15-Second Feeling Rule

A discussion about managing emotional responses to negative situations, centered around Shaan Puri's approach of limiting negative emotional reactions to 15-30 seconds before moving forward.

Core Concept: The 15-Second Rule

• Everyone experiences the same negative feelings
• The difference is how long people hold onto those feelings
  • Some hold for 10 years
  • Some stay mad for 3 days
  • Goal: Feel it for 15-30 seconds then move on

Real World Applications

• Professional Criticism
  • Example: Tax advisor telling Shaan his finances were too complex for his income level
  • Initial reaction: Ego hurt for 15 seconds
  • Resolution: Hired the advisor because the feedback was valuable
• Business Relationships
  • Example: Book developer rejecting Shaan's pitch
  • Response: Respected the honesty rather than taking offense
  • Outcome: Wanted to work with them more because of their directness

Key Principles

• Allow yourself to feel the negative emotion briefly
• Focus on what you actually want from the situation
• Look for truth in criticism rather than taking offense
• Value honest feedback over ego protection
• Remember: You want the feeling you think accomplishments will give you, not just the accomplishments

Counter Perspective (Sam Parr's View)

• Rage can be a powerful motivator
• Some people achieve great things through remembered slights
• Long-term motivation can come from past rejections
• However: This approach may not lead to the better feelings you ultimately seek