What You Know vs. What You're Imagining

How much time do you spend thinking about things that you don't actually know?

You worry about how someone might react. You obsess over what someone might say. You project an event in your mind that might never happen. We treat imagined situations like they are already true. We think we know what others are thinking, and we spend so much of our time imagining how we might react to their words or actions (that may or may not ever happen).

Does this sound familiar?

I know I have spent a lot of time and mental energy analyzing, projecting, imagining things outside of my control. We all do it! And the thing is, it might be true. They might be thinking the thing we dread, the dreaded event may come to pass. But spending today worrying about what may or may not be true robs us of enjoying the present.

True optimism comes not from believing everything will be alright . . . because it may not be. It comes from knowing (deep down within yourself) that even if it does happen, if they do feel that way, if they are thinking the thought, you can handle it. You are strong and resilient, and even if it totally sucks, you will get through it.

Homework:

Grab a piece of paper and draw a line down the middle.

On one side, write What Is True—only the things you actually know. What was said. What has actually happened. Facts, not fears.

On the other side, write What I'm Imagining—the story you've built around it. The reaction you're bracing for. The conversation that hasn't happened yet.

Do this with whatever's weighing on you right now. You'll probably notice one column is a lot shorter than the other.

That gap? That's where your energy has been going. And now you get to decide—do I keep feeding the imagined column, or do I put that energy back into today?

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Office Hours:  Office Hours for August are on Tuesday August 18. This is for Editor's Circle Coaching Members as well as any Guided Revision Coaching Members who would like to touch base between scheduled coaching appointments. HERE is the link to schedule a 30-minute slot

The Weekly Draft: I will be out of town on August 9th so we will not be meeting for the Weekly Draft that day.