“I’m worried if I can find a job.”
“I’m worried if I can get into a Master’s programme.”
“I’m worried if I can finish everything on time.”
Sometimes I wonder if people want their worries to materialize.
Because that’s all that worrying does.
It materializes that which you tell yourself you don’t want.
Two reasons: negativity and inertia.
Worrying about this.
Worrying about that.
All you’re doing is making yourself feel worse.
And – knowingly or unknowingly – you’re telling your subconscious that these worries are important to you.
Which turns everything into a cycle of negativity.
One that attracts the outcome you’re trying to avoid.
You also lose a sense of ownership. Of control.
By worrying, you’re telling yourself you’re leaving it up to the universe.
You’re distancing yourself from the situation.
Looking at it as if you have no say in the matter.
Leading to inertia.
And.
More.
Worrying.
Once you realize this, everything becomes so simple.
You change your “I worry” statement into a positive or affirmative statement, make your plan and get to work on the things that are within your control.
You’ll quickly realize: there is so much more within your control.
Internalize this and you’ll know: everything that happens in your life is within your control.
Let me take a step back and guide you through the process.
Of turning your worries into happiness.
“I’m worried if I can get a job.”
Step 1: “I’m getting a job.” (more advanced: “I got a job.”)
Step 2: Which kind of job do I want?
Step 3: Where can I find this kind of job?
Step 4: Who or what do I need to know, be capable of, have experience in, be skilled at or be interested in?
Step 5: How can I check all the boxes in step 4? How much time does it take and in which order should I tackle them?
Step 6: Write everything in step 5 down, order them, hang it on your wall and go to work.
Bonus: Who can I talk with to learn more about my desired job, company, industry and any further advice on this career path? How can I provide value to and surround myself with people who are already doing what I’m doing?
“I’m worried if I can get into a Master’s programme.”
Step 1: “I’m getting into this Master’s programme.” (more advanced: “I got into this Master’s programme.”)
Step 2: Decide on the university and programme I want.
Step 3: Find out what all the requirements are and contact alumni or current students to learn more about the programme and university.
Step 4: Based on the information and feedback in step 3, make a list of all the things I can do between now and the application deadline to improve my odds. Hang this on my wall.
Step 5: Go to work and cross things off my list one by one.
Bonus: Continue to talk with anyone who is doing or has done what I’m aiming for. Improve my plan based on their feedback. Think about how I can provide value to them and surround myself with these kinds of people.
“I’m worried if I can finish everything on time.”
Step 1: “I’m finishing everything on time.” (more advanced: “I finished everything on time.”)
Step 2: List everything that needs to get done and by when it needs to get done.
Step 3: Check my list. Which tasks can be delayed? Which tasks can be given to someone else? Which tasks can be removed?
Step 4: Reorder my list based on “when done, this makes everything else on the list easier.”
Step 5: Hang the list on my wall and get to work. Cross things off the list one by one.
Bonus: Get too overwhelmed by the length of the list? Attach a second piece of paper that covers all tasks except the one I’m working on. Finished with my current task? Move the second piece of paper one row down and continue on with my day.
Want your worries to become a reality? Keep worrying.
Don’t want that? Reframe your mind, make your list and get to work.
Others can help you.
But they’re not responsible for your life.
Your life depends on none other than yourself.
Internalize that and happiness will never leave you.