In a conversation over the weekend, Mark told me that he “had to worry” about meeting production goals and the budget in order to provide for his family. I know this is a figure of speech, but it caught my ear with a dissonant note.
As he explained further what he meant, it occurred to me that his anxiety was part and parcel of his approach to fulfilling the role of breadwinner that is important to him. Does it have to be that way?
What we’re really talking about here is fear. Certainly big goals induce a combination of excitement and a little terror too. If they are moving us toward a chosen change, goals stretch our abilities and skills and even our concept of ourselves.
But I think that Mark was talking about something else.
Is there merit in fretting and obsessing and constantly checking to see if we are getting where we want to be? Or is it a big waste of energy? Is it possible or desirable to switch to a more positive, hopeful, visionary frame of mind?
It sure seems to me like a more pleasant way to live. But some people attribute an almost magical quality to their worrying. It goes something like this: Some things in life are fearful and awful and if I don’t keep constant tabs on them, these dire things will happen to me.
Or more specifically, If I’m not constantly worrying about my production, money and the budget, I might fall short and something awful will happen.
Sometimes I meet people who label themselves as Worriers. Like all labels it carries a burden that would best be laid down. Worry usually becomes a substitute for taking action. And as we know, taking action is essential to meeting goals.
I know some Worriers, too — and what I notice is that they often substitute “worry” as the fuel to get them motivated to either:
– think something through well enough to make a decision
– motivate themselves to take action
Like adrenaline, worry is an expensive fuel!
Great post
Nancy
My mother was a grand champion worrier! When I was telling her about my flight plans for a trip, she wanted to know when my plane took off and landed because “she had to keep the plane up in the sky” (by worrying of course) during the flight! Talk about expensive fuel!
~Janet
Worrying never really helped me in anything so a few years ago I stopped. Cold turkey. My faith increased and my stress level dropped.
Hi. You have a really great blog which I enjoyed reading. Thanks! Does anyone know whether chocolate can cure depression. I heard that it can help. Thanks.
I doubt if it will cure depression, but I know people who use chocolate for medicinal purposes.