Refuting Critical Thoughts by Imagining the Worst-Case Scenario

 Your inner critic can be more than a pain...much more than a pain. As we’ve discovered along our journey so far, this internal dialogue can stop you in your tracks. It often holds you back from the things you most desire and keeps you from walking the PATHS to developing an Intentional Life. It preys upon your most terrible fears in hopes that you’ll be too insecure to move forward. But what if you forge ahead anyway? What if you took the steps to live your life with purpose and pursued your dreams? What’s the worst that could happen? That worst-case scenario is what we’re going to examine today with the hopes that you’ll discover it’s really not as bad as you think. In fact, the worst-case scenario can be your best friend against your inner critic.

About the Worst-Case Scenario

The worst-case scenario is usually an exaggerated belief about the outcome of a situation. This scenario is where the mind goes when there is ambiguity or uncertainty. Fear of the unknown is powerful, and the worst-case scenario plays upon that fear in sneaky ways. The worst-case scenario turns every potential outcome into a catastrophe when there isn’t necessarily anything awful lurking about at all. Often, things turn out just fine or not as bad as you thought...and you discover you've wasted your time with worry.

How It Can Help You

Looking back on past experiences you’ve had with the worst-case scenario is a good exercise. It lets you know that usually the absolute most awful thing you imagined never occurred at all. Now, here's where this exercise can help you. Begin by using this knowledge in the present to use the worst-case scenario to your advantage. The worst-case scenario is usually playing in the background of your thoughts, but have you ever taken the time to confront it? Confront your fears. Asking yourself, “What’s the worst that could happen?” and then exploring that question can give you some insight and perspective to help you move past fear or anxiety. It helps to stop the tape that’s playing in your brain over and over. 

Overcoming the Worst-Case Scenario

Confronting the worst-case scenario is the first step to overcoming it. Asking this question puts you in the moment and into problem-solving mode. You begin to look at the situation analytically, rather than through the lens of fear. This gives you control that was lacking when you just let your thoughts run wild, giving in to the worst-case scenario of your imagination. Instead, you can now take time to consider things like what the odds may be of the very worst thing happening or what it would actually be like for you if that thing did happen. You'll begin to realize that you have power over the directions of your thoughts. Once you have a handle on things, you can move forward with intentional steps.

As you can see, the worst-case scenario doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom. You can turn things around and use it as a tool to push you forward and defeat your inner critic.

YOU have the power over your thoughts...so think the good ones!

Until the next time...

Cheers!

Lisa

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