“You have nothing to lose” is a reoccurring phrase we tell others to help lighten a situation in which they feel overwhelmed by pressure such as a job interview, asking a girl out for the first time or in an important business meeting for instance.
I get the spirit of which the phrase is said. I find however that saying “you have nothing to lose” to imply there is no downside but only upside of a possible action is ineffective and confusing. This is exactly because we tend to perceive a lack of upside as a downside, so when we receive this message our minds process as “there is nothing to lose but there is a win that can be lost” the whole thing doesn’t stand on it’s feet.
I feel like if you really want to get the mindset right and live free of fear a more profound and liberating motto would be “THERE IS NOTHING TO LOSE & AND NOTHING TO WIN”.
Bonus: A friend once told me –and he meant it: “There is no moment more important than other. All moments are the same”