Open and Willing

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Think of something you dread…

Some common dreaded things for humans might be: taking a test, going to the dentist, getting on a flight, being new to a group, having a tough conversation, holiday gatherings, mundane household tasks, attending a required work event, going to the DMV, and the list goes on.

We dread these things because we prepare for it to be painful. 

But what if it isn’t? Do we think it will be less miserable if we prepare for it to be miserable? I’ve found a lot of times my dread is worse than the actual experience. So how do we decrease the dread?

A helpful tool to shift into a more optimistic stance about something you dread is to say:

I’m open and willing to experience it differently this time. 

Maybe in the past, it has been miserable, but what if this time you opened to experiencing it differently?

That subtle shift can be a game changer inside our minds. By stating this phrase, we can instantly feel lighter, more hopeful, and see possibilities for good outcomes. 

That energetic shift creates not only a mindset shift, but it also helps you align with creating and attracting a better experience for yourself. 

So next time you notice thoughts like these:

  • It’s going to be hard

  • It never goes my way

  • She always has to be right

  • He never listens

  • They won’t say yes, they never do

  • It’s going to be stressful

  • This is always a hassle

  • This will be miserable

  • Something always goes wrong

Then pause and say out loud or to yourself…

I’m open and willing to experience it differently this time. 

This reminds us we have agency and choice about our attitude when we approach something. 

We aren’t as doomed as we think we are. 

Invite in a new experience. When you do this, the chances for it being a more pleasant experience exponentially increase.

Hope is powerful, 

 
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