My mom was a world class worrier and I modeled her and became the same. Then about 7 or 8 years ago I started to realize there was another way. I bombarded myself wioth personal development information and made a concerted effort to change the way I think about stuff. Th enet result is I have done that.

I still have times when I slip back and go all negative, but the difference now is I pick up on it really quickly and can change my respond. Of course sometimes I simply enjoy a good whine about stuff ;-)

@ Leanne – I think you made your point perfectly. It is often people with the least to worry about that do it anyway, and you’re right about the whole perception thing.

I believe the majority of the worrying will come from the people who already have a comfortable existence ie the people who will not be made broke or be in severe financial difficuly if the recession continues.

Now I have witten that I am not even sure what my point is. LOL Something along the lines of the more that a person perceives they could lose (not just money but anything) the more they worry.

Can someone else work out what I was trying to say?

Leanne Magraith | Forever Changes last blog post..A Story About a Major Business Restructure – Part 3

I just read the other post. A couple thoughts come to mind:

Reframing:
I’ve actually been using this technique for the past 7 years without knowing the term. I started doing it when I read the quotation, “Life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I respond.” After 7 years of consistent practice, my initial instinct is still worrying. However, I now ask myself the question, “How are you gonna respond?” more quickly. I look at it like this: it took me 22 years to ingrain that behavior. It may take a while to completely uproot it.

The gloves are off:
You hit the nail on the head with this line, “I like Craig because he tells it like it is. OR RATHER HE TELLS IT LIKE HE THINKS IT IS, WHICH IS ALL ANY OF US HAS THE POWER TO DO.” What makes self-help so challenging is that everyone speaks from our own experiences and what helps us. That’s why religious people become evangelists and motivational speakers spread their messages. I happen to subscribe to the “I can do anything” philosophy, because of this idiom: “Reach for the moon; even if you miss you’ll land among the stars.” Our dreams are not always attainable, but people who think that way often live very small lives. Which is perfectly fine if that’s what they want.

Can you tell I have a passion beyond top 10 lists about things? :)

Lori

Loris last blog post..Top 10 Stupid, Overpriced Things People Buy for Halloween

Work on your reframing http://www.adaringadventure.com/blog/wordpress/life-coaching/the-gloves-are-off/

Another great post.

People always tell me I worry too much. If someone leaves a negative comment on my work blog, I’ll worry about the following: I did a bad job, they have a negative perception of me, other people will then have a negative perception of me, my boss might get angry with me, and so on. It’s an immediate fear-response that unravels into a million mini-catastrophes.

It takes conscious effort to stop that dangerous mental cycle, and I have to do it all throughout my day. I think it goes back to my childhood when small mistakes equaled massive discomfort. Recognizing that helps me stop myself and ask the question, “What do I get from worrying?” I get an immediate sense of doing something–even if its just spinning mental wheels.

Just like you said, it’s wasted energy. Actions create change; I can only create positive change when I act from a place of power, not a place of fear.

Keep sending me your stuff!
Lori

Loris last blog post..Top 10 Stupid, Overpriced Things People Buy for Halloween

@ Evan – A bit of reverse psychology may help. If the Government told people they had to worry I’m sure people would be up in arms and refuse to do so!

@ Corey – Dagannabit! You have almost stolen part of my follow up. Watch this space, or more accurately another space ;-)

@ Wendi – Cool mantra! I think you’re 100% right that there is a very strong link between worrying and control.

@ Tom – I doubt it, but she has great comedic value I think you’ll agree. Not long until the American people decide. I’m not sure as I agree about worrying being more prevalent a generation ago, not sure I disagree either because I’ve never really stopped to think about it. It’s something worth pondering on a rainy afternoon.