3 Things You Can Do With the Energy You Spend Worrying - Tips from a Philadelphia Life Coach
- Date: 2008-04-23 - Word Count: 692
Share This!
Worry about possible negative outcomes undermines you as few other things can. There is no problem in the world that has ever been made better through worry. There is no disaster that has ever been averted because someone worried about it.
Focusing on potential negative outcomes distracts you from the present and disempowers you. The anxiety you create prevents you from thinking clearly. Paying attention to the negative makes it difficult to remember or access your very real strengths and abilities.
Worry's saner cousins, carefulness and conscientiousness, serve the important purpose of ensuring you have done everything possible to create a safe and positive outcome. That is helpful. Worry is never helpful.
Worry is Energy
When you give energy to whatever it is you fear, it appears larger and more significant than it really is. Like those two-story balloons you see in the Thanksgiving Day parades, your fears take on enormous proportions. They seem to tower above you. The truth is that they are only filled with air! When you reclaim the energy of your attention, your fears collapse to the ground and lay in a crumpled heap at your feet.
Think of the times when you have been stuck in worry. You put all kinds of energy into imagining negative outcomes and the disastrous consequences those outcomes could create. The more anxious you became, the more energy was drawn into the vortex of worry, increasing its intensity and its power.
Think of the times you've procrastinated. Look at the time and energy you put into unnecessary activities, like emptying the dishwasher or doing the crossword puzzle. Remember the growing feeling of apprehension as the deadline for completion approached.
The energy that fuels worry is entirely neutral. You can direct that same energy into positive channels once you commit yourself to do so. Doing this will help you achieve success.
Three Ways to Channel Energy in Positive Directions
It's easier to redirect your energy if you have something specific to focus on. Here are three ways you can channel your worry energy so you can use it to achieve your goals.
1. Plan
Often worry results from feeling overwhelmed. There are too many things to do and too little time to do them. The options spin around in your head so fast that any one item can feel like two or twelve.
Pause, step back, take stock, make a list and identify what needs to be done and when. Prioritize. You can take your planning further and identify others who might help you with one or another part of your project.
Gaining perspective in this way is incredibly empowering. It slows things down and provides direction. It clarifies just what steps you need to take, which ones you need to do first and when you can do them. You enable yourself to move ahead with clarity and focus.
2. Just Do It
Sometimes what is needed is simply to act. It may matter less what you do than that you simply do something that moves you forward toward your goal.
Once your energy gets directed toward addressing the challenge, it will continue to flow in that direction. Accomplishing even a small step can encourage you to take the next step and then the next. Before you know it, a momentum will develop and you will be well on your way toward achieving your goal.
Think of the times you procrastinated. Sooner or later you actually got going and accomplished the task. It may as well be sooner than later.
3. Visualize Success
You can create a positive expectation by visualizing success in the challenge you are facing. Consciously replace the disastrous outcomes you fear with images of success.
In a state of deep relaxation you can imagine a positive outcome for the situation you are dealing with. Pay careful attention to everything you do that contributes to your success. Notice how that success feels to you.
This is a technique that successful athletes use to achieve peak performance. It will help you to succeed, too.
Your energy is vast. The more aligned it is, the easier it is to achieve your goals. Worry energy messes up that alignment. Redirect your energy in positive ways and you are sure to make your good life better.
Focusing on potential negative outcomes distracts you from the present and disempowers you. The anxiety you create prevents you from thinking clearly. Paying attention to the negative makes it difficult to remember or access your very real strengths and abilities.
Worry's saner cousins, carefulness and conscientiousness, serve the important purpose of ensuring you have done everything possible to create a safe and positive outcome. That is helpful. Worry is never helpful.
Worry is Energy
When you give energy to whatever it is you fear, it appears larger and more significant than it really is. Like those two-story balloons you see in the Thanksgiving Day parades, your fears take on enormous proportions. They seem to tower above you. The truth is that they are only filled with air! When you reclaim the energy of your attention, your fears collapse to the ground and lay in a crumpled heap at your feet.
Think of the times when you have been stuck in worry. You put all kinds of energy into imagining negative outcomes and the disastrous consequences those outcomes could create. The more anxious you became, the more energy was drawn into the vortex of worry, increasing its intensity and its power.
Think of the times you've procrastinated. Look at the time and energy you put into unnecessary activities, like emptying the dishwasher or doing the crossword puzzle. Remember the growing feeling of apprehension as the deadline for completion approached.
The energy that fuels worry is entirely neutral. You can direct that same energy into positive channels once you commit yourself to do so. Doing this will help you achieve success.
Three Ways to Channel Energy in Positive Directions
It's easier to redirect your energy if you have something specific to focus on. Here are three ways you can channel your worry energy so you can use it to achieve your goals.
1. Plan
Often worry results from feeling overwhelmed. There are too many things to do and too little time to do them. The options spin around in your head so fast that any one item can feel like two or twelve.
Pause, step back, take stock, make a list and identify what needs to be done and when. Prioritize. You can take your planning further and identify others who might help you with one or another part of your project.
Gaining perspective in this way is incredibly empowering. It slows things down and provides direction. It clarifies just what steps you need to take, which ones you need to do first and when you can do them. You enable yourself to move ahead with clarity and focus.
2. Just Do It
Sometimes what is needed is simply to act. It may matter less what you do than that you simply do something that moves you forward toward your goal.
Once your energy gets directed toward addressing the challenge, it will continue to flow in that direction. Accomplishing even a small step can encourage you to take the next step and then the next. Before you know it, a momentum will develop and you will be well on your way toward achieving your goal.
Think of the times you procrastinated. Sooner or later you actually got going and accomplished the task. It may as well be sooner than later.
3. Visualize Success
You can create a positive expectation by visualizing success in the challenge you are facing. Consciously replace the disastrous outcomes you fear with images of success.
In a state of deep relaxation you can imagine a positive outcome for the situation you are dealing with. Pay careful attention to everything you do that contributes to your success. Notice how that success feels to you.
This is a technique that successful athletes use to achieve peak performance. It will help you to succeed, too.
Your energy is vast. The more aligned it is, the easier it is to achieve your goals. Worry energy messes up that alignment. Redirect your energy in positive ways and you are sure to make your good life better.
Related Tags: success, achieve your goals, philadelphia life coach, life coach in philadelphia
Drawing on skills and expertise developed over 30 years experience, Philadelphia Life Coach Jeannette Samanen PhD provides effective life coaching, empowering you to achieve your goals. You will receive her free article "5 Easy Steps to Access Your Inner Wisdom" when you subscribe to her "Make Your Good Life Better" newsletter at www.achieveyourgoals.com. Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- The Resurgence of Fred Perry Clothing
Summer might long be over and Wimbledon may be a distant memory, however the fashion is a year round - Uncovering Men's Tank Tops
I don't know a thing about you, but I'll bet that you have worn a tank top. Tank tops have also been - Make Use of Silk Scarves to Take Good Care of Your Skin
In the event you are new about silk scarves, you could never read about this particular feature of s - Just For Men Scarves - the Preference For Guys in the Vogue Domain
If you are not certain what style of present you could provide for men, maybe you can consider men s - Think Black Friday Shopping is Beyond Your Budget?
Moms who are juggling the bills and still trying to provide the perfect holiday gift to loved ones a - How to Make Conscious Shopping Choices
Many people have heard the phrase "voting with your dollars" and they understand that it means your - Silk Scarves - Unique Present Approach in Xmas Seasons
The most prevalent silk add-on is scarves, and many focus is presented on inspired designing on thes - Benefits of an Aloe Vera Shampoo
A lot of people are not aware of the specific benefits that using an aloe vera shampoo can do to the - How Effective is the Power of Your Subconscious Mind?
Most people are bombarded with this thought whenever they feel weak and wish to affect certain chang - Silk Scarf - the Record For Human Being in the Style History
Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries the worldwide recognition of silk scarves developed dramatica
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Surf and Turf: the Race Track
Surf and Turf: The Race TrackOne of the favorite places for The G to hang out at, especially in Summ - Are You Looking For Cholesterol Drugs Without Side Effect?
High cholesterol level is probably one of the widely spread complication among Americans. Almost for - Friday the 13th could be a lucky day?
Friday the 13th sounds unlucky ? Traditional superstition ? And a lot of people dislike it and beli - Don't Judge A Man
Our world is full of bad tongues, fault-finders, gossipers, mockers, and insulters but do these grou - When Personalized Gifts Make a Difference
Finding the right gifts for a particular occasion is always a challenging task. Sometimes it is nic - Managing My Resistance: Learning To Flow With What Life Offers
One of the things that interests me most about conflict is the tendency to resist it and the ways in - What Are Horoscopes Based On?
If you do not know much about astrology, you may wonder what are horoscopes based on and how astrolo - 7 Dumbest Relationship Mistakes Smart People Make
We often find ourselves amid the wreckage of a love gone wrong, wringing our hands and asking, "Why - Motivation as the heart of self improvement
You should be able to find several indispensable facts about Motivation in the following paragraphs - Is Complete Abstinence from Use of Paychoactive Substances Necessary for Recovery?
Can a sober alcoholic in recovery who has no history of abuse of marijuana, use marijuana without