From WOLF to ALPHA : Worries of Our World

“Worry is like a rocking chair: it gives you something to do, but it never gets you anywhere.” Erma Bombeck

Our life experiences, our core beliefs, our carefully crafted self-image and understanding of the environment and people around us, determine how we think, feel, and act in our daily lives. We use this understanding to create a perception of our circumstances, to make sense of the world, and create a reality that is more palatable or far worse than what it actually is. This is where the worries in our world take center stage, playing the role of the much-maligned antagonist, whose purpose is to hinder and impede our progress. Worrying is the result of ideas and outcomes we craft in our mind and is based on our perception of what might happen, ultimately inhibiting our ability to see a clearer image of what can and could occur with a different, more optimistic perspective. Our journey begins with identifying our tendencies to worry, to fear the unknown, to shy away from change and to turn what “could be” into “never was.” Worry leads to doubt, doubt leads excuses and inaction, and inaction leads to missed opportunities for growth and discovery, and the disintegration of living our best possible lives.

“Don’t use your energy on worry. Use it to believe and find a way” Karen Salmansohn

Have you ever felt compelled to speak to your boss with an exciting idea you have, or tell a someone how you truly feel, but don’t because you are worried of what their reaction might be, and how it will affect you and your relationship with them? Was there a job opportunity that came across your desk, that you could see yourself being both great and happy in, but your worry of leaving your current, comfortable situation and the unknowns that come with such a change, keep you from taking the chance at something better and exciting? Have you looked at yourself in the mirror and thought you would like to start going to the gym, to be a healthier and more confident you, but decided that your worries about members staring at you, or your inexperience in the wellness sector greatly outweigh the benefits of building a strong body and mind and thus, you did not take action?

Let’s take the last scenario for example. Yes, most, if not all of us, do not like speaking in front of groups of people, let alone operating a row machine we have little understanding of. However, like I have told some of my former students who were nervous prior to an upcoming presentation, many of their classmates are not watching, analyzing, and picking apart everything they are doing, instead, they are likely thinking about when they have to present, and have their own worries, thoughts, and expectations to deal with. At the gym, it is very likely that many of the members are focused on their routines and are actually paying little attention to you and others. In my experience, some members may even kindly offer insight into how to properly operate the row machine that you are treating like an undiscovered and mysterious piece of alien technology. We often think we are the center of attention, wherever we go, and we let our minds take us to “worst-case-scenario-ville,” without a lot of concrete evidence and experience to justify the trip.

The foundation of my process is to show you how flipping your perspective, looking at something through a more optimistic lens, rather than a negative one, can lead to growth and unforeseen and wonderful opportunities. A closing thought before we get into our first activity together. What if you took the perspective that joining the local gym could only result in universally positive and rewarding outcomes? Remove your worries and fears about joining and simply do it. You may meet your future wife/husband, or best friend there. You could in committing to a membership, spark an interest in both your wellness and those of others, and join the staff, leading to a new career rooted in purpose and self-care which can only be beneficial to you and those in your life. At the bare minimum, your decision to act, rather than ruminate, will have a direct and positive impact on your mental, physical, and emotional well-being so good on you.

The first activity in your journey to becoming an ALPHA, entitled “Worries of Our World: And How to Tame Them,” will help you to identifying the worries and fears that are keeping you from taking your first step.

BELOW YOU CAN VIEW AND DOWNLOAD THIS ACTIVITY. GOOD LUCK!

From WOLF to ALPHA, is a process, that we can utilize in all facets of our lives, to identify and remove what is holding us back from reaching our potential, from growing and becoming the ultimate version of ourselves. “WOLF” focuses on the aspects of our self that create a fixed, limiting perspective and mindset in our daily lives. “WOLF” stands for Worries, Obstacles, Limiting Beliefs, and Failure. In the post today, we discussed the Worries of our World, and how to identify and remove them to change our perspectives. I will leave you with a quote from Benjamin Franklin. “Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.” Join me in my next upcoming post, where we dive into “Obstacles into Outcomes” and how you can overcome them on your way to becoming your ALPHA.

with regards,

Man With a Plan.