I took 2 quizzes on Ray Dalio's new app and they revealed my insecurities about success - and my deep fear of failure

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I took 2 quizzes on Ray Dalio's new app and they revealed my insecurities about success - and my deep fear of failure

ray dalio app quiz 1-0

Ray Dalio/Principles in Action

Ray Dalio's Principles in Action app.

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  • Ray Dalio, the founder of successful hedge fund Bridgewater Associates, has launched a free app based on his best-selling 2017 book, "Principles."
  • The app, Principles in Action, has a section called "Case Studies," with 21 self-assessment quizzes.
  • The quizzes are designed to see how you'd fare working for Bridgewater, but they're also made to help you understand your personality in a workplace context.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Thanks to Ray Dalio's new app, I know that I have a deep-rooted fear of failure and a fear of not succeeding (and apparently, those are two very different things).

The app, Principles in Action, contains several features, but the most interactive is the "Case Studies" section, which is made up of 21 self-assessment quizzes about life in the workplace. I tried out two of these quizzes and answered challenging questions about failure and radical open-mindedness.

The app is based on Ray Dalio's 2017 best-seller "Principles." The book compiled everything Dalio learned from founding and running Bridgewater Associates, the world's largest hedge fund with over $150 billion in total assets under management. Now, the Principles in Action app lets users have the entire "Principles" book for free.

Here are some of the surprising things I learned after trying out the case studies.

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One of the case studies is about "radical open-mindedness," or the ability to keep your mind as open as possible to new ideas and ways of thinking.

One of the case studies is about "radical open-mindedness," or the ability to keep your mind as open as possible to new ideas and ways of thinking.

The first question was a straight-forward one for me. I consider myself fairly hard-headed when it comes to decision-making unless I'm trying to figure out what to have for dinner).

The first question was a straight-forward one for me. I consider myself fairly hard-headed when it comes to decision-making unless I'm trying to figure out what to have for dinner).
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As a journalist, I try to be as open-minded as possible when it comes to the news, considering the content of a news outlet before the name of the outlet itself.

As a journalist, I try to be as open-minded as possible when it comes to the news, considering the content of a news outlet before the name of the outlet itself.

Being a good listener takes years and years of practice — I personally don't think I'll ever strongly agree with this statement, simply because the title of "good listener" is nearly unattainable for most people.

Being a good listener takes years and years of practice — I personally don't think I'll ever strongly agree with this statement, simply because the title of "good listener" is nearly unattainable for most people.
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I usually don't get emotional during disagreements, but I'm only human, so I chose #2.

I usually don't get emotional during disagreements, but I'm only human, so I chose #2.

My inner mansplainer unfortunately has some life left in him. Though I've realized I still often share unasked-for opinions all the time, I've taught myself to lower my voice and admit that I may be wrong when I can.

My inner mansplainer unfortunately has some life left in him. Though I've realized I still often share unasked-for opinions all the time, I've taught myself to lower my voice and admit that I may be wrong when I can.
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If I know I have a controversial opinion (for example, I have no clue how "Game of Thrones" rose to its near-hysterical level of popularity), I keep it to myself, especially when I know I may offend someone — so yes, apologies to all Jon Snow fans out there.

If I know I have a controversial opinion (for example, I have no clue how "Game of Thrones" rose to its near-hysterical level of popularity), I keep it to myself, especially when I know I may offend someone — so yes, apologies to all Jon Snow fans out there.

Journalists ask questions for a living. But in my free time, I make statements more often, so in this case, I'm somewhere in between the two.

Journalists ask questions for a living. But in my free time, I make statements more often, so in this case, I'm somewhere in between the two.
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I know I'm biased, as is everyone, so I wouldn't believe anyone who would choose #5 on this one.

I know I'm biased, as is everyone, so I wouldn't believe anyone who would choose #5 on this one.

Everyone on the face of this Earth has the capacity to be more open-minded. I don't think anyone is totally open-minded, so I chose the next best option.

Everyone on the face of this Earth has the capacity to be more open-minded. I don't think anyone is totally open-minded, so I chose the next best option.
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This is Ray Dalio's take on radical open-mindedness, and a reminder that "I'm right" isn't the best way to enter a discussion.

This is Ray Dalio's take on radical open-mindedness, and a reminder that "I'm right" isn't the best way to enter a discussion.

Out of the other case studies, the title "I Constantly Fail" immediately caught my eye. Failure is one of the scariest things people face at work, and it happens all the time. So I decided to see what Ray Dalio had to say about the subject.

Out of the other case studies, the title "I Constantly Fail" immediately caught my eye. Failure is one of the scariest things people face at work, and it happens all the time. So I decided to see what Ray Dalio had to say about the subject.
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Most of the app's quizzes involve a situation that really happened at Bridgewater — in this case, Dalio emailed his company in 2010 with the subject line, "I constantly fail."

Most of the app's quizzes involve a situation that really happened at Bridgewater — in this case, Dalio emailed his company in 2010 with the subject line, "I constantly fail."

In my head, I know that failure is an everyday obstacle — but in my heart, I know I want to avoid it at all costs, so I fell in the middle with this question.

In my head, I know that failure is an everyday obstacle — but in my heart, I know I want to avoid it at all costs, so I fell in the middle with this question.
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After much thought, I found both of these prospects equally terrifying. Perhaps, if I really had to choose, I'd be more afraid of not succeeding.

After much thought, I found both of these prospects equally terrifying. Perhaps, if I really had to choose, I'd be more afraid of not succeeding.

Perhaps I overstated this one, but I had just come from a very intense question, after all. However, I know I have a lot to learn about the field I work in, so naturally I'm not over-confident.

Perhaps I overstated this one, but I had just come from a very intense question, after all. However, I know I have a lot to learn about the field I work in, so naturally I'm not over-confident.
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Once again, I'm not a veteran reporter just yet, and I know I have a lot to learn. Sometimes that learning has to happen in a short amount of time (say, while I'm on deadline).

Once again, I'm not a veteran reporter just yet, and I know I have a lot to learn. Sometimes that learning has to happen in a short amount of time (say, while I'm on deadline).

My approach to failure, at the moment, is not nearly as self-assured as Ray Dalio's. Failure remains a terrifying, visceral thing for most people, and I'm no different. Still, I've never lost sleep over a workplace failure (yet).

My approach to failure, at the moment, is not nearly as self-assured as Ray Dalio's. Failure remains a terrifying, visceral thing for most people, and I'm no different. Still, I've never lost sleep over a workplace failure (yet).
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After taking two of Ray Dalio's case study quizzes, I started scrolling through some more of his principles on the app. I found this one: "Learn from success as well as failure." While it may sound obvious, positive experiences at work are a great way to figure out what you've done right. While fear of failure keeps me wanting to improve myself, I have to remember that success is also a learning tool.

After taking two of Ray Dalio's case study quizzes, I started scrolling through some more of his principles on the app. I found this one: "Learn from success as well as failure." While it may sound obvious, positive experiences at work are a great way to figure out what you've done right. While fear of failure keeps me wanting to improve myself, I have to remember that success is also a learning tool.
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