Concepts
The irreducible epistemic atoms underlying the curriculum. 4,828 atoms across 8 types
Intercept your default pressure response — one breath +…
When you notice your default pressure response activating (jaw clenching for fight, withdrawal impulse for flight, mental blank for freeze, immediate yes for fawn), take one breath and name what you are feeling before acting.
Pre-script pressure implementation intentions
Before high-stakes interactions where your default pressure response typically fires, pre-script an implementation intention using the format: 'When I notice [specific somatic cue of my default], I will [specific alternative action] before [default response].'
60-second two-column test under pressure
Before responding to any pressure situation, spend 60 seconds filling two columns—'Reasons yielding serves my values' and 'Reasons resisting serves my values'—and respond only after populating at least one column.
Three criteria for strategic yield
Test whether a yield was strategic by checking three criteria: (1) Did you consciously choose before yielding? (2) Could you articulate why yielding served values in the moment? (3) Would you make the same choice with full information? Strategic yields pass at least two of three.