“I’ve lived through some terrible things in my life, some of which actually happened.” – Mark Twain
Are you a Twain fan like yours truly? If so, check out this old post: Mark Twain, “real” shoes, and not being with the majority…
Listening to the 10% Happier podcast with Dan Harris recently, he mentioned a practice he implements when feeling anxious.
After the 85th time swirling a possible future scenario around in his head he asks : Is this useful?
What a simple yet very powerful question.
As guilty of going down that rabbit hole as anyone, I too, have found this simple question very useful in the last couple weeks. This along with a more regular meditation practice…of course.
While I don’t know if its the natural burden of the entrepreneur…the buck really does stop here… or the over active imagination of an only child that is the root cause, I often find myself creating what could very well be unlikely scenarios in my head. Both in business and in life.
Some call it preparation. Others call it anxiety. Sure, it’s useful to run out possible outcomes of events in your mind, I agree. But after the 85th time don’t you agree one must ask…is this useful?
Give it a go. Maybe it will help lighten your load as well… real or imagined.
See you on the journey.
Bonus Content! In a recent Forbes interview with Harris he shared the following 3 life tips. Enjoy!
- Don’t be an asshole. Really, kindness and compassion are the secret weapons. Being nice doesn’t make you soft, and it doesn’t prevent you from taking firm action when needed. Not being stuck in a cul-de-sac of self absorption will make everything you do more impactful.
- Find something you love and pursue it relentlessly. The happiest and most successful people I know homed in on their passion and went for it.
- Meditate. It will help provide the self awareness that will enable both of the above