How often do you let your mind think about how things could be if it all works out? That job you’re pursuing, that class you want to take, the thing that usually makes you anxious NOT making you anxious. What if it all works out? What would your life be like?
It’s natural to feel uncertain or uneasy about future events, but did you know that your thoughts can play a role in reducing anxiety? Giving equal time to thinking, “What if it all works out?”, can be a powerful technique to reduce anxiety and focus on positive outcomes. It can help train your brain to look for reasons it’ll all work out.
The reticular activating system (RAS) is a part of the brain that plays an important role in filtering out unnecessary information and determining what you pay attention to. The RAS is constantly learning based on what you focus on, and it can make shortcuts to positive or negative thoughts based on your habits.
When you consistently focus on negative thoughts, your RAS learns to prioritize them. This can lead to a negative spiral of thoughts and feelings, which can cause anxiety and worry about the future. However, when you focus on positive thoughts and emotions, your RAS learns to prioritize them instead. This can lead to a more positive mindset and help reduce anxiety.
But what about when you’re feeling anxious or worried about a particular situation? This is where “What if it all works out?” comes in. This technique involves imagining the best possible outcome for a situation, and focusing on that outcome rather than the worst-case scenario. By visualizing a positive outcome, your RAS learns to prioritize positive thoughts and emotions, reducing anxiety and worry.
For example, let’s say you have a job interview coming up and you’re feeling anxious about it. Instead of focusing on what could go wrong, try imagining the best possible outcome. Visualize yourself nailing the interview, impressing the interviewer, and getting the job offer. By focusing on this positive outcome and saying “What if it all works out?” to yourself, you’ll start to shift your mindset towards positivity and reduce anxiety.
By focusing on positive outcomes and training your RAS to prioritize positivity, you’ll find yourself feeling more confident and less anxious about the future. So the next time you’re feeling worried or anxious, try asking yourself “What if it all works out?” and see how it can help shift your perspective towards positivity.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for entertainment purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The author and publisher of this blog post are not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of this information. The use of any information provided in this blog post is solely at your own risk.
