I’ve learned so many lessons from my clients, but probably the greatest is the awareness that worst-case scenarios keep so many of us from taking risks and living full, challenging lives. Worst-case scenarios are what we tell ourselves when we are about to dive into something scary or when we are about to make a move in our lives. “What if it doesn’t work out?” “What if I fail?” “What if I succeed?” “What if I end up destitute or alone?” “What if?”

And here’s the thing… some of these worst-case scenarios are pretty bad. Being destitute isn’t good. Being alone could be kind of miserable, particularly if you are lonely. Failing isn’t much fun and sometimes succeeding can be a big challenge as well. In fact, it’s far easier to stay put than to face any of these worst-case scenarios, right?

Of course you know that I don’t think so. What would happen if we actually faced our worst-case scenarios? Why not go there? What’s the worst thing that can happen? Could you survive it if it did happen? I dare you to really look at that scenario and ask yourself what you would do if it panned out. I’m going to guess that you would find you’d survive it if it happened. You’ve survived everything else that’s happened to you in your life, so you’d survive this too.

Pretending the worst-case scenario is too horrible to even face is the perfect lie to keep you right where you are in life. How about looking at that worst-case scenario, having faith that you’d survive it, and putting a plan into place to handle it if it happens? How about building yourself an emotional and physical safety net so that you can go take that huge leap that you’ve been avoiding for years?

How many times have we said to ourselves, “Oh, I can’t do that. I’d be too sad if it didn’t work out?” The truth is what’s really sad is not even trying. Sadness for a failure in life is part of the adventure. Stuff happens. You can handle it. You’ve always done so prior to today so you will again. So go face that worst-case scenario, have a plan for if it happens and take a giant leap into something wonderful and fabulous right now. Your worst-case scenario will be just fine without you.

Love,

Lisa Kaplin Psy. D. PCC