#224: Law of Names, Fear Setting & the Law of Lightness
3 Ideas in 2 Minutes on Conquering Fear
I. Law of Names
Oh, how good that no one knows that my name is Rumpelstiltskin!
In the German fairy tale Rumpelstiltskin, a mysterious little man helps a miller’s daughter spin straw into gold in exchange for her firstborn child…as is standard practice in German folk tales. When he later comes to claim the baby, she can keep her child only if she discovers his name. She ultimately overhears him singing the above iconic line. Rumpelstiltskin’s secret is revealed, his power broken.
The Law of Names is rooted in this ancient mythology. It suggests that knowing something’s true name grants you power over it. Because to name something precisely is to understand and control it.
Modern research echoes this insight. UCLA studies found that people who labelled their emotions (affect labelling) showed less physiological stress and brain reactivity. Naming emotions like “fear” or “anger” created distance between the person and the feeling, replacing it with awareness. In essence, naming transforms reaction into reflection. The clearer and more specific your naming, the more control you gain.
II. Fear Setting
Don’t set goals, set your fears. Fear Setting works in a similar way to the Law of Names. The three-step exercise was invented by American entrepreneur, author and podcaster Tim Ferris.
Say, you’re facing an intimidating decision, such as moving overseas for your dream job. Paralysed by fear, you could avoid taking action. Or you could scribble down the answers to three simple questions:
Define: What’s the worst thing that could happen?
Make a list of the fears that hold you back. But be specific, so you have something tangible to work with.
Prevent: How could the likelihood of that happening be reduced, or each worst-case scenario be prevented altogether?
Making a list of things you can do turns the problem from “doom is inevitable” into “well, maybe there’s a chance”.
Repair: If the worst did happen, how could it be fixed, or who could help me recover?
Write out contingency plans and sources of support. Realise that many “catastrophes” are recoverable, which shrinks their power over you.
By confronting your fears directly and planning for them, you replace paralysis with clarity and fear with action.
III. Law of Lightness
The Law of Lightness holds that fear is best conquered not by struggle or resistance, but by stepping past it lightly.
It’s dark because you are trying too hard.
Lightly child, lightly. Learn to do everything lightly.
Yes, feel lightly even though you’re feeling deeply.
Just lightly let things happen and lightly cope with them. […]So throw away your baggage and go forward.
There are quicksands all about you, sucking at your feet,
trying to suck you down into fear and self-pity and despair.
That’s why you must walk so lightly.
Lightly my darling,
on tiptoes and no luggage,
not even a sponge bag,
completely unencumbered.—Aldous Huxley, Island
🐘
Have a great week,
Chris
themindcollection.com