Catastrophizing Tips - Part 1

If you’re prone to catastrophizing (spinning out in the worst case scenario), “just think positive” is useless advice. 

Switching from “I’m going to get fired” to “This is no big deal” simply doesn’t work.

Your brain is just going to say, “OF COURSE THIS IS A BIG DEAL,” and keep on keeping on.

But you can still use your prefrontal cortex to slow or stop the spin. 

Some of my favorite methods: 

🔹 Catastrophize but GO ALL IN 🔹

Our brains stop at what they think is the worst case scenario. 

For example, your brain stops at “I’m going to get fired.” 

But what if you do get fired? 

Play it out. 

Would you likely be able to find another job?  In your field? At Starbucks? 

Do you have friends or family that would support you financially? 

Do you have savings built up that you could rely on while you got back on your feet?

Show your brain that what it perceives isn’t really the worst case scenario. It might be hard, but you would be okay. 

Take it a step further and write it down. 

Research shows that putting things down on paper helps you with (1) external storage (storing information in a physical location where you can revisit it as often as you need) and (2) internal storage (internalizing and remembering things). 

🔹 Ask Yourself 3 Questions 🔹

1️⃣ What is the worst case scenario? (Hint: It’s the one your brain has already decided will happen). 

2️⃣ What is the best case scenario? 

3️⃣ What is the most likely scenario or alternative middle ground scenario? 

This shows your brain that the perceived danger isn’t inevitable. You may not believe the best case scenario will happen. 

But I bet you can believe that there is a more likely scenario than total disaster.

💡More tips coming your way this week. 

⭐️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 consult at jenndealcoaching.as.me/consult and let’s get started now on making your career so much less stressful.