A lot of people cower at the foot of, say, everything they want to be doing, in fear of the “worse case scenario.”
And in some ways, they’re right.
YES.
The worst case scenario might mean horrifying consequences. It might mean shame. It might mean losing your virginity dignity.
YES.
The worst case scenario might mean panic. It might mean terror. It might mean pacing back and forth for three days in your old lady nightgown, Snickers bar hanging out of your mouth and thoughts of hysteria.
YES.
The worst case scenario might involve debt collectors. And pay day loans. And tear-jerking mental breakdowns.
But guess what?
Worst case scenarios are necessary–because without ’em, there’d be no risk.
And risk is necessary if you want to do anything worth doing.
So anytime I find myself doing worst-case-scenario roulette in my head, I do one simple thing:
I learn what I need to do to best avoid it.
Right?
Glaringly obvious, but underrated.
We get caught up in the hysteria of what could happen–and end up forgetting that we have some level of control.
:: If your worst case scenario is that you won’t have any clients, then start learning the art of marketing.
:: If your worst case scenario is that you’ll get booed out of the room, then start learning the art of charisma.
:: If your worst case scenario is that you’ll owe $20,000 in taxes and/or get sued by some crazy person on the internet for something you did/said/ate/once innocently retweeted while sitting on the john, then start learning how to legally protect yourself.
With things like the internet and giant, 25,000 square foot buildings full of trees with wisdom written all over them—also known as Barnes & Noble—there’s no excuse for not learning.
And when you learn, you not only reduce anxiety (and stop feeling like such a god damn basket case)…
…you also reduce the risk of your worst case scenario?
Actually happening.
Start thinking of worst case scenarios as a gift.
Because without the possibility of the worst case scenario?
You never allow the possibility of the best.