There will be consequences...
What's the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word "consequences"? My guess is it's something negative...that's what consequence can conjure up. When, in fact, a "consequence" is merely a result or outcome of a situation or decision.
There's often good consequences to situations that maybe you can't see or you weren't expecting.
Anticipation. Expectations.
What about those situations where you're going in blind? You have no idea what the outcome will be. Where do you tend to lean?
Do you automatically assume it's going to be "bad"?
There's that mindset again, how you look at things...experiences. It can be quick and sneaky, before you have a chance to think it through...you've jumped to a conclusion.
Don't be hard on yourself, this really is how our brains are wired. It's a natural built-in shortcut. We get a piece of information and before we think it through our brain is looking for a pattern and if the situation seems familiar...boom!
Conclusion made!
This works with consequences too...apparently we underestimate both how good and how bad something will be. Ugh.
Now what?
How do you short circuit this very normal behaviour?
The power of the pause, the breath. When you're ready to draw your conclusion...or assume the consequence...take a beat.
What else could this be? How else could this turnout? Interrupt the pattern.
Easier said than done because it's work...and our brains are lazy...they like the shortcuts.
Are you ready?
Let's get to it...
Your challenge...
Whether it's a consequence or jumping to conclusions the key is to interrupt your normal pattern of behaviour.
This takes awareness first and foremost. Before you decide you know what's coming:
Take a beat.
Breathe.
Ask yourself:
What's the worst possible outcome...remember the overestimating.
What's the best possible outcome...again...remember the overestimating.
Then:
Find the best possible in-between...start there.
Then practice. A lot. You're not going to get it right all of the time...that's not the point. The point is always self-awareness.
Ready to shift your mindset? Contact me
Cheers,
Ann
There will be consequences…