How do you keep calm (and listen to Aerosmith)?

When under pressure, getting worried and nervous about how things might turn out, I have an unexpected coping method for that. Most people would avoid thinking about all the ways it could go wrong, I do the exact opposite. I try and SCARE MYSELF more. I think of the worst-case scenario, the most dreadful of situations and then evaluate how likely it is for that thing occurs. If there is a good chance it MIGHT happen, I create a plan for it so I know what I’ll do if this, that, or signal 3 happens.

This works for everything.

Then, also find exactly what it is that you’re afraid of ABOUT the worst-case scenario. More than likely the only thing you fear is EMBARRASSMENT. People are not afraid of failure, rejection, death, even, no. They’re afraid of the embarrassment of failure, the embarrassment of rejection, poverty… you name it… But the uncertainty of what happens to you after death. And a lot of people fear embarrassment more than they fear death itself. After death, you’re kinda good. Nobody’s going to judge you for dying, and you won’t be losing face over dying… Unless you also make it to the Darwin Awards page due to an unusually embarrassing/stupid way of dying. Best keep away from that double whammy, people.

When you’re afraid or stressed out due to fear, just try and imagine the worst of the worst… You’ll find it’s likely not that bad at all, in the end.

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