I panicked as a kid
People that know me now would have a hard time believing that as a kid I panicked a lot and was quite paranoia, if things didn’t happen on time or deadlines would be closing fast I would freak the fuck out. And not just about the big things.
Half of my family is Spanish/Portuguese so we used to have a lot of family get-togethers at a beach in Portugal. I would always put my towel 5 to 10m higher than the rest of the family
”Just in case in became high tide”
Of course I was young and naïve and supposed to still panic about the little things, but I panicked more than regular kids.
Hakuna Matata
The first change came after seeing the Lion king. Even though I was quite young ”Hakuna Matata” spoke to me. That little meerkat and warthog had a point… They were living the life! This impacted my life in a small way, I was still young and scared but determined to live the Hakuna Matata Life
Ask yourself
The big change came when I saw a movie / Image / Quote (I can’t really remember) containing the lines
” Why stress/panic? Ask yourself ‘Is there anything I can do about it?’ If yes why stress? Do something about it. If no why stress? You can’t do anything about it anyway”
only to much later be enforced a bit more by a quote from the movie bridge of spies:
James Donovan: You’re not worried?
Rudolf Abel: Would it help?
This made so much sense to me that it took a lot of my stress and panic away. It allowed me to relax and be one step closer to my desired Hakuna Matata Life.
I became quite the relaxed guy, people started to notice and commenting on me really not worrying about a thing (cause every little thing…. Is gonna be alright).
Breathe
Even though I was indeed not worried a lot, in stressful situations I still panicked. Panic never helps, it clouds your judgment, blocks your thinking, you can’t be rational… you panic and don’t know what to do… Everything around you goes so fast, you miss things, you think WHAT IF I FUCK UP, you over think things. You don’t think about things enough, there is no saving the situation, O M G YOU ARE IN A SITUATION!, WHAT TO DO WHAT TO DO!!!, did you leave the stove on? Will it hurt? Can it be fixed? Will anyone notice?
STOP!
Breathe...
Focus...
Think...
This is the most useful advice I’ve ever been given. In a stressful situation (or whenever you feel stress/panic is starting to act up) take a moment to just breath.
"BUT I DON’T HAVE TIME TO TAKE A MOMENT! OMG! TIME IS ALMOST UP!!!! I HAVE NO MOMENTS LEFT"
Like I Said, Stop! Breathe, FOCUS, think.
While in panic mode you can’t focus or think, so you’ll most certainly fail. But if you take a moment to breathe you’ll relax. You’ll see things clearly and will be able to focus increasing your chances of success.
Conclusion
- Hakuna Matata
- Ask yourself
- Breathe
These three things combined changed my life, I hardly ever worry, panic or stress which has improved my quality of and view on life.
Problems that arise I can deal with calmly and with more focus, drastically improving my success rate. You start seeing life trough different eyes and approach things in alternative manners.
Some one being a dick to you? Angry at you because you don't drive as he wants? Honking giving you the finger?
Don't bother, while you are at home drinking a beer thinking about your next holiday destination. He'll still be at home cursing at you.
You'll notice after a while you become kinder and more helpful as you don't get frustrated that fast and realize being kind and helpful is the easier and less stressful way to go.
Disclaimer: Having no worries does not mean you don’t care. There is a difference. You don’t worry because you know that either you can do something about it and you do it, or there is nothing that can be done and that to you accept. Fair warning… managers and bosses do not tend to like it when their employees don’t stress even if you still always deliver ahead of time.
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