Most would agree that unproductive worry, or ruminating over some event that isn’t happening and is outside of our control is not a good idea. And, yet, have you noticed how common it is?

The Neuroscience

Why is that? If we know that it isn’t helpful, why do we still do it? The answer lies in how the brain processes information. Basically, the part of the brain that gets information first (the limbic system), has a negative bias. In other words, it pays more attention to negative data than positive because its mission is to keep us alive as a specie.

Unfortunately, this tendency to over-interpret negative data (such as some future, potentially negative event) as dangerous, results in a release of fight-or-flight chemicals that we experience as anxiety. This would be bad enough if it stopped there, but it doesn’t.

Instead, the anxiety is now paired with an increasing sense of powerlessness which triggers more “anxiety, and we become trapped in an ever-escalating cycle.

Productive Concern

So, what’ the solution? Do we just adopt a laissez-faire perspective of, “don’t worry, be happy?” No. The key here is awareness. First, we need to understand what is happening in the brain so that we don’t think our anxiety is being caused by some external stimuli. Next, we need to ensure that we are distinguishing between unproductive anticipatory anxiety and productive concern.

Productive concern is just that: productive. It helps us make plans, and consider different ways of dealing with the future. It actually engages a different part of the brain (the neocortex, what I call the Top of the Mind) and triggers chemicals, such as, serotonin and endorphins that help us feel better, and think clearer. Productive concern feels good while anticipatory anxiety feels bad.

Three Levels of Creation

Next, if we want to create a more purposeful, productive experience of life, we need to engage the three levels of creation: thought, word, and deed (or action.) We choose thoughts that serve us, such as, enjoying making plans without the need to control the future. We then shift from saying, “I am anxious” to “a part of me is experiencing anxiety due to my middle brain triggering certain chemicals.” Finally, we shift from the lower brain to the Top of the Mind using methods, such as, meditation, prayer, yoga, etc.

A System for Success

This is actually what my “Life from the Top of the Mind” system teaches… how to break the cycle of anxiety (stress, frustration), shift to the clear, confident, creative brain, rewire the brain so that we become more resilient in the future, and engage others to shift from the resistant brain to the receptive brain in order to create more solution-focused conversations.

If you feel that this would be valuable for you and/or your organization, I suggest you contact me, because, as long as we are feeding anticipatory anxiety, we will be forever trapped in the anxious, worried brain and trapped in a cycle of stress, frustration, and powerlessness.

~ All the best, Dr. Bill

In addition to being named Speaker of the Year for organizations in both the United States and Canada, Dr. Bill Crawford holds a masters degree and PhD in psychology from the University of Houston. He is also a licensed psychologist, author of eight books, and organizational consultant. Over the last 40 + years, he has created more than 4,500 presentations for such organizations as T-Mobile, Shell, The American Medical Association, PBS and many other organizations and professional associations, both nationally and internationally. In addition, his two PBS specials on stress and communication have been seen by more than 15 million people, and he has been quoted as an expert in such diverse publications as The New York Times, Entrepreneur, The Chicago Tribune, Investor’s Business Daily, and Working Mother, just to name a few.