MASTER Risk Model - Learning Resources - Mindset

Intrinsic Motivation

Write down one task today and add “because I care about…” to reconnect it with personal meaning.

Choose one project and link it to your values—why does this matter to you beyond the outcome?

Block ten minutes to work on something that energizes you—no outcome needed, just enjoy the flow.

Start your day by asking: “What would make today feel meaningful, not just productive?”

Keep a “why this matters” sticky note visible—anchor your actions to your deeper intrinsic motivation.

Say no to one task that drains your energy and doesn’t align with your deeper sense of purpose.

Journal about the last time you lost track of time while giving back—what made it deeply fulfilling inside?

Reflect on which pursuits bring you meaning now—how could you schedule more of that more often?

Explore how early passions still guide your choices today—what themes continue to energize your days?

Write about a time you were proud of effort, not results—what did that reveal about your motivation now?

Identify a moment when external pressure pulled you from purpose—how can you guard against it again?

List three values guiding this chapter—how are they showing up in this week’s choices and commitments?

Spend one hour this week on a “passion project” or stretch idea—track how it energizes your effort.

Share what drives you internally with your team—invite them to share theirs too.

Choose one task and focus on enjoyment and learning instead of outcome or recognition.

Rework a routine task to include an element that reflects your strengths or personal interest.

Speak up for a change you believe in—even if unpopular—let values guide your voice.

Declutter your to-do list—keep only what connects to purpose, curiosity, or meaningful impact.

Ask a peer what they see as your “why”—does it align with what you feel internally?

Share your core motivation with a mentor—ask if your current path reflects that drive.

Ask a teammate to observe what energizes you—ask what moments they notice you “light up.”

Discuss with a colleague what motivates you both—what’s different, what overlaps, and what does that unlock?

Ask someone when they’ve seen you most alive in your work—what were you doing, and why?

Reflect with a peer or coach on when you work hardest without needing validation—what drives that effort?

Shift “I have to do this” to “I choose to do this because…” and finish the sentence with your why.

Recast frustration as a signal: “What value of mine feels violated, and how can I realign?”

Replace “I need to finish this” with “I want to grow through this”—link tasks to deeper purpose.

When motivation dips, ask: “What deeper reason brought me here in the first place?”

Change “This is boring” to “What part of this could I make meaningful or creative?”

Reframe ambition as alignment: “What am I building that reflects who I want to become?”

Track which activities energize or drain you—does the pattern match what you truly care about?

Observe your energy across different tasks—where does attention naturally sharpen and flow?

Notice when praise or incentives sway decisions—are you staying close to your internal compass?

Notice how you feel after helping someone unprompted—what inner driver fueled that effort?

Watch yourself under pressure—do you cling to purpose or drift into autopilot and habit?

Track the “why” behind your yeses this week—are they driven by values, guilt, or obligation?

Extrinsic Motivation

List one recognition that motivates you—remind yourself of it before starting a hard task.

Share a recent achievement with your network—notice how acknowledgment boosts your focus or drive.

Create a simple reward system for a task you’re avoiding—tie completion to something enjoyable.

Add a visible progress tracker for a long-term goal—watching progress builds commitment and drive.

Identify one area where accountability could help—share your current goal with a peer or group.

Choose one task to finish before lunch and reward yourself with a treat or refreshing break.

Reflect on how recognition from family or community affects effort—what form of visibility helps most now?

Write about a time external rewards from volunteering sustained you—what truly kept you going then?

Explore moments when you chased praise too much—what impact did that have on meaningful decisions?

Journal about how stipends, awards, or kudos influence choices—do they align or clash with your values?

Think back to when you last received recognition—what impact did it have on energy and focus afterward?

Reflect on your current achievement metrics—are they motivating, distracting, or ready for redesign now?

Share your progress on a tough goal with someone influential—let visibility fuel your follow-through.

Compete with yourself using a measurable target—hit one number or milestone today.

Set a reward for hitting your weekly target—make it tangible and aligned with what you enjoy.

Publicly commit to a deliverable on Slack or email—use accountability to stay consistent.

Try a performance tool that gives badges or streaks—notice how gamification shapes your effort.

Ask your manager for feedback on one thing done well this week—notice how validation affects you.

Ask a teammate what kind of recognition motivates them—compare it to what drives you externally.

Invite your team to share how they like acknowledgment—adjust your praise style accordingly.

Ask a colleague when they’ve seen you most motivated—was it tied to reward, praise, or visibility?

Reflect with a peer on what incentives keep you engaged—what patterns help you sustain focus?

Share how external rewards helped you achieve something—ask what success looks like for them.

Ask for feedback on your reward-seeking behavior—do others see healthy drive or over-reliance?

Reframe external reward as a signal of value, not ego—“This shows what others see as impactful.”

Shift “I just want recognition” to “I want to feel seen for contributions”—clarify what feedback helps.

Change “This isn’t worth it” to “What external driver would make this feel meaningful for me?”

Recast salary goals as fuel for freedom or growth—link numbers to outcomes that matter.

Reframe visibility as influence, not vanity—ask: “What message do I want to be known for?”

See deadlines as tools to activate urgency—clarity for action, not just pressure.

Track when external motivation helps or hurts performance—what’s the threshold where it flips?

Notice what types of praise land best—public, private, outcome-based, or effort-based recognition?

Notice how competition affects your behavior—does it energize you or distract you from purpose?

Watch your response to being overlooked—what beliefs and habits kick in immediately?

Observe when you push hardest—what external factor is usually present at those times?

Track motivation on days with versus without feedback—how strong is the recognition effect?

No Fear

Name one small risk you’ve avoided out of fear—take the first small step toward doing it today.

Name one uncertain situation you’ve avoided—note what you can control and take one step toward it.

Message someone with a compliment or idea—expect no reply and treat the act as a win itself.

Say out loud: “Failure is data, not identity”—repeat it whenever hesitation shows up before a task.

Say aloud: “Uncertainty means possibility”—repeat it whenever you feel tempted to freeze or delay.

Say aloud: “A no doesn’t define me”—repeat it before asking for help, feedback, or an opportunity.

Share one time you failed and learned—remind yourself how that moment led to future growth.

Schedule ten minutes to explore a topic you don’t understand—lean into curiosity over avoidance.

Share your opinion in a community setting—even if unpopular, speak once with calmness and clarity.

Reframe a current task as an experiment—success means learning, not achieving perfection.

Choose to ask one curious question during your next discussion—even if you’re unsure of the answer.

Make a simple request you’ve been holding back—time, help, permission, or needed visibility.

Post a sticky note that reads: “What if I try—and learn?” Place it where you often hesitate.

Identify a small, unclear decision—make it quickly and treat it as a test, not a dangerous trap.

Write down the worst rejection you received—note what happened next and how you eventually grew.

Lower the stakes: pick one task you’re avoiding and do it badly—on purpose—just to get it done.

Change your desktop background to a quote about exploring the unknown—keep discomfort visible.

Add a sticky note that says: “Rejection is redirection”—place it where hesitation often shows up.

Journal about a recent misstep in a new pursuit—what story did you tell yourself, and how would you rewrite it?

Journal about a time you acted despite uncertainty in retirement—what happened, and how did it shape your path?

Reflect on an early memory of rejection—how has it shaped how you ask for chances or offer your voice now?

Reflect on where fear of failing at something new comes from—whose voice or story shaped that belief?

Reflect on what the unknown in retirement triggers—loss of status, boredom, finances, or something else?

Journal about a time your offer to help was declined—how did you internalize it, and what story followed?

Identify how fear of failure shows up in your body now—what physical cues appear before you stall or freeze?

Write about a moment when not knowing led to growth—how did the experience unfold across daily routines?

Explore what you fear most about rejection now—loss of relevance, connection, dignity, or something else?

Think of someone who embraces failure in encore work—how do they reframe it differently than you do?

Explore your decision style today—do you wait for certainty, or experiment with partial clarity instead?

Think of someone who handles “no” gracefully—what do they believe that keeps them grounded and kind?

Write about a success that came only after mistakes—how did that failure unlock something important?

Reflect on the cost of waiting for full clarity—what experiences has hesitation blocked you from having?

Reflect on when you rejected yourself by not volunteering—what would’ve changed if you had tried instead?

List three opportunities you skipped for fear of failing—what would you do differently starting today?

List three areas of life where ambiguity is present—how are you managing each one mentally and emotionally?

List three invitations you didn’t make due to rejection fear—what if you made just one of them now?

Volunteer for something uncertain this week—speak, pitch, or lead without knowing the outcome.

Make one decision this week without full information—trust instincts and document the outcome.

Pitch a new idea today even if it might not land—track how it’s received and how you respond.

Share a past failure publicly in Slack, a meeting, or a post—frame it as a growth moment.

Join a project or discussion outside your expertise—embrace learning in real time.

Ask for something you want but usually fear to request—support, resources, or exposure.

Submit something before it’s perfect—focus on contribution instead of flawlessness.

Start something without knowing the full path—begin now and adjust as you go forward.

Apply for a stretch opportunity or role even if you doubt success—focus on courage to try.

Ask a challenging question in a meeting—even if it feels risky to speak.

Try solving a problem without full research—use iteration to build understanding.

Send a message to someone you admire—acknowledge their impact, even if they never reply.

Choose to act even when only 80% ready—note what happens when you move before full clarity.

Share publicly that you’re exploring a new direction—own uncertainty and model courage.

Volunteer to go first in a meeting or workshop—step into visibility before you feel ready.

Approach someone you respect for feedback on something unfinished—show progress, not perfection.

Ask someone to assign you a task that stretches you—accept it without overpreparing.

Share a personal insight or story in a work context—model vulnerability and observe the response.

Ask a peer to describe a time they failed and learned—what shifted in their mindset?

Ask a peer how they navigate uncertainty—what do they tell themselves when clarity is missing?

Ask a trusted colleague: “How do you experience me when I’m hesitant to speak up or engage?”

Invite feedback on something you hesitate to share—track how others respond versus your fear.

Share an uncertain decision you’re facing—ask a colleague how they’d approach it.

Discuss with a peer how rejection shaped your growth—compare stories and strategies.

Share a failure moment with a teammate—ask how they might have handled it differently.

Reflect with a teammate on what uncertainty feels like—compare emotional and behavioral responses.

Ask someone you admire how they handle rejection—what mindset helps them keep going?

Talk to someone about how fear of failure shaped their career—what advice would they give younger self?

Invite feedback on how you show up in ambiguity—do others see confidence, avoidance, or hesitation?

Invite feedback after making a bold ask—did the other person notice any hesitation in you?

Ask someone how they know when fear is holding them back—compare it to your own cues.

Ask someone to share a story where uncertainty created growth—what did they learn from discomfort?

Share a rejection story in a team setting—normalize setbacks and invite others to contribute.

Ask for feedback on how you handle risk—do others see fear in you that you don’t notice?

Share how you typically react when plans change—ask a peer if they’ve noticed that pattern too.

Ask a teammate: “What’s something you wish I said or did more often?”—listen without defending.

Reframe “I’ll mess this up” as “I’m practicing being brave”—focus on effort instead of outcome.

Reframe “I don’t know” as “I’m learning”—lean into the process rather than fearing the gap.

Reframe “They’ll say no” as “This is a chance to practice courage”—treat the ask as the win.

Replace “What if I fail?” with “What might I learn if I try?”—shift focus from fear to discovery.

Change “This is unclear” to “This is an open space for discovery”—explore with curiosity.

Replace “I might look stupid” with “Trying is how I learn”—shift attention from judgment to growth.

View failure as iteration, not endpoint—what would a scientist or entrepreneur do differently here?

Turn “There’s no roadmap” into “This is a chance to create something new for myself.”

View rejection not as failure but as filtering—every no brings you closer to a better fit.

Instead of “This must go right,” say: “I’ll adjust based on what happens”—focus on flexibility.

Recast confusion as curiosity—what’s one question you could ask instead of staying silent?

Instead of “What if they don’t like it?” ask: “What if this helps just one person feel seen?”

Recast fear as readiness training—each step makes you more resilient, not just successful.

View unpredictability as agility training—each unknown builds flexibility and capacity.

Recast rejection as feedback, not identity—what signal can you use to improve next time?

Reframe high standards as pressure to improve, not proof of worth—embrace learning over proving.

Instead of “What if I’m wrong?” ask: “What might I learn by being wrong this time?”

Shift “They’ll think less of me” to “I’ll think more of myself for trying at all.”

Track when hesitation appears before action—what fear-thoughts show up, and how do they shape behavior?

Notice when you delay action—are you unsure, or simply afraid of being wrong or unprepared?

Watch how you behave when uncertain about acceptance—do you withdraw, over-explain, or go silent?

Observe someone who takes bold steps—what mindset appears when plans don’t go as expected?

Track emotions when direction is unclear—do you freeze, rush, or ask clarifying questions?

Notice how others handle rejection—what can you learn from their tone, posture, or persistence?

Watch how you recover from mistakes—do you shut down, excuse, or reflect and adapt quickly?

Observe a leader navigating ambiguity—what language do they use to instill calm and direction?

Track your inner dialogue after hearing “no”—does it spiral or stay constructive and forward-looking?

Notice your reaction when others fail—are you judgmental, empathetic, or curious about learning?

Track your self-talk with new tech or tasks—does it invite action or push you toward retreat?

Observe when you pre-reject yourself—what do you avoid just to avoid possibly hearing “no”?

Notice how your body feels when you take a risk—tight, light, or heavy—use that awareness to stay present.

Catch moments when you crave guarantees—what would acting with partial clarity look like instead?

Catch micro-signals of approval-seeking—do you adjust too quickly to avoid possible disapproval?

Catch yourself avoiding something due to fear—what outcome are you imagining, and how likely is it?

Watch how children or beginners approach the unknown—what can you learn from their open mindset?

Notice how people react to your vulnerability—do they reject you, or lean in with empathy?

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