As a reminder, this series is about how we self-inflict pain into our lives by the way we think in our minds. If you missed the previous article, feel free to check out previous ones!

A “mind hack” as any tool or idea that helps us understand the mind so we can have a mentally healthy life!

Another important mind hack I’d like to introduce as a tool is the idea that as humans sometimes go into what I like to call “what-if world.”

Let me explain.

In keeping with the previous articles about how our thoughts are like ships floating on the horizon of our consciousness, there are some kinds of ships (thoughts) that can really cause some waves on that horizon (consciousness)!

Among these ships are thoughts or questions that often start with the two words “What if -?”

What if 2025 doesn’t go well for me?

What if my life doesn’t change?

What if he or she doesn’t change?

What if my relationship doesn’t work out?

What if I do poorly in school?

What if I don’t make any friends?

What if I can’t find a job?

What if I don’t get healthy?

Notice the theme here? To take it a step further, think about the feelings generated when you focus on and think about these thoughts. These feelings represent the waves in our metaphor.

These feelings include things like worry, anxiety, fear, or nervousness.

At this point, I’ve come to recognize that while I can’t completely stop my mind from going to “what if world,” I can learn to become more self-aware and identify when my mind is going there.

Calling this type of worry-prone type of thinking “what if” world helps me to playfully acknowledge the nature of my thinking and also remind me that if this is a place I can go to, I can also choose to leave there if I want. Remember, the first step to change is awareness!

Can you identify with this? Do you tend to go into “What if world”?

Now, to be fair, I don’t think every thought or question we have after the words “what if” is always a thought or question that brings worry and anxiety.

In fact, when “what if” precedes a thought or question from a place of curiosity (vs. fear), it can be very powerful and a great coaching tool when I’m working with clients. (If you’re astute, you’ll notice I use “What if” in this second way a lot when I write these emails!).

As I conclude this article, here’s an example of how I repurpose those two words in a more positive way in the question I want to leave with YOU today:

WHAT IF you could learn to identify when you have “what if” thoughts that are fear-based and cause you to go into the fear-based “what if world”?

And HOW could being aware of this help you practically moving forward?

Let me know! I’d love to hear how and if this article serves you.

Let’s THRIVE in mind so we can THRIVE in life!