13. Why Are We So Good at Expecting the Worst? (And What To Do About It).
Welcome to An Ordinary Tuesday, the podcast for people who want to create a life and future that feels like theirs.
I’m Helen Collard, and each week I’ll be sharing thoughts, ideas and conversations to help you get clearer on what you want, build your confidence, and take practical steps towards the life, business and future you want to create.
We’ll talk about the things that matter, the things that get in the way, and the small shifts in thinking and action that can lead to real transformation. Sometimes we’ll get into the practicalities of building a business. Other times, we’ll explore the questions we need to ask ourselves, the beliefs we need to challenge, and what it means to create a life on our own terms.
My hope is that you’ll find something here that makes you stop and think, see something differently, or feel ready to take that next step.
Make yourself a coffee, get comfortable, and join me for an ordinary Tuesday.
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Show Notes for This Episode
Have you ever woken up and, before your feet have even touched the floor, started worrying about everything that could go wrong? One thought leads to another, and before you know it, you’ve mentally lived through an entire day of problems that haven’t even happened.
Our minds are remarkably good at anticipating the worst. We prepare for disappointment, imagine difficult conversations and worry about the future. Yet when it comes to imagining what might go well, we’re often much more reluctant.
In this episode of An Ordinary Tuesday, I’m exploring how we can interrupt that pattern and begin to experience more joy in everyday life, even when things aren’t going exactly as we’d like.
A recent Buddhist meditation left me thinking about the idea that happiness doesn’t always have to wait for our circumstances to improve. I also share something I discovered last winter, when getting up, making a coffee and spending a few minutes journaling at the kitchen table helped me break the cycle of anxious thoughts and start my mornings differently.
We’ll look at how we direct our attention, why it’s worth questioning the stories we tell ourselves about the future, and how small habits and practical actions can help us build momentum. I’ll also share a simple challenge to help you notice more of what you enjoy, give yourself things to look forward to and start making room for better possibilities.
This isn’t about pretending everything is wonderful or ignoring the things that need to be dealt with. It’s about recognising that the worst-case scenario isn’t the only possible outcome, and that we have more influence over our everyday experience than we sometimes realise.
In this episode, we explore:
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Why our minds are so quick to anticipate problems and disappointment.
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How a simple morning routine can help interrupt unhelpful thought patterns.
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The difference between realistic thinking and automatically expecting the worst.
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Why we should give our imagination permission to consider good outcomes, too.
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How small pleasures, manageable actions and useful habits can help us build momentum.
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Practical ways to bring more enjoyment into an ordinary day.
A little challenge for this week: Notice when your mind starts predicting everything that could go wrong. Ask yourself, What if this goes better than I expect? Then choose one small action that could help you move towards a good outcome.
You might be surprised by what happens when you stop rehearsing the worst and start making room for what’s possible.
If this episode has you thinking about your own next chapter, you can find out more about The Next Chapter Pathway at helencollard.com.
If you enjoyed this episode, follow An Ordinary Tuesday and share it with someone who might appreciate a little inspiration this week.
Because sometimes, a different way of approaching life begins with nothing more dramatic than a cup of coffee, a notebook and a better question.
