Hope for the best and plan for the worst. And do everything you can (like building up savings) to swing the odds in your favor.

It makes me wonder what would have happened if Bell, Edison, Ford, or the Wright brothers stopped in mid stream. Think of what we would have lost. They had the goal, the drive, the stamina, and the courage to follow their thoughts and dreams despite the criticism of their peers.

You wonder what this concept has to do with finance.

Here is one example. It takes vision, to live a Thrift centered life. Those who do, know the benefits of living a thoughtful balanced life. They ignore disparaging remarks and live comfortably, outside the box.

Most people are willing to take the safer path, that’s why the few people that who do take risks are happier and have more affluent financial lives. How long can we keep living life in fear?

I think the challenge is trying again and again and again. In the meantime, bills, housing, health expenses, etc has to be paid, and day-to-day life goes on.

Hopefully this book addresses possible scenarios when you’ve already fallen flat on your face…several times.

And overprotective parents don’t do their children any favors.

Once you get married (or settled down long-term with someone), or you get a house, or you have kids – you kind of stop taking risks because there’s more at stake. I have to remind myself that I need to take more risks within reason, but do it, anyway.

I discovered the benefits of taking chances by playing Spider Solitaire. I have always been incredibly risk averse and I kept losing at the game. I started taking chances (in this virtual and therefore no *real* risk scenario) and I started winning. A lot. It opened my eyes to the value of risks and the potential benefits of taking a chance. Absolutely hokey and true. We’ve got to take our inspiration where we find it.

So, I respect the message you’re conveying and felt this way too until I realized that it was contradictory. If I’m going to say that each of us should live according to our individual values, I have to accept that some people WILL judge others, and I have no right to tell them not to do so.

I think what is more important, and what the book is trying to get across is DON’T EVEN CONSIDER other people’s judgement. Some people are going to judge because that’s who they are, but don’t let that stop you from living your authentic life. When you stop wondering what other people are thinking about your actions, you’ve freed yourself.

He does have a good blog so I expect that the book will be pretty good as well. And the kindle sample looks ok. But, if Adam Baker’s review on Man vs Debt is any indication of the content, the book is aimed at people who haven’t done a lot of reading in this area already.

The Fox Uncertainty Lab has a lot of interesting research if you’re into that kind of thing:
http://www.fox-lab.org

I just deal with uncertainty by preparing for the worst and hoping for the best. And playing the dice game once in awhile:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2000/aug/27/fiction.timadams

I’ve been meditating a lot on the path of least resistance, because thats definitely what I followed to where I currently am in my life. Right now my biggest fear is being stuck here, and letting another decade pass without changing my life.

This is a much needed reminder. Thank you JD.

Today I’m leaving my job, by choice, and moving on to the next stage of life. Additionally, I was not selected for the one job that was in my sights, making my future plans rather uncertain.

It’s easy to get down not knowing what lies ahead, but I intend to let the excitement overpower the fear. I hope to reshape my life by making the changes required to recognize and act upon my true dreams and passions.

Embracing life fully doesn’t have to look like sky diving.