Positive asymmetry occurs when the potential gains or benefits of an activity are greater than the potential losses or drawbacks.
Lots of upside. Not much downside.
Fitness is a classic example!
Spend a tiny portion of your week completing a high intensity workout and you reap all sorts of benefits including greater strength, fitness, health, energy and confidence which all increase the quality of your life.
The only downside is the initial investment of hard work.
In this example the positive asymmetry is so lopsided it’s amazing regular fitness training isn’t as common as brushing your teeth.
But our brains our wired for short-term comfort over long-term reward.
So if motivation to exercise is low (it happens to us all!) remind yourself of the positive asymmetry your physical exertion will bring!