Fear-Setting is a free Notion template that implements Tim Ferriss's fear-setting exercise, designed as an antidote to overthinking big decisions. Rather than avoiding fear, the template provides a structured approach to map fears clearly by defining worst-case scenarios, identifying prevention strategies, and planning repair actions if those scenarios occur.
The template guides users through three core steps: defining the worst-case scenario, determining how to prevent it, and outlining how to repair the situation if it happens anyway. Additionally, it incorporates weighing the potential upside of taking action and calculating the cost of maintaining the status quo and doing nothing.
This Notion template is designed to be reusable for every significant decision users face, providing a consistent framework for decision-making. The template can be duplicated into a user's Notion workspace with a single click, making it immediately accessible for implementation.
The creator developed this tool based on personal experience with sitting on big decisions longer than necessary, finding that fear-setting provided a structure for clear thinking rather than quiet worrying. The template has been embedded into the creator's annual review process and is now offered as a standalone free resource for others facing similar decision-making challenges.
Key Features
- •Define, Prevent, and Repair workflow: users list each fear, then specify concrete prevention steps and repair actions. This transforms abstract anxiety into a structured checklist, reducing overwhelm and showing that worst-case scenarios are manageable.
- •Benefits of Action list: prompts users to honestly write down potential positive outcomes of taking the decision. This balances fear with opportunity, often revealing larger upsides than initially assumed and building motivation.
- •Cost of Inaction calculation over 6 months, 1 year, and 3 years: forces users to quantify the long-term price of staying still. This explicit timeline makes the cost of avoidance tangible, often becoming the most confronting and motivating part of the exercise.
- •One-click duplication into Notion workspace: the template is built as a Notion document and can be copied instantly with a single click. No setup or technical skill required, enabling immediate use for any decision.
Publisher
A
admin
Launch Date2026-05-11
Platformweb
Pricingfree
Domain Authority
Ahrefs DR92/100
Traffic Insights
Month2026-04
Estimated Visits49
MoM Visits GrowthN/A(+49)
Avg Time on Site0s