JOURNAL: CREATE YOUR BEST CASE SCENARIO

More often than not, our first instinct when we want to make a change in our lives or try something new is to picture the worst-case scenario. We overthink, imagine everything that could go wrong, and then sadly, often let it hold us back from actually taking a chance. 

Self-doubt can be paralyzing—it not only holds us back in life, but it also creates an experience where we never feel enough, comparison runs rampant, and every moment is “not the right time.” It can also be a common form of resistance. So the question becomes—how do we win the battle with these feelings so that we can take confident action despite fear and conquer the urge self-sabotage when it arises? 

The answer? By training our minds. Instead of first seeing the worst-case scenario—choose to create, plan, feel, and see the BEST-CASE SCENARIO. Whenever you're coming up against a grain of doubt and picturing the worst that can happen, stop. Use the exercise from Joe Dispezna's book Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself and literally say, CHANGE, out loud to stop the story in its tracks. Then, try this exercise and see what unfolds…

EXERCISE: While it’s natural for us to explore the worst-case scenarios (especially when the negative mind is particularly strong)—what is the best-case scenario? Imagining success is the first step of embodying it. This week, what if we made it a game to try things we’re most scared to do (Take that dance class! Make the budget! Send that text!), and weakened the self-doubt blocks? 

Additionally, if there's a particular self-doubt story that's running rampant in your head, try journaling. Write out the BEST-CASE SCENARIO instead. Go ALL THE WAY. See it to the very end. Explore what's on the other side of you actually doing the thing vs. staying on the sidelines. Then, use knowledge to back up your dream and commit to doing one thing differently. As Bob Proctor says, “Confidence is understanding. Study YOU.”