A Lesson In Stoicism
‘Every time we choose safety we reinforce fear’ – Cheri Huber
Today I want to discuss an unconventional way of thinking, the mindset of stoicism for success.
We are very quick to define our goals, perhaps you want to gain a certain amount of weight, move to a different city, ask that girl out on a date or invest in that speculative stock.
We want to dominate life.
Yet more often than not we end up paralysed, unable to think, unable to action the necessary steps to achieve our goal… due to fear.
There is where negative visualisation comes in.
When we really sit down and analyse what our fears are and put them in perspective 90% of the time I find them to be quite trivial.
Now, I want you to grab a blank piece of paper and a pen.
It’s time to define your fears; it’s time to delve into that ‘what if?’
Now, begin by drawing 3 columns on your page.
List 1 of your situations that you’re hesitant about at the moment at the top of the page.
In the first column on your page
list all of the possible worst case scenarios that can eventuate from you pursuing this situation, person or event.
For example – if you’re fearful of entering a fitness competition the worst case scenario for you may be coming last or embarrassing yourself while on stage.
In the second column of your page
List all of the steps you can take and strategies you can implement to minimise each of these outcomes from occurring.
For example – by practising your posing regularly before the show you could eliminate the likelihood or embarrassing yourself on stage.
In the third column of your page
List all of the steps or actions you would have to take to return to where you were before you decided to (hypothetically) take action on this situation.
For example – if one of your biggest fears is quitting your job, and you actually decided to go through with this and your plan of starting your own business or travelling abroad fell through what would you need to do to return to the same (or similar) position/job?
Send out a few resumes? Attend some more recent training courses? Network with others in your industry?
When you honestly write down all of the above on paper, divided amongst your 3 columns you will soon realise that the worst case scenario really isn’t that bad.
Remember – ‘Many a false step was made by standing still’
Now go out there and live your successful life.