable than your presence.
The real work of influence
Roger Boisjoly had the right information and could not move the decision. Carmen Medina had the right idea and spent years building the credibility that eventually made people listen.
That contrast explains more about influence than any list of persuasion tactics. The gap is not usually intelligence. It is not always seniority either. More often, the gap is invisible infrastructure: trust, credibility, relationships, emotional steadiness, and a reputation for good judgment.
That infrastructure compounds.
If you want to influence people without authority, start earlier than feels necessary. Become known for useful work. Learn what other people value. Frame problems clearly. Share credit. Listen carefully to resistance. Stay consistent long enough that your name begins to carry meaning on its own.
Authority comes from the org chart. Influence comes from what people have learned to expect from you over time.
So here is a better question to carry into your next important conversation:
Have I built enough trust to make this request feel reasonable before I ever ask for it?
That is where influence begins.
Keep Reading!
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Ramadan Recommended Reads 2026
Ramadan Recommended Reads 2026
As we are in the blessed month of Ramadan, I’d like to share some book recommendations from my small library at home. Since Ramadan is the month of the Quran, I’ll start with recommended reading on Quranic sciences, following book son Hadith & sunnah, History, spirituality etc .
Quran & Its Sciences (Ulum al-Qur’an)
1. Tazkirul Quran (Quran Commentary)
by Maulana Wahidudin Khan
2.The History of the Qur’anic Text
by M.M. Al-Azami
3. The Miraculous Language of the Qur’an: Evidence of Divine Origin
by Bassam Saeh
4. The Miracles of the Qur’an
by Shaykh Muhammad Mitwalli ash-Sha’rawi
5. The Qur’an and the Prophet in the Writings of Shaykh Ahmad Al-’Alawi
by Translated by Khalid Williams
An insightful exploration of how the revered Sufi master Shaykh Ahmad Al-’Alawi understood and wrote about the Quran and the Prophet (ﷺ). This work bridges classical scholarship with spiritual depth.
The Prophetic Example: Hadith & Sunnah
6. Riyad-us-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous) — 2 Volumes
by Imam an-Nawawi
7. Bulugh Al-Maram (Attainment of the Objective)
by Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalani
8. A Textbook of Hadith Studies
by Mohammad Hashim Kamali
9. Hadith and Sunnah: Ideals and Realities
Selected Essays
10. The Sunna of the Prophet
by Muhammad al-Ghazali
11. The Influence of the Noble Hadith upon the Differences of Opinion amongst the Jurist Imams
by Shaykh Muhammad ‘Awwamah
An advanced and illuminating text that explains the sophisticated legal reasoning that led to different opinions among the great Imams of Islamic jurisprudence, demonstrating the richness and flexibility of the Islamic legal tradition.
Spiritual Purification (Tazkiyah)
12. The Inner Secrets of Worship
by Imam Ibn Qudamah al-Maqdisi
13. The Book of Assistance
by Imam al-Haddad
14. Allah Loves…
by Omar Suleiman
15. Reassurance for the Seeker
by Dajani
A source of spiritual comfort and solace for anyone on a journey of faith. This book speaks directly to the heart, providing reassurance and strength for those who seek closeness to Allah.
Knowledge & Epistemology
16. The Excellence of Knowledge
by Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali
17. The Heirs of the Prophets
by Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali
18. Classification of Knowledge in Islam
by Osman Bakar
A fascinating work of intellectual history, exploring how Muslim scholars have historically categorized and approached the various branches of knowledge. This book highlights the richness and coherence of the Islamic intellectual tradition.
Islamic Law (Fiqh & Usul)
19. Al-Fiqh al-Islami
by Shaykh Mohammad Akram Nadwi
20. Imam Al-Shatibi’s Theory of the Higher Objectives and Intents of Islamic Law
by Ahmad Al-Raysuni
21. Shah Wali Allah’s Treatises on Islamic Law
by Shah Wali Allah al-Dahlawi
An exploration of the legal philosophy of the great Indian subcontinent reformer, Shah Wali Allah. This work offers deep insights into the purpose and wisdom of Shari’ah, and remains highly relevant to contemporary Islamic thought.
History & Biography (Tarikh & Siyar)
22. Stories of the Prophets
by Ibn Kathir (Ad-Dimashqi)
23. The Biography of Imam Az-Zuhri
24. The Biography of Imam Shawkani
by Salahuddin Ali Abdul-Mawjood
25. A Treasury of Ghazali
by Mustafa Abu Sway
26. A Treasury of Ibn Taymiyyah
by Mustapha Sheikh
A carefully curated selection of the timeless thought and wisdom of Ibn Taymiyyah, one of the most influential scholars in Islamic history. This anthology makes his profound scholarship accessible to the modern reader.
✨ ✨ ✨
May this Ramadan be a month of immense blessings, forgiveness, and spiritual growth. May these books be a source of light and guidance on your journey. Ramadan Mubarak!
Ramadan Recommended Reads 2026
As we are in the blessed month of Ramadan, I’d like to share some book recommendations from my small library at home. Since Ramadan is the month of the Quran, I’ll start with recommended reading on Quranic sciences, following book son Hadith & sunnah, History, spirituality etc .
Quran & Its Sciences (Ulum al-Qur’an)
1. Tazkirul Quran (Quran Commentary)
by Maulana Wahidudin Khan
2.The History of the Qur’anic Text
by M.M. Al-Azami
3. The Miraculous Language of the Qur’an: Evidence of Divine Origin
by Bassam Saeh
4. The Miracles of the Qur’an
by Shaykh Muhammad Mitwalli ash-Sha’rawi
5. The Qur’an and the Prophet in the Writings of Shaykh Ahmad Al-’Alawi
by Translated by Khalid Williams
An insightful exploration of how the revered Sufi master Shaykh Ahmad Al-’Alawi understood and wrote about the Quran and the Prophet (ﷺ). This work bridges classical scholarship with spiritual depth.
The Prophetic Example: Hadith & Sunnah
6. Riyad-us-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous) — 2 Volumes
by Imam an-Nawawi
7. Bulugh Al-Maram (Attainment of the Objective)
by Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalani
8. A Textbook of Hadith Studies
by Mohammad Hashim Kamali
9. Hadith and Sunnah: Ideals and Realities
Selected Essays
10. The Sunna of the Prophet
by Muhammad al-Ghazali
11. The Influence of the Noble Hadith upon the Differences of Opinion amongst the Jurist Imams
by Shaykh Muhammad ‘Awwamah
An advanced and illuminating text that explains the sophisticated legal reasoning that led to different opinions among the great Imams of Islamic jurisprudence, demonstrating the richness and flexibility of the Islamic legal tradition.
Spiritual Purification (Tazkiyah)
12. The Inner Secrets of Worship
by Imam Ibn Qudamah al-Maqdisi
13. The Book of Assistance
by Imam al-Haddad
14. Allah Loves…
by Omar Suleiman
15. Reassurance for the Seeker
by Dajani
A source of spiritual comfort and solace for anyone on a journey of faith. This book speaks directly to the heart, providing reassurance and strength for those who seek closeness to Allah.
Knowledge & Epistemology
16. The Excellence of Knowledge
by Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali
17. The Heirs of the Prophets
by Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali
18. Classification of Knowledge in Islam
by Osman Bakar
A fascinating work of intellectual history, exploring how Muslim scholars have historically categorized and approached the various branches of knowledge. This book highlights the richness and coherence of the Islamic intellectual tradition.
Islamic Law (Fiqh & Usul)
19. Al-Fiqh al-Islami
by Shaykh Mohammad Akram Nadwi
20. Imam Al-Shatibi’s Theory of the Higher Objectives and Intents of Islamic Law
by Ahmad Al-Raysuni
21. Shah Wali Allah’s Treatises on Islamic Law
by Shah Wali Allah al-Dahlawi
An exploration of the legal philosophy of the great Indian subcontinent reformer, Shah Wali Allah. This work offers deep insights into the purpose and wisdom of Shari’ah, and remains highly relevant to contemporary Islamic thought.
History & Biography (Tarikh & Siyar)
22. Stories of the Prophets
by Ibn Kathir (Ad-Dimashqi)
23. The Biography of Imam Az-Zuhri
24. The Biography of Imam Shawkani
by Salahuddin Ali Abdul-Mawjood
25. A Treasury of Ghazali
by Mustafa Abu Sway
26. A Treasury of Ibn Taymiyyah
by Mustapha Sheikh
A carefully curated selection of the timeless thought and wisdom of Ibn Taymiyyah, one of the most influential scholars in Islamic history. This anthology makes his profound scholarship accessible to the modern reader.
✨ ✨ ✨
May this Ramadan be a month of immense blessings, forgiveness, and spiritual growth. May these books be a source of light and guidance on your journey. Ramadan Mubarak!
Delay discounting explains why we choose less now over more later. The longer the wait, the less value our brain assigns. Master patience, and you master better money, habits, and long-term success.
The past is done. The rest is opportunity.
Behind Trump’s Trade Wars: 8 Essential Books on Tariffs and International Trade
With rising discussions about potential trade policy changes and tariff implementations, these eight books provide essential insights into international trade relations, protectionist policies, and their impact on global commerce.
1. Trade Is Not a Four Letter Word
by Fred P. Hochberg
What is Trade Is Not a Four Letter Word about ?
Trade Is Not a Four Letter Word” by Fred P. Hochberg explores the often misunderstood and controversial topic of international trade. Through engaging stories and examples, Hochberg demystifies how trade works and highlights its positive impact on everyday life, from the products we use to the jobs it creates. The book aims to challenge common misconceptions, offering a fresh and optimistic perspective on why trade is essential for economic growth and global cooperation.
Who should read Trade Is Not a Four Letter Word ?
Individuals interested in understanding the complexities of international trade in an accessible way.
Professionals and students looking to challenge common misconceptions about global commerce.
Anyone curious about how trade impacts their daily lives and contributes to global economic growth.
2. No Trade Is Free: Changing Course, Taking on China, and Helping America’s Workers
by Robert Lighthizer
What is this book about ?
“No Trade Is Free: Changing Course, Taking on China, and Helping America’s Workers” by Robert Lighthizer examines the complexities and challenges of modern trade policies. Drawing from his experience as a U.S. Trade Representative, Lighthizer delves into the economic and political impacts of globalization, focusing on U.S.-China trade relations. The book emphasizes the importance of reshaping trade policies to protect domestic industries and support American workers, offering insights into how nations can balance free trade with economic fairness and national interests.
Who should read this book ?
Policymakers and economists interested in understanding the challenges of modern trade and protecting domestic industries.
Business leaders and professionals navigating the complexities of global trade with a focus on U.S.-China relations.
Readers seeking insights into balancing free trade with supporting American workers and industries.
3. Trade Wars Are Class Wars: How Rising Inequality Distorts the Global Economy and Threatens
By Matthew C Klein
What is it about ?
“Trade Wars Are Class Wars: How Rising Inequality Distorts the Global Economy and Threatens” by Matthew C. Klein delves into the interconnected relationship between economic inequality and global trade imbalances. The book argues that rising inequality within major economies has profound effects on international trade, financial stability, and political tensions. By examining the actions of both wealthy elites and struggling workers, Klein sheds light on how class dynamics shape trade policies and economic outcomes, ultimately threatening global prosperity.
Who should read this book?
Economists and policymakers interested in the relationship between economic inequality and global trade imbalances.
Readers seeking to understand how social and economic class dynamics influence global financial stability.
Individuals curious about the broader impacts of inequality on international trade and political tensions.
4. Choice, The: A Fable of Free Trade and Protection
by Russell Roberts
What is it about ?
“The Choice: A Fable of Free Trade and Protection” by Russell Roberts uses a fictional narrative to explore the principles and debates surrounding free trade and protectionism. Through a compelling and accessible story, the book illustrates the economic and ethical implications of trade policies, shedding light on how they affect businesses, workers, and consumers. By blending storytelling with economic insights, Roberts provides a thought-provoking perspective on the benefits and challenges of free trade.
Who should read this book?
Readers interested in understanding the principles and debates surrounding free trade and protectionism through an engaging narrative.
Economics students and professionals seeking a simplified yet insightful perspective on trade policies.
Anyone curious about the ethical and economic implications of global trade on businesses, workers, and consumers.
5. The Box: How the Shipping Container Made the World Smaller and the World Economy Bigger
by Marc Levinson
What is it about ?
“The Box: How the Shipping Container Made the World Smaller and the World Economy Bigger” by Marc Levinson explores the transformative impact of the shipping container on global trade and the modern economy. Through compelling storytelling, the book details how this simple yet revolutionary invention drastically reduced shipping costs, streamlined logistics, and reshaped industries around the world. Levinson highlights how the container played a key role in globalization, changing the way goods are produced and consumed, and fostering economic growth on an unprecedented scale.
Who should read this book?
Historians and economists interested in the transformative impact of innovation on global trade and supply chains.
Business professionals and logistics enthusiasts curious about the evolution of shipping and its influence on globalization.
Readers seeking to understand how a simple invention revolutionized industries and reshaped the modern economy.
6. Clashing Over Commerce: A History of US Trade Policy
by Douglas A. Irwin
What is it about ?
“Clashing Over Commerce: A History of US Trade Policy” by Douglas A. Irwin provides a comprehensive look at the evolution of trade policy in the United States, from the founding of the nation to the present day. The book examines the political, economic, and social factors that have shaped U.S. trade policy decisions over time, highlighting key debates and turning points. Irwin explores how trade policy has influenced economic growth, domestic industries, and international relations, offering readers a deeper understanding of the complexities of commerce and its role in shaping the nation’s history.
Who should read this book?
Readers interested in understanding the history and evolution of U.S. trade policy and its impact on the economy.
Economists and policymakers seeking insights into the political, economic, and social factors shaping trade decisions.
Students and professionals looking for a comprehensive analysis of key debates and turning points in U.S. trade history.
7. Free Trade under Fire
by Douglas A. Irwin
What is it about ?
“Free Trade under Fire” by Douglas A. Irwin examines the controversies and debates surrounding free trade in the modern economy. The book provides a detailed analysis of how free trade impacts economic growth, employment, and income distribution, while addressing the criticisms it faces from various political and social perspectives. Irwin combines historical context with contemporary examples to explore the benefits and challenges of free trade, offering a balanced and evidence-based perspective on its role in shaping global commerce and economic policy.
Who should read this book?
Economists and policymakers interested in understanding the impact of free trade on economic growth and employment.
Readers seeking a balanced perspective on the debates and controversies surrounding free trade policies.
Students and professionals looking to deepen their knowledge of income distribution and trade-related challenges in the modern economy.
8. The Travels of a T-Shirt in the Global Economy
by Pietra Rivoli
What is it about ?
“The Travels of a T-Shirt in the Global Economy” by Pietra Rivoli tells the fascinating story of a simple cotton T-shirt as it travels across the globe, illustrating the complexities of international trade. The book delves into the economic, political, and social forces that shape global commerce, from cotton fields in Texas to textile factories in China and secondhand markets in Africa. Rivoli uses this accessible narrative to explore key issues such as labor practices, environmental concerns, and the impact of trade policies, making the book an engaging and informative journey through the global economy.
Who should read this book ?
Readers interested in understanding the global journey of everyday products and the complexities of international trade.
Individuals curious about labor practices, environmental impacts, and trade policy debates.
Students and professionals looking for an engaging narrative that connects economics to real-world stories.
I hope you enjoyed this week’s Read & Rise by thinkabled. Stay tuned for the latest book list, wisdoms, and more!
See you next week!
Originally published at https://www.thinkabled.com.
Do This, Something Different in 2025: Start a challenge journal.
One thing you could do differently in 2025: start a Challenge Journal.
This isn’t just a list or a journal — it’s a commitment to face your fears and transform your life. The idea is simple: each year, pick one fear, tackle it, and grow. By the end of the year, you’ll look back not just at what you’ve done, but at who you’ve become.
Here’s how it works:
1. List Your Fears
Begin by writing down everything you’re afraid to do. Be brutally honest. It could be heights, public speaking, water, or anything else that’s been holding you back.
2. Pick One Fear
Choose one fear from the list. Just one. Don’t overthink it. Starting small is fine, but make sure it’s something meaningful enough to push your boundaries.
3. Turn Fear into a Goal
Take that fear and make it a goal. Here are a few examples:
Fear of heights? Commit to skydiving.
Fear of water? Sign up for scuba diving lessons.
Fear of public speaking? Start speaking in front of a small group or attend a workshop.
4. Plan and Execute
Budget for It: Allocate the money and resources needed to make it happen.
Schedule It: Put it on your calendar and treat it like a non-negotiable appointment.
Do It: Take action. Don’t let overthinking hold you back.
5. One Fear a Year
This isn’t a one-time activity. Commit to conquering one fear every year.
6. Why This Works:
The returns are asymmetric — the rewards far outweigh the effort:
Your brain rewires. You build resilience and reframe challenges as opportunities.
You gain confidence. Each victory over fear strengthens your belief in yourself.
You excel at work. Fearless individuals are better equipped to take risks and lead.
New opportunities arise. Overcoming fears opens doors you didn’t know existed.
One thing you could do differently in 2025: start a Challenge Journal.
Why Taking the Hardest Path is the Easiest Way to Achieve Your Goals
Sounds a bit paradoxical, right? Well, let me share you a story. When I reached the end of my fourth year of medical school, I faced a crisis which all med students go through in their life. What next and where?
With hectic final year exams and one year of toiling internship ahead on my journey, I explored different medical specialties & the pathways for residency at different places.
Ultimately, I decided to pursue my residency in the US. But, this decision was not easy! It had its own challenges.
Pursuing residency in US is one of the hardest pathways any med student can take in their life. It is the most prestigious, decorated and above all, most competitive route to residency.
This journey begins by appearing for the USMLEs and scoring well on those exams.
The USMLEs are a series of three examinations, spanning a total of 36 hours (yep, you heard it right, 36!!) and are undoubtedly, the most difficult licensing exam in the world. One has to clear STEP 1 & STEP 2 in order to pursue a residency.
This is where the crux of this newsletter begins!
As I stepped into the USMLE journey, I took a major decision when it came to preparation. I decided to prepare for both exams in a single go: a risk very few people in the entire world dare to take.
The stakes were really high as USMLEs are single-attempt examinations. The craziness doesn’t end there: I had my non-negotiable final year university exams waiting to haunt me in the months ahead!
In a normal world (like the one everyone lives!), clearing these exams take anywhere between 12 to 18 months of grueling preparation with each exam requiring 6 months of dedicated period. In my world, I decide to complete the same exams within the span of 6 months.
In the non-medical world, this journey is equivalent to hunting three lions with a single bullet or shooting down three missiles with a single drone (whichever is relatable or appropriate to you!). And the end result of this seemingly impossible & moreover insane journey?
I cleared the USMLEs with a dream score of 269 (97th percentile) and my final year exam with honors and as a top student!. But why risk it all? Why take the hardest route out there when you can take a much easier, simple, traditional path?
Well, that’s because it is the easiest way in the long run! Now that I have done my USMLEs and performed well, I can focus on other areas of my residency application: rotations, research, building CV, personal statement, all without being distracted by the prospect of a huge exam on the back of my mind.
As James Clear rightly mentioned, “The hard way is the fast way”. The idea is to take the hardest but the most perfect way to do a thing so that you don’t have to do it again. If you are studying for an exam, learn broadly the first time so that you don’t have to struggle with them later!
If you are building a home, use the best materials for construction initially so that it is easy to maintain in the future! If you are looking for gear to shoot videos, buy an expensive camera once which last years over a phone which depreciates in production quality with time!
In his famous book, “The 7 Habits of Highly Successful People”, Stephen Covey writes: “Begin, with the end in mind”. Covey suggests that by focusing on the long-term goal and doing things thoroughly from the beginning (even if it is the hardest way), you avoid the need for rework and ensure success in the future.
Cal Newport also supports a similar notion in his book, “Deep Work”. He advocates for intense, focused effort from the start, which, though challenging initially, results in high-quality work that doesn’t need to be redone.
✍🏼Quote of the Week
Do it right the first time and you won’t have to do it over the next time – James Clear
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🧠Food for Thought
What’s the ONE Thing you can do such that by doing it everything else will be easier?
📖Read and Rise
Burn the Boats & Re-Invent Yourself: Sometimes, the best way to achieve success is by eliminating your safety net and fully committing, as history’s greatest leaders did. Like Alexander the Great burning his boats, taking bold, decisive action can push you beyond your limits and lead to extraordinary results. No Plan B—just all-in focus.
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The post Why Taking the Hardest Path is the Easiest Way to Achieve Your Goals appeared first on Thinkabled.
Understand the Psychological Blocks Holding You Back: Imposter Syndrome, Abilene Paradox, and How to Beat Them
Ever had a great idea but felt paralyzed before taking the first step? You’re not alone.
Psychological blocks like fear of failure, Imposter Syndrome, the Curse of Knowledge, and the Abilene Paradox often hold us back from turning our ideas into reality.
Psychologist and author Adam Grant in his book Originals cites some examples from history where in some of the greatest change makers were initially held by these psychological blocks.
Imposter Syndrome
Imposter syndrome is that feeling of inadequacy despite possessing the necessary skills and knowledge.
For Eg: Legendary Civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr was apprehensive about leading the Civil Right Movement.
“It had happened so quickly that I did not even have time to think it through. It is probable that if I had, I would have declined the nomination,” King reflected.
When he was elected to lead the boycott and subsequently faced with giving a speech to the community that evening, he remarked: “I became possessed by fear”
This feeling of inadequacy and self doubt despite possessing the necessary skills and knowledge is something many people struggle with.
Curse of Knowledge
Similarly when it comes to knowledge work, another phenomenon that holds back people from publishing original ideas is “ Curse of Knowledge”. It refers to a cognitive bias in which we over estimate how likely others are to know and understand the same things as us.
Copernicus did not publish his work for almost 30 years. It’s possible that Copernicus experienced the curse of knowledge when he was developing and sharing his theory of heliocentrism.
As an expert in astronomy and mathematics, he may have found it challenging to explain his revolutionary ideas to others who did not share his level of expertise.
Copernicus’ theory of heliocentrism challenged the long-held geocentric belief that the Earth was at the center of the universe, and this made it a difficult idea for many people to accept.
The Abilene Paradox
The Abilene paradox, is a strange phenomenon where a group of people all end up doing what none of them actually want to do, because everyone is too afraid to openly question the status quo.
This is what happened with the NASA Space Shuttle Challenger disaster in 1986.
Managers were desperate to launch the shuttle, so they ignored warnings from engineers about the risks of launching in cold weather.
The shuttle broke apart 73 seconds after launch, with millions of viewers watching on TV.
10% Edge
How do we overcome these obstacles?
Author Amy Porterfield suggests a powerful way to overcome these psychological barriers in her book “Two Week’s Notice”. She calls it the “10% Edge”.
This concept is all about getting a slight advantage in any area that you want to pursue and then start building over it.
You don’t need a revolutionary new idea to start a business.
You just need to find your 10-percent edge.
Finding your 10-percent edge simply means finding a topic in which you have 10 percent more knowledge and ability than the average person.
By committing to getting a 10% edge, you gradually build momentum and make significant progress in overcoming psychological barriers.
Porterfield’s approach is based on the idea that small wins can lead to big gains. Instead of trying to make drastic changes all at once, it’s often more effective to focus on making small improvements and building momentum over time.
💬Quote of the Week
Claiming that you need to “learn more” or “get all of your ducks in a row” can often be a crutch that prevents you from moving forward on the stuff that actually matters ~ James Clear
🧭Weekly Compass
The Abilene paradox: When not rocking the boat may sink the boat: This beautiful article by Ness Labs explains the concept of Abilene Paradox in detail.
🧠Food for Thought
What is one thing you can learn today to get the 10% edge?
📖Read & Rise
📧 Newsletter: Read the past issues Cerebrate Weekly:
Your attention Shapes Your Reality
Preparation is the game.
Read! In the name of your Lord
🛠Tools for Thought
Readwise: Do you want to better retain what you read? Check out Readwise, an app that can help you grow wiser and remember books more effectively. Readwise consolidates highlights from all your favorite reading platforms into one place, making it fun and easy to revisit them.
Why do we Procrastinate? The Economics of Instant Gratification
Procrastination is a behavior that we all dislike, yet we find ourselves falling victim to it most of the time. In fact, it has been a timeless struggle for humanity as long as we have existed.
The ancient Greeks referred to this behavior of acting against one’s better judgment as Akrasia. Akrasia is essentially a lack of self-control.
But why do we struggle with it ? Well behavioral psychology research reveals that the procrastination has to do with one uniquely human problem that is with how we think about the future, a phenomenon called Affective forecasting or Hedonic Forecasting.
Affective or Hedonic Forecasting: Present Self vs Future Self
The term Affective forecasting was coined by psychologists Timothy Wilson and Daniel Gilbert. It refers to the human behavior of predicting our future emotional states.
According to Daniel Gilbert, humans are the only species that think meaningfully about the future. While this ability has resulted in many positive contributions, however the projection bias in our prediction often leads to procrastination.
How does affective forecasting impact procrastination?
In their research on affective forecasting, Wilson and Gilbert discovered that people have difficulty accurately predicting what will make them happy and tend to be influenced by their present emotions when making decisions.
For example we feel motivated and happy to set long term goals for our future self, however when it comes to taking action to achieve the goals, the present self tends to prioritize instant gratification over long-term payoffs.
Ontologically, this sense of hastiness and lack of patience is inherent to being human as informed to us in the final testament.
Humankind is made of haste. I will soon show you My signs, so do not ask Me to hasten them. - Quran 21:37
Delay Discounting: The Science of Procrastination
To analyze the impact of Procrastination, we need to look through the lenses of an economist. Economist call this delay discounting: the longer you have to wait for a reward, the less it is worth to you.
Imagine you have the choice between receiving $100 today or $150 one month from now. Delay discounting suggests that many people would prefer to take the $100 today because they place a higher value on immediate rewards, even though waiting for a month would yield a larger reward.
Delay discounting is a broad concept that encompasses various models and theories of how individuals make choices involving time and rewards.
In the context of Behavioral economics, a type of manifestation of delay discounting is that a person’s preferences or choices change over time in a way that is not rational or consistent known as time inconsistency.
Let’s say you set a New Year’s resolution to save money for retirement and create a budget to achieve this goal. However, as the months pass, you find yourself consistently overspending and dipping into your retirement savings because your preferences have changed over time. You regret not sticking to your initial plan.
Another interesting model is called Hyperbolic discounting, It suggests that individuals exhibit a particular pattern of time inconsistency in which they heavily discount the value of future rewards when making decisions in the short term but become more patient as the time to receive the reward approaches.
It’s characterized by a hyperbolic curve where the discounting rate is steeper for immediate rewards compared to delayed rewards.
Here’s an example that demonstrates the hyperbolic nature of discounting:
Imagine someone is offered a choice between two rewards: $100 today or $150 one year from today
At the moment of decision-making, they might heavily favor taking the $100 today because it’s an immediate reward. However, if you ask them again in six months, when the $150 reward is closer in time (only six months away), their preference might shift, and they might be more inclined to wait for the $150.
✍🏼Quote of the Week
“ Procrastination is the thief of time.”
🧠Food for Thought
Take a moment to reflect on the future rewards that you sacrifice every time you succumb to temptation or procrastination. What is the immediate gratification you experience by giving in? And what is the long-term cost of your actions? Is this exchange fair?
📖Read and Rise
James Clear has written an article on the impact bias titled The Impact Bias: How to Be Happy When Everything Goes Wrong. The article discusses the work of Dan Gilbert, a social psychologist at Harvard University. Gilbert’s best-selling book, Stumbling on Happiness, explores the ways in which we often misjudge how situations will affect our happiness and offers some counterintuitive insights on how to find happiness.
🧭Weekly Compass
📚 Book Summary: Dopamine Detox by Thibaut Mueriss. This book explains the role of the Neurotransmitter “Dopamine” in our behavior & how its functioning has been hijacked in modern world.
📝 Article: Pavlov’s Experiment: The Reason Why You Are Distracted. In this article Omer Mohammed revisits the Pavlov’s Experiment & explains how environments trigger our behaviors.
🛠Tools for Thought
Bionic Reader App: Bionic Reading is a new method facilitating the reading process by guiding the eyes through text with artificial fixation points. Bionic Reader app is best in the business right offering this feature.
Originally published at https://www.thinkabled.com on September 22, 2023.
Why Taking the Hardest Path is the Easiest Way to Achieve Your Goals
Cerebrate Weekly: The Hardest Path is the Easiest Way to Your Goals Issue-20: August 22, 2024 by Omer Mohammed | Goal Setting, Life Lessons Sounds a bit paradoxical, right? Well, let me share you a story. When I reached the end of my fourth year of medical school, I faced a crisis which all med students go through in their life. What next and where? With hectic final year…
Final Year Exams, STEP 1, STEP 2 & Research Internship done in 6 months✅
My Story:
I decided to embark USMLE journey last November, got ECFMG applied and started UW for Step 1 late December 2023. I continued Step 1 prep for 2 weeks and then took a break for my university exams. In the beginning of February, I got a bizzare idea of prepping for Step 2 thanks to reddit and Free 120 of STEP 2.
So, I took UW STEP 2 in Feb. Everyday for a month, I did 2 blocks of STEP 1 & 1 block of STEP 2 system-wise. I had to stop for a month in March due to university exams. I jumped back on STEP 1 & 2 immediately after exams, this time, doing 2 blocks of STEP 2 and 1 block of STEP 1.
For STEP 1, I relied only on UW and First Aid. No NBMEs. No other resources. For STEP 2, I used UW and Inner Circle notes. No anki even though Tzancki deck was instilled on the notes.
By end of April, I was done with 90% UW STEP 1 and 60% STEP 2 UW. I sat 15 days dedicated for STEP 1 and gave exam on May and got the PASS. Took a vacation for 2 weeks and then returned back to STEP 2 prep.
I did UW upto 95%, shifted to CMS forms, did 2 each for main subjects and started NBMES. NBMES were all in 250s range except for 13 and 14 which hit 260s. I used to work full time as a research intern during June and do 80-160 questions a day. I also did a review of Inner Circle notes once during the whole month.
Dedicated:
In the month of July, I sat 3 weeks dedicated where I did AMBOSS High Yield qbank and articles. In the final weeks, I went through NBMEs once again, and reviewed the notes.
I also did AMBOSS HY 2nd pass. Did ethics screening vaccination quality and biostats from Amboss.
As for DIP, I listened to high yield stuff but only reviewed the Antibiotics and Palliative podcast in the end.
Day before Test:
Went through all NBME diagrams, did AMBOSS Ethics and Quality, quickly read through ethics articles, did Free 120 two days before the exam.
Test Day:
I was quite relaxed and had my breakfast. The exam felt fairly straight. I took breaks after every 2-3 blocks. Drank water during each break and took a toilet break. Thats all. I finished most blocks with 10-15 minutes to spare and did a 2nd pass of all the questions.
ACTUAL SCORE: 269
Overall, after solving 12k questions, I am happy to complete my fourth year exams, STEP 1 and STEP 2 together in a span of 6 months while being a student and full time research intern.
I am happy to give back to this community and would love to support and finance my further journey with paid mentorships for STEP 1 and STEP 2. If interested, check out here: https://lnkd.in/gwMDWR_9
My Learning Resources: https://lnkd.in/grGsSQnt
My YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gMcGWiUe
My Newsletter: thinkabled.com/cerebrate
Take care.
#usmle #img #step1 #step2 #match2025 #usmleimg #neurology #imresident #matchcycle #nrmp #usce #research
The Value of Writing And Showing your Work
Cerebrate Weekly: The Value of Writing and Showing your Work Twelve years ago, popular author and writer Ryan Holiday made a life-changing decision. He relocated from his hometown to a small room in New Orleans to embark on his writing career. It was a new path for him, one that he wasn’t entirely sure of. The journey was filled with confusion, self-doubt, and uncertainty. But he took the risk…
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In an age of transience, the simplest habit with high ROI is journaling. In this post, explore the ways to get started with journaling habit. #jounaling #habit #mindfulness #thinkabled #cerebrate https://www.instagram.com/p/CrWCVrKv7Pf/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
The Five degrees of Motivation! This Week’s Newsletter is published. Link in the bio! #motivation #mindfulness #thinkabled #cerebrate https://www.instagram.com/p/CqmmVA1vxVr/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
The Five Degrees of Motivation
Cerebrate Weekly: The Five Degrees of Motivation Humanities is often described as the study of human experience. In the context of modern psychology the fundamental components of the human experience involves: Human Cognition, Motivation & Behavior. The noise, distractions, and information overload of modern life constantly stimulate us, making it difficult to control our thoughts and desires.…
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We all feel overwhelmed by the stress & anxieties of running our daily lives. In the past 4 issues of Cerebrate Newsletter, we discussed some tips to avoid stress & anxiety. If you have missed it, don’t worry!! All our newsletters are archived in our webpage. Visit Thinkabled.com/Cerebrate to get access to all past issues. For more weekly insights & wisdoms, sign up to the newsletter. Link in bio! #stress #anxiety #thinkabled #cerebrate https://www.instagram.com/p/CqKPG2GPqfS/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=