Are You Problem-Solving, or Just Worrying?

Just thinking about our problem can make us feel anxious.

It causes us to worry about the issue instead of focusing on the problem objectively. Worry also feels productive. But mulling over possible outcomes (mostly the bad ones) won't get us anywhere.

While anxiety is normal when you first identify a threat, it's not helpful when you're trying to solve a problem.

• Worrying makes us feel bad, that can cloud our judgment.
• When we worry, it takes a lot of mental effort to stop focusing on the threat and shift to goal-directed thinking.

• When you're thinking about an issue, do you feel tense, distressed, and upset?
• Are you spending your time focusing on how bad the outcomes could be?
• Do you immediately dismiss all your solutions as ineffective?

If you answered yes to these questions, you might be worrying.

There is no such thing as "good worry". Instead of worrying, try to do the following:

• When you want to focus on the problem, do so in an open-minded, calm, and non-judgmental way.
• Define the problem.
• Identify your ultimate goals.
• Remember to think positive.
• If you find yourself steering toward negative thinking, try to let those thoughts go, and refocus your mind on the problem.