Spinning in the Worst Case Scenario - Catastrophizing
Catastrophize: to imagine the worst possible outcome of an action or an event.
My lawyer brain LOVES to catastrophize. I’m really good at it. But it rarely serves me.
The same is true for you if you are a catastrophizer.
Here are some examples:
You get an email from your boss that says “Can you stop by my office so we can talk?” and your brain decides you’re getting fired and will never work in this field again.
Or you haven’t heard from your significant other all day, and your brain decides they don’t love you any more or something terrible has happened to them.
Or you keep spinning in the potential worst outcomes of one of your matters (like doom Googling the elements of a malpractice claim).
Catastrophizing is completely normal.
Our primitive brains evolved to expect and prepare us for the worst case scenario because, a very very long time ago, the worst case scenario was likely and deadly.
Humans were in actual danger all the time.
So your lizard brain is trained to prepare you for the lions or bears.
To prevent starvation.
To keep you from wandering alone without the safety of your group.
The ability to catastrophize literally saved the lives of our ancestors.
Your brain is still trying to save yours.
But it doesn’t do a great job tell the difference between a 🦁 and an 📧.
Then law school basically teaches you how to be a master catastrophizer. It’s an asset to be able to see every possible negative outcome for your clients.
But it isn’t nearly as much fun or helpful when it isn’t helping you help a client.
Interestingly, when you think about the worst case scenario, your brain reacts as if the worst case scenario is actually happening.
So when you have the thought “I’m going to get fired”… you experience the emotion you would have if you had ACTUALLY BEEN FIRED.
You experience that shame. Or that panic. Right now. Even though you haven’t been fired.
Then you show up in ways that makes the situation worse. Ruminating. Not doing your work. Etc.
Fun right? And super useful.
But don’t fret - I’ve got you!
⭐️ If this sounds like you, grab my free Catastrophizing workbook and get yourself on the list for more good free stuff: https://mailchi.mp/jenndealcoaching/catastrophizing.
A ❤️ note to you: I love working with catastrophizers. Why? They are, at their core, problem solvers. That’s what your brain is trying to do when it’s catastrophizing, but it isn’t using the right tools for it. I can help you with that! Send me an email or sign up for a free call with me at https://jenndealcoaching.as.me/consult and let’s get started now on making your career so much less stressful.
