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Worrying
(Photo by spaceodissey)

Do you really want to stop worrying? Then you need to face the facts.

The first fact you need to face is the chances of the thing you’re worried about actually happening.

I know people who are afraid of flying in airplanes. Their main worry is that the plane is going to crash. However, they are far more likely to get into a car wreck than they are to get into a plane accident. The chances of an aircraft accident are about 1 in 11 million, while the chances of a car accident are about 1 in 5000.

So, figure out what the chances are of the thing you’re worried about actually happening. If the chances are slim, why are you worried?

The second fact you need to face is what’s the worst that can happen if the thing you are worrying about comes to pass.

Truly ask yourself what is the worst that can happen if the thing you are worrying about comes to pass. Once you figure this out, be willing to accept the worst. But don’t stop there. See if you can improve on the worst.

Let me give you an example from my own life. Last month, I was worried that a bill would come in before I could get money into my checking account. The worst that could happen is that the bill would come in before the money did and I would receive a $35 overdraft charge. So I was willing to accept the worst, but I wanted to improve on it. I contacted a few friends to ask if they wanted to buy some of my art prints. The end result was that yes I did have to pay a $35 overdraft charge, but I made up for it by selling $200 worth of art prints.

So, if you’re worried, follow these steps:

  1. Determine what’s the worst that can happen.
  2. Be willing to accept the worst.
  3. Try to improve on the worst.

How do you stop worrying? Please share your tips in the comments.

Forward Habit’s series on worrying:

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