Such reasons always exist, since at the worst nothing that happens to oneself has any cosmic importance. Having looked this possible misfortune in the face, give yourself sound reasons for thinking that after all it would be no such very terrible disaster. When some misfortune threatens, consider seriously and deliberately what is the very worst that could possibly happen. Discussing how to avoid worry through the cultivation of right attitudes, Russell wrote,Ī process … can be adopted with regard to anxieties. In The Conquest of Happiness, this extraordinary mathematician and brilliant philosopher asserts that happiness is in no way a passive endeavor, but a condition that takes a lot of work. You’ll realize that, at the worst, nothing that could happen to you is ultimately that significant.īertrand Russell, one of the west’s great intellectuals, was an advocate of this ploy. Often, this deliberation-and your sense of humor-usually restores your perspective on the anxiety you’re facing. You will realize that even the worst possible scenario isn’t so terrible after all. When you exaggerate your fears and imagine the worst thing that could happen, you make your impending fears look unreasonable. Then, conceive of the worst outcome, even if there’s little chance events will turn out that way-imagine everything that could go wrong, in the worst possible way. When you face anxiety, nervousness, fear, or worry, try the following technique: imagine all possible negative consequences of the situation you are confronting. The Remedial Benefits of Deliberating, “What’s the Worst That Could Happen?” Today, I shall discuss a technique you can use to let go of anxiety. Much of your worrying is ultimately fruitless and anger is often pointless. I’ve previously written about how a great many of life’s anticipated misfortunes, adversities, trials and tribulations will never come to pass.

Quotes what the worst that could happen