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Comment by psergeant | Hacker News Reader

I’ve found committing a large chunk of money, in front of friends, to causes I detest it I don’t hit my goals, to be like a magic wand for this stuff.

UKIP haven’t yet received £1,500 from me, and each week I’ve been tremendously productive and done everything I set out to with that as a threat

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That’s cool and all, but doesn’t really work if you’re trying to, say, stop being anxious on public transit.

It's arguably impossible to "stop being anxious". I mean, the harder one tries, the more anxiety. But it is possible to redirect, even in public. Perhaps adopt a centered stance. Or do something else that's unobtrusive and nonthreatening. Maybe even smile.

It is possible via behavioral therapy. Most social anxiety stems from a lack of previous success in social situations. Once you realize that people don't bite, you stop giving a shit. The public is mostly oblivious and distracted. If you think you are getting attention its far more likely that no one cares.

Source: introvert who isn't scared of the mopey public anymore

There's a difference between being an introvert and having (clinical) social anxiety. It's an irrational fear and no amount of "realizing" will help with that. Cognitive behavioral therapy however will teach you to recognize thought patterns and channel them elsewhere, but that's something entirely different from "stopping giving a shit".

Source: extrovert with lots of anxiety who loves the public but still gets irrationally scared of it at times

Exposure therapy alongside CBT has been proven to eliminate social anxiety, which is what he is saying.

Fair enough. Both are useful.

I would _highly_ recommend “Freedom from Nervous Suffering” if that’s your issue. Claims to be a book about agoraphobia, but properly fixed once and for all my fear of flying.

Beeminder comes to mind when thinking about losing money when you don't hit your goals (goes to the company). I've been too afraid to try since I'm a student with loans, but maybe it's time.

Thanks for the plug! In theory being poor just makes Beeminder all the more effective. :) You can cap the amount at risk at $5 and have it be plenty motivating to stay on track.

Actually the first derailment is $0 so if you're extra poor then you'll be very motivated to not derail even once, in order to prevent having to ever risk actual money.

And it can't hurt to try because if you do derail with the initial $0 at stake you'll have a chance to abort before there's any danger of losing your first $5.

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