Breathe Deep and Focus on the 8%

We all do it at one time or another, we worry. We wonder about how things will turn out, if we can actually do THAT job. Will we have enough time, will the plan go as planned? Will everyone stay healthy? Have I done enough? Was that the right choice to make? Whew! I know there are more thoughts rolling inside that head of yours! There always seems to be something to think about, and the more we think the more we tend to over think, which then leads to worry. Then I read this quote and it made me think, in a good way…

Only 8% of of our worry will come to pass. 92% of our worry is wasted. Don’t Panic!

-Mark Gorman

How much time and energy have I wasted worrying about things that never came to pass? Holy Cow! I bet I’ve spent years…ugh – YEARS! All that time and energy wasted. Which when I thought about it, is kind of a good thing right? The ideas in my head that exploded beyond rational chance of happening are staggering…and NEVER came to pass. Which made we wonder about all that is cluttering my head up RIGHT NOW. What chance does all of that have to actually happen…hhhmmm…8%.

Heavy, relieving sigh!

After I took that deep breath, I smiled and let go of that other 92%. I realized that my worrying about things I cannot control, and that will not ever happen, just keeps me distracted from doing the things I can focus on that will happen.

Relieving sigh again…this one much more cleansing!

Since this revelation, which is really more of a reminder about reality, I felt better. I slept better. I even smiled more. I didn’t realize how much I was worrying about until I saw the statistics. By giving up 92% of what I was over thinking and worrying about a weight was lifted. My energy was stronger and I had space to focus on what I COULD DO, WOULD DO…and then spent time making a plan to do just that.

Let me encourage you to do the same. Think about what you are thinking about AND what percentage will come to pass…then let the 92% that is wasted go. Not sure what to focus on and what to put in the trash? You know…you KNOW…when you are worrying about things beyond reality. Beyond your ability to change, beyond your control or even beyond your energy to impact. And YOU KNOW when you have worked yourself into a tizzy, so take a deep breath and let that stuff go!

Focus on what you can influence…and don’t panic! Not many people do good work when panicked…so don’t panic. Breathe deep and focus on the 8%.