Chapter 3: How To Do Big Things

Matt Damon, The Hero’s Journey, & Embracing Uncertainty

Welcome Legends

What we’re building: a tribe of growth-minded individuals (that’s you). Every Saturday, I deliver one big idea to shift how you think—for the better.

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Alright, let’s dive in.

The Big Idea:

If something scares you and excites you, that’s your signal to run toward it.

What most people find scary:

  • Starting your first business

  • Signing up for an endurance race

  • Telling someone how you feel

  • Learning a new skill

  • Leaving home

But, the truth is:

Imagine staying in your hometown forever, seeing the same people, doing the same things. Sounds thrilling, right?

Wrong.

Nobody writes epic stories about lives lived entirely in the comfort zone.

Today we’re exploring how to rewire your approach to fear—and take the leap.

The Martian Mindset

Have you seen The Martian with Matt Damon?

Quick recap: Matt plays an astronaut stranded on Mars. With limited food, water, and communication, he has two objectives: 1) stay alive and 2) signal Earth to rescue him.

It’s a masterclass in managing uncertainty. One quote nails it:

“You solve one problem, and you solve the next one, and the next. And if you solve enough problems, you get to come home.”

The takeaway?

Great achievements demand embracing uncertainty. Nobody has all the answers. Success comes from solving one problem at a time—and keeping momentum.

Start now. Solve one problem. Then the next. Then another.

Action is the antidote to fear.

The Hero’s Journey

Every epic story follows a familiar arc—The Hero’s Journey. Popularized by Joseph Campbell, it looks like this:

TLDR:

  • The hero (that’s you) steps into the unknown, unprepared.

  • They face challenges, setbacks, and fear.

  • Through resilience, they overcome and return transformed.

Star Wars, Harry Potter, The Matrix—all these stories follow this structure. Why? Because diving headfirst into uncertainty is transformative.

Here’s the catch: the hero always takes the leap before they’re ready.

If something scares and excites you? That’s your cue. It might just be the start of your own hero’s journey.

How To Do Great Work

Not sure what your leap should be? Start anywhere. Legendary entrepreneur Paul Graham sums it up:

“The way to figure out what to work on is by working. If you're not sure what to work on, guess. But pick something and get going. You'll probably guess wrong some of the time, but that's fine. Some of the biggest discoveries come from noticing connections between different fields.”

The key? Movement leads to clarity.

Remember:

  • Lamborghini started as a tractor company.

  • Airbnb began with air mattresses in a living room.

  • Starbucks sold coffee beans, not drinks.

Nobody knows exactly what they’re doing when they start. But they start anyway.

Fear Setting

Still stuck? Try this exercise, popularized by Tim Ferris. It’ll reframe your fears and help you act.

Step 1: Define the Nightmare

Write out the worst-case scenario of taking the leap. How likely is it? Could you recover?

Step 2: Plan for Damage Control

Brainstorm how you’d handle the fallout. Often, the solutions are simpler than expected.

Step 3: Envision the Benefits

What’s the upside of taking the leap? Think confidence, growth, and success.

Step 4: Measure the Cost of Inaction

What’s the price of staying where you are? Financially, emotionally, physically? Where will you be in 1, 5, or 10 years if you keep procrastinating?

Step 5: Commit to Action

Recognize that fear is universal—but action is the cure.

Final Thought

Fear will always exist. But action is what sets you apart. Learn to embrace the unknown, and trust you’ll figure it out — one step at a time.

Hope this helps.

Rooting for you.

-Dodds

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