How 2 Small Words Will Snap You Out of a Funk

Two small words that have the power to create reality.

It can be a reality that feels good, full of possibility. Or the opposite, a full on funk that has you on the couch with the remote in one hand and a bag of chips in the other.

But wait!

What if you could…

• write that book
• skydive
• learn a new language
• start a business
• have the body, career, mate, life you’ve been dreaming of?

I’m guessing those goals, or similar ones, can easily trigger your lizard brain and I can already hear the “yeah buts” that want to keep you in the funk!

What if you…

• aren’t creative enough
• are too afraid
• aren’t good with languages
• don’t have the funding…or the courage
• aren’t willing to do what it takes?

Familiar? I know, and not in a good way.

‘What ifs’ are typically a waste of time spent thinking about what you “coulda, shoulda, woulda” done.

When you look back at those two lists above, which is more true in your life right now?

(If you’re honest, you’ll move on quickly realizing that, “Duh!” none of those thoughts are true.)

We all have doubts, limiting beliefs and stories about what we can and can’t do. I’m repeating myself here I know, but how many times have I told you that your lizard brain isn’t ever going away? Are you getting how much energy is wasted on that? How many precious hours?

Think of how often you come up with negative ‘what ifs’. You’ll probably notice it’s a constant flow throughout the day; a seemingly endless train of thoughts that leave you feeling like crap. The good news is you can also train yourself to think of more positive ‘what ifs’ instead.

Research shows that your mind can’t tell the difference between a vividly imagined experience and a real one. If that’s true, then these two small words – ‘what if’ – really can create your reality. With practice, consistently, over time.

Is feeling good worth the effort?

You decide in every moment if you’re ‘what if-ing’ in a positive direction or a negative one. You decide. It doesn’t happen automatically; you decide every time you think a thought and open your mouth to speak.

“A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes.” – Gandhi

When you speak positive ‘what ifs’ you replace the negative spiral with thoughts that make you feel better. The positive ‘what ifs’ create a space where anything is possible, no matter how wild, fantastical,  or untrue (as yet). They can lighten your state, leaving you more resourceful and capable of taking action.

Doesn’t that feel so much better?

And that? Is the point of this post.

It’s not like those positive ‘what ifs’ are any more true. Their job is simply to make you feel better and move you out of your funk.

So play along for a moment,

What if…

Every day for a month you made a point of noticing whenever you were in a funk. Then, you turned it around and ‘what if’d’ yourself to a more positive state.

Think about it. Every day. Intentionally flipping each negative ‘what if’, focusing on thoughts that feel good, letting go of old beliefs, slowly but surely, day by day. At the end of the month, what do you think might happen?

Here’s how it went for me and a new commitment in my life:

Me: I’m so excited about working with Karen, committing to myself in a new way.

Lizard Brain (LB): What if you work with her and nothing changes? What if you make a fool of yourself?

Me: What if it helps? What if I could feel better about my body? What if I could let go of some really old beliefs?

LB: C’mon, who are you kidding? What if you lose credibility?

Me: What if changes occur that I haven’t even thought of? What if I’m surprised by what happens?

Now, notice…my last statement wasn’t a definitive “X will happen” kind of statement, but it sure made me feel lighter about the whole thing. What if I”m surprised? That’s a pretty cool outcome that I hadn’t even thought of till just now!

The ‘what ifs’ don’t make your problem or issue go away. The intent is simply to make you feel better in the moment. Day by day, a little bit better, until the energy around that issue shifts; kind of a sneak attack on your poor lil’ lizard brain.

As William Shakespeare once said, “Nothing is good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” And I’d add that a belief is simply a thought you keep thinking over and over. So choose them wisely, OK?

Your assignment (all about feeling good, I promise):

• Think of an issue that’s been bothering you (a worry or concern, perhaps a frequent complaint)
• Notice how it feels in your body
• Try on a positive ‘what if’, ie: What if I really could feel good about my body?
• Notice how it feels in your body (You’ll notice right away if the ‘what if’ feels better than the original thought)
• Try a slightly more positive thought; and then another; and then another

Some thoughts may feel really good, and some just a bit better. Play with the words until you get the hang of it. Keep looking for statements that feel good. Allow yourself to experiment; get funny, be ridiculous, exaggerate and boldly go where you’ve never gone before!

Bonus points if you come up with ‘what ifs’ that make you laugh out loud!

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go…” – Dr. Seuss

As I shared above, my challenge is feeling good about my body. I’ll be doing this assignment right along with you and would love for you to share your thoughts in the comments. One thing I know for sure is it’s always more fun to take on a challenge with others!

What if…you were powerful beyond measure and there was really nothing, but your own mind, that could stop you?