If you tend to worry a lot about the future, you can find some relief by shifting that worry into productive, day-to-day activities. If breaking down long-term goals into smaller, more digestible tasks works for your productivity, the same process can work for the long-term worries in your life.
Photo by Erik F. Brandborg.
On his blog, James Clear suggests you shift your long-term worries into worries that form a daily routine. For example:
- Instead of worrying about living longer, worry about taking a walk each day.
- Instead of worrying about whether your child will get a college scholarship, worry about how much time they spend studying today.
- Instead of worrying about losing enough weight for the wedding, worry about cooking a healthy dinner tonight.
These small worries are more manageable and make addressing your long-term concerns much easier. Try as you might, some worries can’t be washed away with a mental exercise or friendly chat. When your worry seems indestructible, shift it to something small and productive that will help you solve the problem in the long run.
The Evolution of Anxiety: Why We Worry and What to Do About It [James Clear]
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