Have you ever had one of those days where it just felt like you were getting hit with challenge after challenge? And before you even get a chance to try and solve one, you’re already hit with another?

I had one of those days last week and as I spent some time reflecting on it, I realized how easy it is for me to jump to “worst case scenario” thinking. The check engine light comes on and your mind starts going through all the problems it might be and inevitably you conclude that you’re going to need to replace the whole transmission. You know, that kind of thinking…

The funny thing is, maybe you go out to your car later in the afternoon and the check engine light is off, or maybe you end up taking the car in and it ends up being a simple fix and you wonder, “why did I waste all that mental energy worrying about it?”

💡 It made me wonder, what if instead of thinking “worst case scenario,” I think “best case scenario?” Instead of expecting the worst, expect the best.

We’ve all probably heard about the power of visualization and how many great athletes have used it to improve performance. Recently, I even heard of a study cited by neuroscientist Dr. Tara Swart where weightlifters who simply visualized lifting weights for a period of two weeks still increased their strength by 13% even though they hadn’t lifted a single weight for that two-week period.

What I realized is that when I’m thinking “worst case scenario” and worrying about an issue, I’m actually using the power of visualization against me, which impairs my ability to respond in the best manner.

👉 So every time I caught myself visualizing the worst outcome, I started to visualize the best outcome instead, and what I noticed was a shift in my attitude and my energy.

👉 It’s not what happens to you that matters as much as HOW YOU THINK about what happens to you that matters.

👉 It’s less about the outcome and more about the attitude.

❇️ When we are in a positive frame of mind, we are better suited to solve the challenges we face.

What challenges are you facing today and how might you need to change how you’re thinking about them?

Let me know your thoughts in the comments and if you like this post, hit that 👍 button and share.