“Never bear more than one trouble at a time. Some people bear three kinds — all they have had, all they have now, and all they expect to have.”
Edward Everett Hale
Why invest energy in fear, doubt, and worry? I fully admit that, like most people, these things can overwhelm and occupy an unreasonable amount of my mind at times as well. The key is not to stay in that space but to move into something more productive. I like to use these reminders to keep my head focused on the things that truly matter.
Past Troubles – What can you learn from them to make today and tomorrow better? Focus on learning, not lamenting.
Present Troubles – How will worrying make it better? Instead, ask what you can do about it? Action is the greatest possible antidote to worry. I love to use the OODA loop process. Observe, Orient, Decide, Act. You can learn more about that HERE.
Future Troubles – What are you afraid of, and why do you have doubts? Ask yourself two questions. Is the future I am concerned about within my control? Can I be doing something today that will positively create the outcomes I want? If the answer to either question is yes, then FOCUS on DOING something. Otherwise, move it to the circle of concern and move on to the things you can control or influence.
- Learn from the past
- OODA Loop
- Focus on what you can control or influence
Positive outcome orientations are the key to living an untroubled life.