But What If It Goes Right?

A reminder to leave a little more room for possibility.

I’ve noticed that a lot of us spend more time preparing for things to go wrong than we realize. The tricky part is that this feels responsible, like we’re simply being proactive and problem-solving ahead of time. We run through possible roadblocks, anticipate what could fall apart, and try to troubleshoot potential issues that may or may not happen in the future. Now, don’t get me wrong, a little foresight is helpful, of course. But at some point, we have to remember that every bit of energy we spend rehearsing the worst-case scenario is energy we aren’t putting toward creating the outcome we actually want. And because our mental energy isn’t unlimited, it’s worth being a little more intentional about where we spend it.

In our day-to-day lives, this can show up in all kinds of ways. For example, while we’re busy focusing on the people who might judge or reject us, we forget about the ones who are excited to say yes. We spend so much time anticipating everything that could go wrong at work that we forget to visit the reality where we succeed. Or we overanalyze a shift in our relationship, preparing ourselves for what it could mean instead of leaving room for the possibility that things are simply okay.

We all have areas of our lives where our minds seem to default to the worst-case scenario, and when we stay in that space for too long, we can end up mentally preparing so thoroughly for disappointment that we forget to hold space for the possibility of getting what we want. And that matters, because our expectations shape how we show up. You might look at this through a psychological lens, thinking about self-fulfilling prophecies or the way our brains become more attuned to what we’re already looking for. Or you might think about it through a more spiritual lens, in terms of the energy we bring into a situation. Whichever angle resonates with you, the point is the same: optimism has its perks. There’s something powerful about asking, what if this actually works?

The good news is that this shift doesn’t have to be dramatic. You don’t have to become relentlessly positive or pretend that nothing could ever go wrong. You just have to start giving your desired possibilities some airtime, too. So, the next time you catch yourself mentally preparing for everything that could fall apart, pause for a second. Trust that if a problem comes, you can deal with it then. And for now, ask yourself a different question: What’s the best that could happen here? Notice how your energy changes when you let yourself imagine that outcome. Notice how you might show up differently if, instead of constantly bracing for the worst, you started putting more of your energy toward helping the best-case scenario unfold.

A Little Nudge From Your Coach:

What’s something you tend to mentally prepare to go wrong? Take a minute and imagine what it would look like if it actually went right. How would you think, feel, or act differently? Then ask yourself: What’s the best that could happen here, and what’s one step I can take today to move toward it?