The Region Beta Paradox: Growth Through Discomfort

Recently, I saw a clip of podcaster Chris Williamson talking about a theory that caught my attention.

It’s something that summed up my life exactly to this point.

I can only assume that at least some of you can relate to this too.

It’s called The Region Beta Paradox.

It’s a theory which explains how putting yourself in worse positions can lead to you being in a better position in the future.

Or, how starting to make your life worse can then turn into actions that lead to making your life better.

I want to explain it to you in greater detail, so you can use it to create a better life for yourself.

Chris’ Example

The example that Chris used was the example of having to travel two different distances:

• If you have to travel under 1km, chances are you’ll be more likely to walk.

• If you have to travel over 1km, chances are you’ll be more likely to drive.

Say you have to walk 1km.

1km at an average walking pace of 5km/h means it’ll take you 12 minutes.

Say you have to drive 2 km.

2km at an average pace of 30km/h means it’ll take you 4 minutes.

The longer distance is a metaphor for the “worse situation” that I mentioned earlier.

So, because you were in a worse situation, you made a decision which made your situation better.

• The worse situation: having to travel a longer distance.

• The decision: faster mode of transport.

• The improved situation: You arrived at your destination quicker.

The ideal example of The Region Beta Paradox.

My Example

Two friends meet up for a casual chat.

During a heart-to-heart, they decide it would be a good idea to rank their mental health on a scale of 1–10.

• Friend A: 2/10.

• Friend B: 5/10.

The two friends also agreed to meet up again and do the exact same thing a year later.

• Fast forward one year*

Two friends meet up again for a cas… you get the idea.

But the significance? Here are their scores now:

• Friend A: 7/10.

• Friend B: 4/10.

See what’s happened?

After the first chat, Friend A felt their only way forward was to take action to improve their mental health.

• Getting in shape.

• Less social media.

• Ditching the awful sudden hits of dopamine: Junk food, video games etc.

And as a result of them being in a worse situation than Friend B’s, their score soon exceeded their friends’.

But, Friend B was “okay” with being at a 5/10.

So much so, that theirs worsened a little bit because they weren’t in a position where changes was necessary.

The Relevance Of Today

I hear so many people say things like:

• “I want to start a business.”

• “I want to lose a bit of weight.”

• “I should go and talk to that girl.”

But nothing ever happens, because life as it is, is “just alright.”

There’s no real drive, or desire to make the changes that you sit and dream about making every night.

Nothing pushing you saying “this has to be done, or else.”

There’s a certain group of people who find themselves in this position.

I know this because I’ve been there.

Getting Out Of This Position

What helped me was to remove any emotion and only think logically.

If you’re one of the people I’ve mentioned: You wish for better, and you want to take action, but there’s something in your way.

Like an invisible force field.

Take a piece of paper and write down why you’re unable to start building your dream life.

My reason was the exact thing I’ve spoken about… life was “alright.”

I wanted to change, but I didn’t NEED to change.

It was far from good, but at the same time, it was so far from being as bad as it could be.

I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life, and the 9–5 life had me in a choke hold of monotony and comfort.

Something that a guy in his late teens and early 20’s with zero responsibilities should try to avoid at all costs.

So what did I do?

I removed the one thing holding me back. Comfort.

The Region Beta Paradox suggests the reason you can’t make improvements is because where you are, isn’t bad enough.

It sounds counter intuitive, but makes perfect sense when you’re able to apply it to real life situations.

When I first heard Chris talk about this theory, it made perfect sense, because I was able to relate to it.

Can you relate to it?

If so, are the positives of your current situation stopping you from working towards what you want?

You get one shot at this thing we all call life. Now you know what you need to do to break down those barriers.

Thanks for reading! Be sure to subscribe (it’s free!) for more financial wisdom every week.