How to Become Antifragile

Did you know there's a system in your body that performs better under stress?

I first heard about it from Nassim Nicholas Taleb, who wrote the book Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder.

Most people think this book is about systems, economies, and politics… and it is.

But, it’s not just about that. 

Antifragility also applies perfectly to your personal and professional development. 

So… 

What is Antifragility? 

For me, I like to compare it to working out.

When you work out, you put stress on your bones.

Weights, abnormal movements, repetitive motions…

It’s a lot for your bones to go through when they were designed to be rigid.

So, how do your bones respond to that constant, physical stress? 

Not by crumbling, cracking, or breaking… but becoming more robust. 

When your bones undergo stress…

They build up more bone tissue…

They become denser and stronger… 

And through this process, your bones become more resilient to stress. 

That is antifragility. 

If you’re not big on the gym, let’s look at another example — the Hydra.

The Hydra was a mythical sea creature from Ancient Greece who protected the Underworld. 

When humans fought the Hydra, they attacked 1 of its 9 necks.

But that’s because they didn’t know the Hydra’s superpower… 

When 1 head is cut off, 2 grow back in its place. 

It regenerates… growing twice as strong in a matter of moments. 

That is antifragility. 

Going through adversity and coming out stronger on the other side. 

Harnessing life’s unpredictabilities, so you’re ready for anything.

Knowing that no matter what happens, you’ll not only survive it… 

But you'll grow from it too. 

Resilience vs. Antifragility

Now, while antifragility and resilience are similar, there is a distinct difference between the two. 

To me, resilience focuses more on the concept of “adapt and overcome…”

But if you add antifragility into the mix, it becomes “adapt, evolve, and overcome.”

Antifragility takes resilience one step further. 

Where resilience teaches us to bounce back…

Antifragility teaches us to bounce back, and use that momentum to grow.

Both skills are important, but antifragility enables you to grow through chaos.

Every “setback” is actually a stepping stone towards your personal development…

It’s not about being unbreakable — it’s about using “setbacks” to build a stronger, more adaptable you.

3 Ways to Implement Antifragility 

So, if you’re reading this and thinking, “Hmm, I’m keen on trying this antifragility thing...”

Just remember: it’s not going to be a walk in the park. 

Your bones don’t get stronger because you want them to. 

They get stronger through continuous exposure to discomfort and stress. 

And, coincidentally, it works the same for antifragility. 

1. Seek Out Discomfort

Going to the gym usually leaves you sore, sweaty, and exhausted.

It’s a challenging feeling that some people love…

And other people don’t.

If you fall into the second category, then your current solution is probably quite simple: 

Avoid going to the gym.  

But, if you’re seeking to embody the principles of antifragility… 

Avoidance isn’t really an option. 

Antifragility requires you to step into life’s challenges and embrace the discomfort. 

So, instead of avoiding the gym… 

Join a fitness class…

Book a session with a personal trainer…

Or find a gym buddy. 

Seek out ways to immerse yourself in discomfort. 

Because, before you know it, you’ll be showing up to the gym regularly. 

The same theory applies to life’s challenges… 

Rather than avoiding them… step into the discomfort.

And when you do that, you begin to reframe what discomfort actually means.

Because in the journey of antifragility, discomfort doesn’t mean, “avoid at all costs…” 

It means, “growth happens here.” 

2. Use Stress as a Tool

Avoiding stress in our lives is a common practice.

But the crux is: life is inherently stressful.

So, rather than avoid stress…

You can use it as a tool.

When it comes to exercise, it’s nothing but stress.

You lift weights to add resistance to your movements…

That resistance makes your muscles work harder…

And working harder means more stress for your bones. 

Our instincts tell us that stress = bad (something that should be avoided at all costs.) 

But ironically, adding stress to our bodies makes us physically stronger. 

I guess that means that not all stress is bad? 

When it comes to antifragility, that’s exactly what it means. 

Taleb mentions that, stress as a tool, is like developing an immunity to a poison.

By exposing yourself to small doses of poison every day, the poison loses its potency. 

Every day, you become stronger as it becomes weaker, until one day…

You’re completely immune to its effects. 

Using stress as a tool is the same thing. 

As you face difficult challenges — and as you continue to grow through those challenges — you develop more confidence.

You start to believe that there is nothing you can’t conquer…

You start to believe that, “Whatever happens, I know I’m going to be okay.”

You start to become antifragile. 

3. Keep Learning

If you want to get fit, you’re not going to get there with “sameness.”

Using the same weights, for the same routine, will get you the same results. 

If you want to get really fit, you need to learn how to do more…

To learn something new to get new results. 

The same idea applies to antifragility. 

Take the opportunity to learn new things at any (and every) chance you get. 

If you’re not qualified for your dream job…

Learn the skills you’re missing. 

If you don’t have a community to lean on…

Learn how to build relationships. 

If you want to create a business that breaks the Status Quo…

Learn how to make that shit happen. 

You don’t become antifragile by letting life’s challenges bowl you over.

You do it by understanding that life’s challenges are an opportunity to learn something new. 

Thrive not Survive

Antifragility is about more than just surviving.

You get put through the wringer… 

You get kicked while you’re down… 

Shit hits the fan over and over again… 

And yet, you persist. 

There’s no doubt that resilience is an important trait for entrepreneurs to have. 

You need to survive the tough times this lifestyle will inevitably throw at you. 

But at what point is surviving not enough? 

At what point do you decide that you want more from what life has to offer?

At what point do you start embracing the messiness of life?

If you start working toward antifragility… 

That point could be right now. 

Stay awesome, stay powerful.