Transformation Tool #8
What’s the Worst Thing that Could Happen? (Dale
Carnegie Technique)
Fear often gets out of control because you worry about terrible consequences that may result, when those consequences may not be as bad as you think initially. For example, you may find yourself in the grip of an anxiety attack when you think about doing something new, such as speaking in front of a group of people.
Writer and lecturer Dale Carnegie taught a powerful method to deal with these types of fears: Ask yourself, "What is the worst thing that could happen?" Using the public speaking example, you might answer, “I could make a fool of myself; the audience would laugh at me; I‟d be so embarrassed and ashamed.” Although these consequences wouldn‘t be fun to experience, you could certainly handle them if they did occur, right? Accept the worst possible consequences you think could happen, and then decide to move forward anyway.
This technique can be incredibly empowering because you reduce the size and magnitude of your fear by realizing that you can handle the things you would otherwise shy away from.
Night Prayer by CT Michael
Click here to view more of his inspirational Native American art in the Evolution art gallery