As the Dalai Lama once said, “If a problem is fixable, if a situation is such that you can do something about it, then there is no need to worry. If it’s not fixable, then there is no help in worrying. There is no benefit in worrying whatsoever.”
In other words, worry will not strip tomorrow of its burdens, it will strip today of its possibilities.
How would your life be different if you stopped worrying and started truly doing what you are capable of doing? Let today be the day you free yourself from worthless worry, seize the possibilities and take effective action on things you can change.
Make a stand. Be proactive. Stop simply worrying about…
1. The challenges you face.
Challenges are not here to worry about; they are here to help you grow.
Challenges are what make life interesting, and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful. Many of history’s greatest accomplishments were responses to difficult challenges. Many of your own greatest advances have been in response to challenging circumstances.
Each of life’s challenges is a test that helps you notice and understand your weaknesses, thus enabling you to transform these weaknesses into strengths.
2. Less than ideal conditions you can’t control.
There is no good reason to deny yourself the opportunity to do something extraordinary. Life is about making a difference, and you will never run out of ways to do that.
Whatever has happened, whatever others say, whatever the state of the economy or weather may be, you still have the ability to thrive. Life is what you choose to make it. You have unlimited power over your mind, not external objects and events. Realize this, and you will find the source of strength you need to move mountains. Read How to Stop Worrying and Start Living
3. The reasons it might not work.
Your doubts are little enemies living in your mind that make you lose battles you are capable of winning. They stir fear into your conscious and keep you wishing instead of DOING. In other words, they disrupt necessary action.
An idea or a wish is a good place to start, but then you have to get off your butt, face your doubts and make things happen. You have to pick up the pen and paper and write your own story.
Don’t let your doubts get the best of you. While intent is the seed of success, action is the water that nourishes the seed. Your actions must reflect your goals in order to achieve something worthwhile in this world.
4. Everyone else’s dreams.
Start worrying about your own dreams. They are unique and undeniably yours for a reason. They are showing you, and at the same time compelling you, to make the most of your life. It is not selfish to be your very best. What’s selfish is to let your enormous potential go unrealized.
What have you always wanted to know, always wanted to do, and always wanted to be? It is never too late to honestly answer that question, and the answer to that question is your own truly beautiful and unique gift to the world. Because when you fulfill your greatest possibilities, you raise the whole world up with you. Read A New Earth
5. Love that isn’t true.
The true kind of love involves attention, awareness, discipline, effort, and being able to truly care about someone and sacrifice for them, continuously, in countless petty little unsexy ways, every day. You put your arms around them and love them regardless, even when they’re not so lovable. And of course they do the same for you.
This kind of love has little to do with falling. It’s a long climb up the rocky face of a mountain, hard work that most people are too selfish or too scared to bother with.
If you want to know what a truly healthy relationship is, it’s one where both people wake up every morning and say, “This is worth it. You are worth it. I choose to be with you.” Read The 5 Love Languages
6. Other people’s temper tantrums.
Losing your temper with people who have already lost theirs does not accomplish anything, but only sets you out upon a path of foolishness and frustration.
When you maintain enough self-control to stand firm at the moment when another person is in a temper tantrum, you will win in the end. Because it’s not the one who has spoken a hundred words aloud who has won; it is the one who has perhaps spoken only one word: “goodbye.”
7. More and more work that ONLY makes money.
Forget about the easy street or fast lane mentalities. If you really want to do something wonderful with your life, harness the power of the ideas and efforts that move you. Honor your instincts. Trust your heart and true wealth will come to you.
As Anthony Robbin’s once said, “Passion is the genesis of genius.” Enthusiasm is the mother of all productive work; without it rarely does something great ever transpire. When you connect with your work you always strive to become the best you can be. And as you gradually become better and better, everything around you becomes better too.
Bottom line: The more passion you have for your work, the more value you will create through it. And value is ultimately what people are willing to pay a premium for.
Photo by: Jonny Wikins
Donnie says
Good stuff. I’d also add: Stop worrying about tomorrow all the time.
Concentrate on today for a change. Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.
Sam says
As usual the articles on this website are extremely helpful, but this one has appeared on my Facebook timeline at a more than appropriate time. You always seem to ‘HACK’ the right words of advice just when I need them.
I might as well take this opportunity to thank you Marc & Angel. Please keep up the good work that you do through this website and Facebook. I don’t know if you get some sort of reward but you seem to enjoy what you do and that’s what makes it so meaningful. Thank you so much again. Stop by my FB page linked above sometime. Love to you both. <3
Asha Ray says
Thanks a ton for your posts… they are so apt and insightful. Especially point no 7 of this post. It’s something I really need to work on. I need to start working on a plan to get into my career field of choice. I know in my heart something isn’t right and I keep pushing it off.
Kev says
Great truths here! Reminds me of one of my favorite quotes: Worries are a lot like people – they grow bigger if you nurse them.
Also, thanks for the 1,000 Little Things eBook. I’ve been reading it slowly while I’ve been on the road this past week. It’s helped inspire me for 15 minutes every morning and start my day with a postive mind.
Kwesi Anim says
Love this post, really timely for the new year. Much love Marc
Ken [email protected] says
I love the image of doubts as little enemies in our minds, stirring fear causing us to lose battles we would otherwise win.
Helps to see doubt in its true insidious colors.
Yet another extremely well-written piece of inspiration and encouragement, Marc!
Trevor says
Doubt has only the power that we grant it. If we nurture our doubt with endless worry, our doubt grows massive and casts its shadow over our entire world.
But if we listen to our hopes instead, our doubts can only shrink with time. Eventually we’ll see them for what they truly are . . . just phantoms. They never had any power to begin with.
Cheers!
Hope and Sugar says
Lovely post. Truly nothing good can come out of worrying. Intent and action can make all the difference. I love the Dalai Lama quote. I had read it a long time back and it has been very instrumental in making me tackle my worry habit.
Z says
Worry not! Sound advice my mentors. Thank you as always.
Suchismita says
A very nice post. ‘not worrying’is one of the most difficult things to do. Ancient sages have said so much about how controlling the mind is most difficult. Kabir, a poet saint of India has said “Maya Mari Na Man Mara, Mar Mar Gaye Shareer
Asha Trishna Na Mari, Keh Gaye Das Kabir” which roughly translates to – Neither illusion nor the mind, only bodies attained death. Hope and delusion did not die, so Kabir said.
We are trained to think of the future, of how things can go wrong . We are trained to succeed but often not trained to be happy. So we end up worrying. We need to let go . Easier said than done, but such posts help you along. Nice!
Amandah says
Stopping the worry wart in you can be easier said than done, especially if you’re faced with challenges such as debt, divorce, etc. However, you can throw your hands up and say, “I can only control what I can control such as my thoughts, emotions, beliefs, and values.” Saying this affirmation could lessen your worries each and every day. This will give you time to process accept your situation. Acceptance + Letting Go = Peace of mind
Sandy Peckinpah says
Beautifully applicable in today’s worry filled life. We’re exposed to so much information and awareness of problems because of the information highways, I often unconsciously take on worry that isn’t even mine. It says in the Bible, “Who of you by worrying can adda single hour to his life.” Matt 6:27. Thanks Marc and Angel for giving us an even deeper understanding of that verse. You always give me the clarification I am needing at just the right time!
Lizzie says
Great post – just what I needed to hear today! Whenever I’m worrying about something, I always think to myself ‘will this matter tomorrow, or next week, or next year?’ That always seems to put things into perspective.
David Rapp says
Excellent post. I am still working through what to share regarding dreams.
Jennifer says
Wonderful reminder to look for the lessons imbedded in my challenges!
Number 6 is wonderful!!
Thank you for your inspiring words.
Lesli Doares says
Thank you so much for this. Worry is a waste of energy because it’s usually about something that’s already happened and can’t be undone or about something that hasn’t yet happened and might not.
If more people embraced #5 and #6, there would be a lot less unhappiness and broken relationships.
Marc says
@Donnie, Asha, and Kev: Wise additions to the conversation. Love them. Thank you. And thanks for supporting our work Kev. Every ebook we sell helps support the growth of this site.
@Sam: Thanks so much for your kindness. It’s honestly feedback like yours that continues to inspire us on a daily basis. We’ll certainly stop by your FB page.
@Kwesi Anim and Jen Lynn: You’re welcome.
@Ken Wert: As always thank you for the support.
@Trevor: Yep. You nailed it. It’s just a change in mindset.
@Hope and Sugar: Yeah, that particular quote is one of our favorites. We’ve used it for inspiration on many occasions.
@Suchismita: Thanks for the added insight and the translation of great wisdom. Being present in the moment is a practice that can set the human mind free of most worry and frustration.
@Amandah: Yes! Let go of the need to control everything. It’s unnecessary and impossible anyway.
@Sandy Peckinpah: Excellent share of wisdom. Thank you, and you’re welcome.
@Lizzie: I often ask myself the same question. In fact I try to ask myself this every time I catch myself dealing with frustration.
@David Rapp: Keep going. 😉 Good luck to you…
@Jennifer: Glad you enjoyed the article and connected with #6.
@Lesli: Well stated, and I completely agree.
Layla says
#5 and #6 are exactly why I’ve walked away from my family (mother, father, siblings). Thank you for putting into words what I never could, yet instinctively knew I needed to do.
Lora says
Thank you for this. Some great things to remember, especially the idea about challenges.
Kunle says
Thanks Marc and Angel.
All your posts are wonderful.
Kaye says
Time to stop worrying and start LIVING and DOING. Perfect reminder for me today.
Brian says
Thanks Marc, great post. Worry is a tough one for some of us but when we let it go we get out of the way so that good things can come into our lives.
syed says
Awesome post. Helped me reduce my stress today, thanks.
Sussane Gakere says
I couldn’t have happened on this at a better time.
Your blog, Marc and Angel, truly speaks to me.
Thank you and much love from me and Sunshine.
….Sunshine is my 5yr old daughter 🙂 so so proud of her 🙂 <3
[email protected] says
Thank you so much for your insight…I am a classic in so many categories – #5 is my nemesis right now as my heart rules (I allow it to rule)
Another day walking forward thanks to your wisdom and blessings…thank you both for that.
Blessings for continued success
Larry