A cool concept in biology is how many things seem like causal chains but are actually feedback loops.
They seem to only work one way, but they don’t.
Like how being happy makes you smile… but choosing to smile can make you happy.
Or how confidence can make you stand like Superman, your chest thrusting and your eyes on the horizon. Standing like that can make you feel confident too.
It works both ways.
Dig deeper than physiology.
Anxiety is a generalised fear of the future. Its purpose is to keep you safe. If you think a threat could come at any time but you’re not sure when, then the smart move is to withdraw, protect, be vigilant and play it safe.
In other words, do nothing – but in such a way that leaves you frazzled.
What if this is a feedback loop too?
What if choosing to do nothing in a way that drains you makes you anxious?
I don’t know if this is how it works, but it would explain a lot.
Medieval peasants didn’t have much going for them, but they weren’t generally anxious. They knew what needed doing and they did it. But you? You can’t date anyone because there are too many dating apps to choose from, let alone too many cuties on each one. There are millions of hobbies, millions of books to read, thousands of courses to take, millions of potential careers…
Every moment has dozens of things competing for it.
You can’t commit to everything you want to do, not because you’re lazy, but because it’s so easy to get distracted by a newer, shinier idea.
Instead, you think about what you could or should be doing with your time.
You do nothing, but all that thinking leaves you confused and exhausted.
No wonder your body thinks you’re so anxious. You keep acting as though you are. You keep thinking and obsessing and assessing but never actually doing anything.
We have the illusion of choice.
But, really, there aren’t that many folks willing to date us.
Or that many jobs you could do.
Or millions of hobbies waiting for you.
Not when you narrow down your options and enforce your standards. Then you can see the world for what it is – more focused and less overwhelming.
That’s easy when you know what your purpose in life is.
Making money. Helping people. Those are worthy goals, but they’re not your purpose. How will you make money and help people? What specific and manageable, if daunting, flaw in reality will you destroy in your lifetime?
Easy question to ask.
Not so easy to answer.
That’s why I include it as part of my coaching program. If you get the sense that you should be doing more but you’re not sure what, this is perfect for you.
And it’s the perfect antidote to anxiety. Once you ignore options that seem okay but aren’t for you, you spend a lot less time overcooking your brain and a lot more time taking action.
Does that sound like something you want to do?
Act with conviction, instead of wallow in anxiety?
Hey, it’s up to you. I’m Antipater, but I’m not your dad.
If you’d like to live with greater clarity, conviction and focus, then sign up for a free consultation session here: