Worry is the enemy of accomplishment. The enemy of success. The enemy of living in the moment and enjoying where you are.
Whether you own a business, lead a team, or work for someone else, worry can stop you dead in your tracks, can have you focusing on the worst case scenario, and can result in a case of business or life paralysis.
“I Have a Whole Year to Worry About It!”
One night, on an episode of Everybody Loves Raymond, Raymond had anguished for a long time over what to buy his dad for his birthday. He finally decided on what he thought was the perfect gift—a fish tank filled with beautiful fish.
His father loved it. Raymond was so happy!
Later that night, he and his wife were talking about the day. Rather than being grateful that he’d found the perfect gift, Raymond began to worry.
“Oh, no…now I have to top this next year. Dad will expect something even better! How am I going to be able to find something better than this?”
His wife, with an amused glint in her eye, turned to him and said, “Well, Raymond, you don’t have to worry about it for another year.”
Raymond looked shocked. “Oh, no…You clearly don’t understand worrying—this means I have a whole year to worry about it!”
He had a black belt in worrying. He was a pro.
But it’s not just this TV character. How many of us do this?
Worrying will suck the lifeblood out of your business. It will leave you timid, risk-averse, and discouraged. It’s tough to passionately go after your goals if you’re stuck in worry.
So what can you do?
Top 3 Tips to Get Out of the Worry Habit
When we worry, we’re focusing on the worst case scenario. That needs to shift. Big time.
1. Start a Worry List
Start a worry list. When you find yourself beginning to worry, take out your worry list, put the topic you’re worrying about on your list, and get back to doing something productive or enjoyable. You’ll have a set time to come back to your list and worry. You’ll still get to worry…you’re just postponing it. You’re beginning to break that habitual pattern of worrying.
2. Block Off Worry Time
Schedule a time when you will worry. Let yourself worry for three minutes. But that’s it. Set a timer. Take out your worry list, and see what you want to worry about.
Worry for the time you’ve allotted yourself. Then move on and focus on what you DO want, rather than what you don’t want.
You might even find that when you set aside time to intentionally worry and you take out your list, you don’t even feel like worrying. You might wonder what you’re getting so worked up over.
3. Focus on the Best Case Scenario
Ask yourself, “What is the “best case scenario?” What would be the perfect outcome?
Reflect on this scenario, marinate in it, visualize it, feel it. Own it!
Then, ask yourself, “What is the first step that will take me there?”
Action takes your power back. It eliminates that stuck, powerless, overwhelmed feeling that worry creates. It gets you moving in the right direction. It’s energizing!
Take that first step toward your best case scenario. Get it done. Then take the next step.
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So what about you? Where do you let worry keep you stuck? And what tips can you share below for giving worry the middle finger?
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