I have to admit that recently I’ve been letting worry get the best of me.

I know I shouldn’t, but the truth is I have.

There’s another side to making your ideas blossom that may overshadow all of the positive benefits that you receive. And that’s why I made it a point to share the 1st secret in 4 Secrets to Make Your Ideas Blossom.

For GoneGirlGo, I’ve been worrying about:

• Being consistent
• Maintaining momentum
• Getting it all done
• Connecting with all of you

(Seriously. This bout of worrying almost had me to the point of paralysis. I realized that I had to shake it off immediately or subject myself to travel down the path that I utterly dread.)

I’m supposed to be strong and have clarity. I’m expected to have it together. I’ve professed to have hope. And now that I’m on the mission to help you make your ideas blossom, I’m supposed to push self-imposed barriers, like worry, out of the way.

Actually, I am.  Right now as I write this post, as a matter of fact. And I’m proud that I can confront these types of issues within myself. The inner-work to deal with worry is a constant battle, and I’ve worked hard at pushing this self-imposed barrier out of the way. What’s hard to grapple with, however, is that this anxious state shows up now, after finding and claiming my purpose.

I’ve decided that worry won’t get the best of me. I just won’t let it.

Life happens.

And setbacks.

So does disappointment.

And confusion.

Just because these things happen, doesn’t mean that I have to fall victim to their impact. I refuse to let it cripple me or rule my mind and my actions.

It’s easy for me to play the track in my head, “Don’t Worry Be Happy,” but I don’t think that this favorite song contains enough power behind it to be of value to me.

Sorry Bobby McFerrin. I believe you got it all wrong. Instead of telling us not to worry, be happy, maybe you should’ve told us 

Don’t Worry Be Strategic.

I realize that it’s not as catchy as the memorable hook, but it contains a certain power that I need right now. Worry is real, and the key to overcoming it is to have the plan to help you cope. I can’t offer you a cookie-cutter approach to dealing with it, but here are 3 strategies that work for me.

Release those worrisome thoughts from occupying space in your head.

If you keep mulling them over and over, they’ll hold you hostage, and you won’t be able to see your way of escape from the issue that is causing your worry.

Use worry as motivation to take action, learn, and grow.

Instead of focusing on the issue that’s causing the concern, focus on what you should do to deal with the problem, which can be a foundation for you to learn and grown.

Find time to pray and meditate on those things that are causing you to worry.

That’s all I need to say here.

I know you sometimes worry too. It’s a self-imposed barrier that I think we all wrestle with. When you start worrying, what’s your strategy to stop? Please share your response below. Email me at zoe@gonegirlgo.com. Or share your approach on the GoneGirlGo Facebook page. 

Remember girl.

Don’t worry. Be strategic.