Comments on: Never Worry Again! Interested?

By: Sasha

Sasha — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 17:08:15 +0000

Wow this was a long time ago when everyone was writing on this but I just started researching this bc it just started bothering me alot!
I am a constant worrier and it is very hard to change my way of thinking, I am slowly trying change this but like I said this is very hard…if I did the braclet thing, it seems like I would be switching the braclet like a million times a day that is how much i worry. I really drives me nuts, I want to go to someone for help but I thought i would check out the internet first to see if i can get some self help instead of spending $ on it………..can someone give me some more advise on this?

Thanks

By: Alex Shalman

Alex Shalman — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 10:45:46 +0000

I agree that it is important, if worry should arise, to try to track down and analyze the source of this study. Such is the study of oneself. However, I also believe that once the source is found, or the realization that worrying is not conducive to happiness is arrived at, then it’s time for the next action.

By: Albert | UrbanMonk.Net

Albert | UrbanMonk.Net — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 03:54:21 +0000

Nice stuff Alex! To add my 2 cents, I think the key is as you said – catching yourself at the start of worry. It’s sorta like a balance between what Steve Aitchison is saying. Worry is not good, but the start of worry is a sign that something is wrong, a boundary has been crossed, time to do something. So your plan of switching immediately to planning mode is very appropriate, but not removing worry altogether.

Cheers,
Albert | UrbanMonk.Net
Modern personal development, entwined with ancient spirituality.

By: Alex Shalman

Alex Shalman — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 03:20:12 +0000

Hi Jenny! That’s an interesting quote your husband has up, and it totally relates to what I am saying. If you aren’t moving forward, you are moving backward.

I’m glad you stopped by, I was just looking through my cell phone, saw your name, and wondered where you disappeared to.

By: Jennifer Mannion

Jennifer Mannion — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 22:27:33 +0000

Hey Alex,
Long time no speak! GREAT post! My husband has a quote on his wall although I don’t know who it is from, “worry is negative goal setting”. I totally agree. As a mom it is hard to leash the worry sometimes but I am doing better at “letting it go” and figuring out how to be proactive instead of reactive. Thanks so much — I like the look of your new site! Gratefully, Jenny

By: HD BizBlog- The Blog: Productivity in Context » Blog Archive » Conquer Your Fears - Sharing on Saturday

Sat, 15 Dec 2007 13:19:42 +0000

[...] Alex suggests that you never worry again: People tend to worry mainly about their money, health, and relationships. This seems to be a [...]

By: @Stephen | Productivity in Context

@Stephen | Productivity in Context — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 16:49:08 +0000

Wow, so many readers named Stephen! This is a great article, I am a big fan of not worrying. In fact, my wife is worried that I do not worry enough! heh

So many times I have seen otherwise rational people get completely bogged down by worrying about things that they cannot change. To combat this kind of debilitating thinking I keep this quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson on the front cover of my organizer, (it’s been there for years):
To laugh often and much,
To win the respect of intelligent people and
the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics
and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty;
To find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better,
whether by a healthy child,
a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier
because you have lived.

This is to have succeeded.

When I think about this, any kind of worries become baseless and go away.
Thanks for your inspiration.

By: Stephen Hopson--Adversity University

Stephen Hopson--Adversity University — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 16:23:11 +0000

To “Never the Same River Twice:”

Yes, yes, yes, that’s a great way to change your habits. This reminds me of what a pastor of a church from the midwest started. You can go here to check it out:

http://www.acomplaintfreeworld.org/index.html

They are doing exactly what you’ve been doing. Everytime the braclet wearer catches himself complaining, he moves the braclet to the other wrist! A fabulous idea if you ask me.

By: Never the Same River Twice

Never the Same River Twice — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 16:09:52 +0000

Speaking as a person who’s had problems with anxiety and excessive worrying in the past (and sometimes even now), I know that it takes a lot of diligence to “flip the channel.”

I’ve been able to improve my mental health considerably by using some techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. One simple technique is to wear a bracelet or rubber band around your wrist. Whenever you catch yourself worrying, move the bracelet to the other wrist and re-direct your thoughts. This helps keep you mindful of your thoughts and it becomes easier over time to change directions.

By: Alex Shalman

Alex Shalman — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 05:08:25 +0000

Feel free to forward this article to your mom, and anyone else that you think would benefit from it.

By: GDxb

GDxb — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 04:47:38 +0000

My mom needs to read this! I do choose not to worry, having read the 7 habits of highly effective people, I choose to act. My mom says my not worrying means I don’t care!

By: Alex Shalman

Alex Shalman — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 22:37:38 +0000

Thanks for taking the time to respond to the article Steven.
Question for you. Do you think it’s possible to prepare for every possible scenario in life?

By: Steven Aitchison

Steven Aitchison — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 22:30:52 +0000

i think this is a great article Alex. I think ‘worrying’ has it’s place in life. It keeps us from danger, a bit like the ‘flight or fight’ syndrome. My wife worries constantly, without getting anxious, about the different things that could happen in her life and she says it helps her prepare for every possible scenario in life so she will know exactly what to do if the time comes to act on her worries.

By: Stephen Hopson--Adversity University

Stephen Hopson--Adversity University — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:15:20 +0000

And it’d be interesting to see what others have to say about this subject. Keep up the good work. You’re one of my faves.

By: Alex Shalman

Alex Shalman — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:11:25 +0000

I like where you’re going with this Stephen

By: Stephen Hopson--Adversity University

Stephen Hopson--Adversity University — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 20:49:26 +0000

Alex:

I am DEFINITELY interested in not worrying! I agree with you 100 percent that worrying is absolutely futile. Some people seem to think that if you worry act like you are, it means you “care.”

Worrying is a waste of precious energy and does nothing to enhance the situation that the person is worried over. For instance, worrying about the future. How does that change anything? Actually, the only thing it changes is that it brings more of what the person is worried about! According to the law of attraction, if you’re worried about money, for example, you’re putting your focus on the lack of money. That means you’ll attract more of the same (lack of money).

So why worry about it? Why not turn things around and take small steps in the right direction? Also one thing I learned that helped me reduce or eliminate worry is by taking action. When you take action, you don’t have time to worry because you’re busy doing something about it!

Great post!!! Keep it up Alex.