Does your mind often jump to the worst-case scenarios?
"What if they think I’m not pulling my weight? What if I fail? What if things don’t get better? What if this meeting goes terribly?"
We all can fall into unhelpful thinking patterns at times. But there’s a tipping point where it’s taking you in a downward spiral and leaves you feeling more stressed and anxious.
This clouds your thinking, wastes critical energy, and blocks positive and productive action. At a time when you need your clear head, energy, and action the most.
If this is you – don’t worry. You’re not alone!
Catastrophic thinking – ruminating about worst-case outcomes of a situation – is the most common thinking trap that leads to anxiety and stress in people.
It leads you to overestimate the threat and underestimate your own resources to cope.
People typically fall into catastrophizing when: there's ambiguity, they already fear the situation, they are run down, or there's something they highly value at stake.
You might be checking all those boxes lately ;).
The good news: when you find yourself in this unhelpful thinking, you can shift your attention to more helpful thinking!
Build resilience in real-time! Here’s what you can do . . .
a) Notice without judgment. Where are your thoughts taking you – are they helping or hindering you?
b) Reframe. What, specifically, can you say to yourself or ask yourself to help quiet your inner catastrophizer? What’s a better way to see the situation?
What if everything goes right? What if I nail this project? What can I do?
c) If you need to really challenge your thoughts, look at it from different angles:
What’s the worst outcome that can happen?
What’s the best outcome that can happen?
What’s the most probable outcome to happen?
Now, put your energy into productive action you can take for each probable outcome!
d) Or . . . just go ahead and plan for that worst-case scenario and put your mind at ease! If X happens, you will Y.
You will find you are far more capable than you realize.
When you are caught up in unhelpful ‘what if’s and worst-case scenarios, that is the very moment to challenge your thoughts. It's a cue to pay attention!
The more you do this, the easier and quicker it gets. It’s a muscle you build.
Why does this matter so much?
Because your thoughts influence how you feel, which influences the action you take and the results you get.
You’ll think more clearly, have more energy, and take more positive and productive action. At the very least, you'll feel better.
It really is building your resilience in real-time.
All my best,
Want to take a next step?
If you are like many professionals right now, you are feeling exhausted trying to keep up with it all. You know something has to change.
But, you're not sure where to even start because you're too busy with the 500 emails a day and a mile-long to-do list that is keeping you up at night.
You are more impatient with your spouse, kids, or team than you care to admit.
And you need a break, but feel guilty for taking time for yourself and worry about falling even more behind.
I see you. I hear you. I was you (and it still creeps up on me at times, especially now).
I used to believe I wasn't cut out for balancing a demanding career and family, or couldn't be successful without it being so darn hard. This simply is NOT TRUE.
This is exactly why I created my new bite-sized program Real-time Resilience specifically for those of you who feel like you "have no time" so you can create more focus, energy and peace.
In just 15 minutes a day!
Each day, I will send you a short audio to connect with your heart, shift your mind and empower you to take ONE specific action. These actually free up time and energy.
There is an early bird price, 90-day full money-back guarantee and once you enroll, you will have Day 1 in your inbox the very next day. Do it in 30 days or at your own pace. You choose!
You have little to lose, and a whole lot to gain. Want to know more?
CLICK HERE FOR THE DETAILS