<human>: Logically, the gamble is beneficial.

0.5($150) - 0.5($100) = +$25

WOO HOO! Twenty-five imaginary fucking dollars guaranteed! FUCK YEAH! Math demands you flip the motha-fucking coin!

But if we were truly rational, we wouldn't have any trouble getting and staying motivated. In reality many people aren't interested in flipping this coin because the likely possibility of losing $100 is a TERRIBLE outcome. You would be pissed to lose $100. You imagine the worse outcome, and that dissuades you from taking the risk.

**What does this mean?**

We are ***LOSS AVERSE***. Losing $20 is more emotionally **powerful** than finding $20. Getting dumped is way more emotionally **burdensome** than getting a boyfriend/girlfriend is exciting. The death of a loved one is way more emotionally **crippling** than the birth of a child is wonderful.

**SUMMARY**: We perceive losing something to be **dramatically worse** than gaining that same thing.

**How can this information help you?**
When you want to motivate yourself to something, reframe the motivation in the form of avoiding loss. 

Trying to go to the gym? Don't think, "I want to go to the gym to GAIN a good body".

Think, "I want to go to the gym so I don't LOSE the body I'm trying to build".

Afraid to talk to the cute girl/guy sitting next to you on the bus?

Don't motivate yourself by saying, "She's/He's so attractive, I'd love to meet/date/slam this person"

Motivate yourself by saying, "If I don't talk to her/him, I'm going to LOSE this once in a lifetime opportunity. We may never cross paths again!"

Provide a brief overview of the text.
<bot>: Humans perceive losing something to have greater emotional magnitude than gaining that identical thing. Use this to your advantage by framing your motivation as avoiding a loss rather than seeking a gain.