What if it all works out?

I love trying new things out. New restaurant? Let’s order. New TV series? Let’s watch episode one. New business idea? Let’s take the first step. This is how Blissful Road started. But, I admit, I used to listen to my doubts more than that little voice in my head saying: what if it all works out?

Do these sentences sound familiar to you?

‘I joined a songwriting competition, but I don’t want to raise my hopes up. You know, there are many good entries this year.’

‘I want to pursue my postgraduate studies, but what if I can’t handle the pressure?‘

‘I am planning to start a new business, but what if it doesn’t work out well?‘

We are often encouraged to not raise our hopes up or expect the worst or don’t expect too much. . . but why? 

For us to not feel disappointed? To not feel frustrated?

Either you make it, or you don’t

There are always two possibilities in life: either you make it or you don’t. Either it works, or it doesn’t. In essence, it’s a 50-50 chance– though this may adjust contextually. But will it be wrong if things don’t work out? What if it does?

We always weigh our options when we make decisions. And it’s common for people to get stuck in their current situations because of their what-ifs. Ever wonder why every time our what-ifs pop up, it usually leans on the negative side? What if it doesn’t work out? 

What would happen if we reversed that to: What if it does work out?

I get it; if you don’t raise your hopes up, you will feel less frustrated when it actually fails. However, when we release this kind of energy to the world, we set ourselves up for disappointment!

Negative what-ifs make us stuck

Let’s discuss why negative what-ifs usually leave us stuck and paralyzed. Shall we?

It promotes anxiety

Let’s be honest; negative what-if questions may lead to overthinking and overanalyzing. And when you are trapped in this train of thoughts, it leads to anxiety. 

What if I couldn’t find another job if I quit this stressful, unsatisfying job? What if my partner wouldn’t understand me and left me instead? What if I couldn’t cover the expenses if my business doesn’t work out?

In effect, these thoughts leave you stressed, anxious, and worried. Take note, none of these hasn’t even actually happened yet except for in your head.

It encourages complacency

Negative what-ifs lead you to be complacent. It resorts to you just accepting what your current situation is:

This job is unsatisfying and stressful… but it is better than being jobless.

I want to tell my partner that his drinking and smoking bother me so much, but he might not understand and take it against me and leave me instead.

I truly want to open a business… but I might not be able to provide for my expenses if it doesn’t work out.

As a result, no action is taken. Don’t get me wrong, being complacent is not all bad. However, we might miss out on some important things or opportunities if we become too complacent.

It discourages growth 

It’s cliche, but as they say: ‘change is the only constant’. Entertaining negative what-if thoughts hinder you from doing just that. 

You stay in an unsatisfying and stressful job – you hinder yourself from realizing what a satisfying job would feel like.

You worry that your partner will not understand and will leave you instead – you allow yourself to be in a relationship without openness and understanding.

You worry about not being able to cover expenses if your business doesn’t work out – you hinder yourself from exploring other possibilities in store for you.

In effect, you remain stagnant, trapped in your current state. Note that people are meant to grow! 

I can go on and on and give many other examples of having negative what-ifs. But my real intention is to make you realize why you need to stop them and turn them into positive what-ifs instead. 

What if it all works out?

Let’s flip them to What if it all works out? Here’s how:

Have the courage to make a change

When something doesn’t feel right (maybe in your job, your partner, your financial circumstances), dig deeper. Look into yourself. Be honest. Listen to your inner voice to have the courage to make a change. Stressful situations usually take their toll and might catch you off-guard. These may lead to irreparable damage. So, have the courage to step up and make that change before it gets out of control.

Settling with a comfortable life doesn’t always guarantee physical and mental health. Furthermore, it doesn’t always guarantee satisfaction.

What if another job opportunity is waiting for you around the corner?

What if your partner regards your feelings and opinions and would make necessary changes in his behavior?

What if that business endeavor is bound to be a success?

You will not know all these if you don’t dare to make a change. Remember, there’s beauty in uncertainty.

Celebrate yourself and your abilities

The only person who knows you well is you. Place a bet on yourself. Deep down, you will know what suits you and what doesn’t. Chances are, if you make decisions, you more or less know the expected outcome. These what-if questions, are they serving you? If not, it wouldn’t hurt if you dismissed them. 

Keep an open mind

Let’s face it, things don’t always turn out positively. However, be open to thinking about ‘the best-case scenario’ rather than the ‘worst-case scenario.’ Fix your mind to having a positive outcome but be prepared if it doesn’t. You may want to devise a plan of action if things don’t work out the way you want them to. In this way, you can control the impact it may cause you.

Take a deep breath, relax, and refocus

Always be ready to pick yourself up if things don’t go your way. Remember to take failures as opportunities for growth to unleash your hidden potential. Some crises are meant to strengthen you. So dive in and just take a deep breath, relax and refocus!

Thinking about outcomes does alleviate worry. But flipping what-ifs to positive ones can make you feel more hopeful.

Bad outcomes are sometimes inevitable. We cannot avoid them, but we can survive them. And to help you survive whatever outcome, remember they are stepping stones toward your desired outcome!

A cool way to flip your what-ifs is to wear a great reminder that it could all work out! I have just the perfect shirt for that! Click here to shop!

Have a blissful week!