A perfect morning, for such an important day. The air was filled with a mixed aroma of nostalgia and excitement.
My mom would not stop hugging me, she didn’t know when she would see me again. My dad was quieter than usual. And me? Well, I was about to move abroad.
The day had come. It was too late to back down now. I was going to get on the plane that would change my life forever. But first, I needed to get myself in order.
The one question that changed it all.
As we get to the airport and park the car. By now, anxiety has completely taken over me. I was so tense that I could barely move my legs.
As I come around the car to get my bags out with my dad, I couldn’t hold it anymore, I just had to tell him.
“Dad, I don’t know if you noticed, but I am super, mega scared right now. I know you went through this 10 years ago but, I’m just terrified.”
He looked at me for a second and in his fatherly calming voice together with his comforting smile, he asked me,
“What is the worst thing that can happen?”
Wrong question, I thought. I just started listing all the worst-case scenarios that I had been playing over and over in my head.
Halfway through my rambling, he interrupted me and said, “that you come back home with an amazing experience, that’s the worse thing that can happen.”
Just as he said that, the tension from my shoulders went away immediately. Suddenly I was able to smile again. He was so right!
It was a huge AHA-Moment for me. What’s the worse thing that can happen? I had saved enough money, I had a place to stay, and everything was good to go.
There was nothing to be worried about anymore. I understood that I was worrying about things I had no control. I was being my own obstacle.
I had somehow built this huge wall in front of me. I envisioned scenarios that would make movies like “Taken” and “Hostel” seem like kid’s play.
Clogging my head with doubts. Crushing my self-confidence with unnecessary “what ifs.” Does it sound familiar?
What is the worst thing that will happen?
Next time you come to a crossroads in your life. When you are about to embark on an experience that will change you forever, just as you begin to feel overwhelmed by your emotions, ask yourself, realistically, what is the worst thing that will happen?
Notice that I rephrased the question. By asking “what will happen” instead of “what can happen,” you gain mental control over the situation. And this will give you the extra confidence to move forward.
If you follow your passion and strive for the best, the worst thing that can happen is that you have an amazing experience. Seriously, What is the worst thing that can happen from following your heart?
Your life will be more exciting, productive, and thrilling. Your self-confidence, self-awareness and emotional intelligence will expand beyond your reach. You will get to know new, interesting people and experience things you never thought you would.
Don’t become your own obstacle. Sometimes it takes somebody standing outside of your tornado, for you to realize that it’s nothing more than a self-created illusion.
Make sure to ask others and share how you feel. Going after your dreams is not supposed to be easy; otherwise, everybody would do it.
As you move forward.
Catch yourself when your self-confidence betrays you. If you truly want it, you will find a way to get it. And when the time comes and you start doubting, ask yourself “What is the worst thing that will happen?”
But answer it instead with everything you stand to gain from it. This will keep you focus and motivated on your goal.
I can assure you that as things move ahead, the rewards will always outweigh all the negative things combined. Plus, the chances are that less than 0.05% of those concerns will actually happen. Trust me, I’ve been in Vienna for 4 and 1/2 years now…
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For the time being, this is what I want you to do.
Are you currently finding yourself at a crossroad? Just wondering if you should take the final step or stay where you are? I would love to hear about it. Make sure to scroll down and share it in the comments.
Cheers!