Negative visualization or futurorum malorum præmeditatio[1][2] (Latin, literally, pre-studying bad future) is a method of meditative praxis or askēsis by visualization of the worst-case scenario(s). The method originated with the Cyreanic philosophers[3] and was later adopted by Stoic philosophers. The technique was made popular with publications of Seneca the Younger's Epistulae Morales ad Lucilium.[1] It is thought to have been one of the common forms of Stoic spiritual exercises.[4][5] Unlike the general focus of creative visualization of inducing an imaginary positive psychological and physiologic response, negative visualization focuses on training the practitioner on the negative outcomes of realistic life scenarios to desensitize or create psychological fitness in preparation for real-life losses and also to induce feelings of gratitude towards the real things or actual status that the practitioner has.[6][7] The severeness of negative visualization range from as mild as thinking of a minor inconvenience, e.g. having to abandon a minor pleasure, to as severe as total immersion in an imagined scenario in which the worst fear(s) of the practitioner has (have) really occurred, e.g. the loss of resources, status or life

The Theory of Basic Human Values recognize ten universal values, which can be organized in four higher-order groups. Each of the ten universal values has a central goal that is the underlying motivator.[1][5] Openness to change[edit] Self-Direction Independent thought and action—choosing, creating, exploring. Stimulation Excitement, novelty and challenge in life. Self-enhancement[edit] Hedonism Pleasure or sensuous gratification for oneself. Achievement Personal success through demonstrating competence according to social standards. Power Social status and prestige, control or dominance over people and resources. Conservation[edit] Security Safety, harmony, and stability of society, of relationships, and of self. Conformity Restraint of actions, inclinations, and impulses likely to upset or harm others and violate social expectations or norms. Tradition Respect, commitment, and acceptance of the customs and ideas that one's culture or religion provides. Self-transcendence[edit] Benevolence Preserving and enhancing the welfare of those with whom one is in frequent personal contact (the ‘in-group’). Universalism Understanding, appreciation, tolerance, and protection for the welfare of all people and for nature. Other[edit] Spirituality was considered as an additional eleventh value, however, it was found that it did not exist in all cultures.

One-time tasks (eg calling someone to set up a meeting)Gathering information (eg researching how to solve some aspect of your goal)Practicing a skill (eg practicing guitar for doing recordings)Reinforcing a Habit (eg eating healthy meals instead of snacking)Working a pump (eg making sales calls for your business)Testing an assumption (eg doing market validation for your business)Deep work (working directly on some core output of the goal, eg writing for a book goal or programming for a software startup goal)

Independent-mindedness seems to be more a matter of nature than nurture. Which means if you pick the wrong type of work, you're going to be unhappy. If you're naturally independent-minded, you're going to find it frustrating to be a middle manager. And if you're naturally conventional-minded, you're going to be sailing into a headwind if you try to do original research.

But schools generally ignore independent-mindedness, except to the extent they try to suppress it

It matters a lot who you surround yourself with

Another place where the independent- and conventional-minded are thrown together is in successful startups. The founders and early employees are almost always independent-minded

In my experience, independent-mindedness and curiosity predict one another perfectly. Everyone I know who's independent-minded is deeply curious, and everyone I know who's conventional-minded isn't