Are you a worrier? You're not alone! Most of us spend huge amounts of mental energy worrying about about what will probably never happen or over which we have no control. In this show, I give you 4 steps to help you stop worrying. Listen as I describe how I used these steps to change my own life:

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Show Outline:

"I will not waste my days making up all kinds of ways to worry about all the things that will not happen to me" - Jason Mraz - Living In The Moment
Worrying about something is projecting a negative outcome on something that hasn't happened.
Worrying is a story that you are writing in your head and, though you might not believe it right now, you can write a different story.
I was a worrier! I worried about everything. Truth is, I still battle this, but I have trained myself to catch myself doing it and can now correct rather quickly--you can too!
Part of it was my low self-esteem, part was the many hardships I actually had suffered and assumed would continue, part was my pessimistic, negative outlook on myself and life.

I worried about money, health, business deals, relationships, phone calls that didn't come when I expected them, visitors who didn't show up on time or never arrived at all, how someone interpreted what I had said, was my presentation strong enough to get the deal, was I attractive enough, would I remember the lyrics or chords, would they like me,... the list is very long


"I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened." ― Mark Twain
I learned how to control and even stop worry when I learned that everything is a script I am constantly writing, a movie I am constantly directing. I learned the E+R=O formula can be applied to the future, to events that haven't happened yet!
I learned that setbacks are only ever devastating when you think they'll last forever--they never do unless you choose to let them.

My daughter died in 2000. I didn't think I would ever get over that pain. I did.
I've filed bankruptcy 2x. I didn't think I'd ever recover emotionally or financially. I did.
One year ago, I had an advanced-stage cancer diagnosis--I got through it and am doing great!
I know people who have lost everything in fires, floods--they rebuild.


"Never place into your imagination any thought that you would not want to materialize." Dr. Wayne Dyer

Thoughts become things, we get more of what we focus on.


Step 1: Change the story, your thoughts about the future!

I can see myself being, doing, experiencing the exact opposite of my worried thoughts
I can operate in the present with the desired end in mind, and operate "as if" it was guaranteed to work out just like I want.
See your life as you want it to be and start living AS IF

Life Plan
Athletes visualize the completed event. Sculptors see the image in the stone and just release it.




Step 2: Practice living in the moment:

Mindfulness - the act of controlling your mind to only think about this very moment.
How are you right now? I mean right now! With no reference to the the past (even 2 minutes ago), and no desires for the future. How are you right now?
In the hospital, I took a breath, held it and listened to my heart beating. I said "thank you" that my heart was beating and that I was able to breathe, and able to focus on the moment, instead of worrying about the future


Step 3: Change your physical state:

You can change your mental state by changing your physical state:
Stand up and stretch--arms wide, fingers open, back straight, up on toes
Hold a pencil in your mouth to force a smile
Go for a walk and intentionally notice every detail of the ground, plants, animals, sky, air, smells


Step 4: Your life has a purpose and a plan

Whatever has happened, is happening now, and will happen is all part of the plan. Embrace it. Own it. Use it.