When was the last time you spent any time in the magical land of IF? This is a place that sits on the border between today and tomorrow, reality and imagination. It is both and neither, betwixt and between, unpredictable and yet offers an illusion of control. The land of IF is a great place to visit from time to time. It is where dreams are born and creativity flourishes. It is a place where planning and hoping take root. But IF a terrible place to live!
There is an old Yiddish proverb that says, “We plan, and God laughs.” Planning is not reality. It is life on the edge of reality where the unknowns outweigh the knowns. But, in planning, we strive to account for all these unknowns and create contingency plans by asking “What IF?” Once we believe we have identified all the “What IF’s” we believe that we do not simply have
a plan, but THE plan. In doing so we have just taken up residency in the land of IF and have become entangled up in overthinking.
We can avoid this overthinking by stepping back from the borderlands of IF. In the land of reality we are able to see that unknowns still exist like fog banks on the horizon. We are no longer tied up in contingency plans that may have eased our anxiety. Without overthinking we are out in the open and able to respond to surprises without the anxiety of plans gone awry. Rather than trying to implement some complicated work-around that was dreamed up before the unknowns were reality, we can now dance with the surprise. In doing so we find our way through the fog without adding to it!
We avoid overthinking when we accept that there will be surprises and make them part of the journey!
There is an old Yiddish proverb that says, “We plan, and God laughs.” Planning is not reality. It is life on the edge of reality where the unknowns outweigh the knowns. But, in planning, we strive to account for all these unknowns and create contingency plans by asking “What IF?” Once we believe we have identified all the “What IF’s” we believe that we do not simply have
a plan, but THE plan. In doing so we have just taken up residency in the land of IF and have become entangled up in overthinking.
We can avoid this overthinking by stepping back from the borderlands of IF. In the land of reality we are able to see that unknowns still exist like fog banks on the horizon. We are no longer tied up in contingency plans that may have eased our anxiety. Without overthinking we are out in the open and able to respond to surprises without the anxiety of plans gone awry. Rather than trying to implement some complicated work-around that was dreamed up before the unknowns were reality, we can now dance with the surprise. In doing so we find our way through the fog without adding to it!
We avoid overthinking when we accept that there will be surprises and make them part of the journey!
Tip -- Reframe the Challenges
Reframing generally means that we change the context or setting of the idea or experience. We avoid overthinking when we acknowledge the unknowns and reframe them as opportunities rather than obstacles.
As you acknowledge that your plans will likely be interrupted by the unexpected, be prepared:
Allow yourself to find Joy in the journey by anticipating the gift of surprise whether your journey is a road trip, a vacation, a new project, or a personal goal. Enjoy the ride!
“Life is what happens to you while you are busy making plans.” John Lennon
As you acknowledge that your plans will likely be interrupted by the unexpected, be prepared:
- To experience humor in the surprise.
- To have an adventure in the unexpected.
- To discover new paths and resources.
- To see yourselves with new eyes, capable and resourceful.
Allow yourself to find Joy in the journey by anticipating the gift of surprise whether your journey is a road trip, a vacation, a new project, or a personal goal. Enjoy the ride!
“Life is what happens to you while you are busy making plans.” John Lennon
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