Are You Feeling Stuck? Use the Worst-Case Scenario Technique
by David C. Miller
This article is reprinted from the July 2007 issue of The Stepping Stone, newsletter of the SOA's Management and Personal Development Section.
We all get stuck or paralyzed when we’re on the verge of doing something big that takes us beyond our comfort zone. You might have felt this way when you were about to do something like making a call to an important prospect, preparing for a key meeting or making the transition to starting your own business or changing careers. This dynamic often presents itself whenever we’re about to do something where the stakes are high. It’s a “no-brainer” that you need to take action in these areas, but you find yourself cleaning your desk or tending to some other low-risk activity instead.
An effective technique to battle this avoidance behavior is what I call the "Worst-Case Scenario" technique (WCS). This approach will seem counterintuitive, much like being taught to turn into a skid when driving in the snow. But all I can say is that it works ... and very effectively.
Here’s the basic step-by-step recipe:
1. Notice when you’re stuck
The first step is to be aware when you’re stuck. This may seem obvious, but usually in these situations there’s a short period of denial before we admit we’re really avoiding this activity. One classic example is that we always seem too busy to get to this really important action. For a while we successfully justify putting it off. Eventually, if we’re honest with ourselves, we realize that we’re stuck.
2. Identify the associated feelings and thoughts
We can confirm we’re stuck by examining the feelings and thoughts we experience whenever we think about doing the task. Feelings of anxiety, nervousness or fear are telltale signs that you’re stuck. We all desire to avoid these feelings and will even unconsciously take steps to do so.
3. Ask, "What's the worst that can happen?"
Most people want to avoid thinking about the answer to this question. Therein lies the problem! You see, what we avoid has power over us. So the answer is NOT to avoid thinking about the doomsday scenario.
4. Go there and take it deeper
This is the challenging part. Not only do you want to think about the WCS, but you want to vividly imagine it and LIVE there! Play the whole scenario out; feel the sense of failure or dread to the fullest extent you can. If the intensity of the pain feels like a 7 on a scale of 1 to 10, take it to a 12! The key is to not avoid your worst fear; instead, pursue it with vigor.
5. Stay with it until you notice "the shift"
At this point you may be thinking, “Dave, you’re really sadistic!” But I promise you that if you play the worst-case scenario out in full, what will occur is a major shift in your thinking. Suddenly, failure isn't such a bad thing. You can handle it’ you will survive.
It’s critical that you stay with the WCS until you feel this shift. The shift is the emotional place where you’re WCS no longer has power over you. Now you can pursue your high-stake business or career-building action with courage and excitement.
Going through this exercise isn’t always so dramatic. It can be as easy as asking yourself, “What's the worst that can happen? Can I live with that?" The answer is almost always an emphatic, “Yes.” Then you can freely move forward.
I invite you to experiment with this technique and notice how it works for you. Id love to hear any feedback on what you discover.. Just send me an e-mail at Dave@BusinessGrowthNow.com.
David C. Miller, MSCC, PCC, is a professional certified coach who works with actuaries, consultants and executives who desire to attract more clients and have a greater impact on their organizations. He can be reached at dave@BusinessGrowthNow.com or (215) 968-248. Sign up for his complimentary e-course on 12 Ingredients for Explosive Business Growth at www.BusinessGrowthNow.com.