When should you worry?

I used to worry a lot.

I’d lay awake all night worrying about general “stuff” – business, personal, financial, you name it.

Sick to my stomach worry… crippling worry.

In my first “grown-up” job after college my boss pulled me aside and told me something pretty cool.

I’ll paraphrase it here:

50% of the things you worry about never happen. Don’t worry.

40% of the things you worry about happen, but you have control over them. Don’t worry.

10% of the things you worry about will happen and you have NO control over them, but you CAN control how you ACT in response to them. Don’t worry.

The bottom line is that 90% of what you worry about either won’t happen or you can clean up the mess quickly.

AND… the 10% that doesn’t fall into that category is what will make you STRONGER and BUILD CHARACTER (which is virtually always a good thing in hindsight).

Bottom line: as the Brits say “Keep calm – carry on.”

When you worry, take a moment to just think about things in a rational, calm manner. Use your rational brain and you can often help worries evaporate.

If you have a worry that is debilitating and you can’t seem to let it go. Try:

1. Talking to a friend (assuming your friend has a brain and can give you honest, helpful feedback)

2. Learn about EFT (emotional freedom techniques). There are a LOT of resources out there online about EFT.  My buddy Brad Reed has some interesting things to share on the subject here => http://www.withefttapping.com/

3. Get some professional help with chronic, debilitating worries. There’s no shame in getting help, especially if it’s crippling you.

So, what’s the answer to the question that started this post? “When should you worry?”

Answer: never.

Instead, focus on the positive action you can take in the face of your worries to blast through them and realize they are just phantoms.

To quote Will Smith, “Danger is very real. But fear (and worry) is a choice.”

Will you choose empowerment or worry? The choice is yours no matter how intense or chronic the worries.