… Then, why the heck am I still taking Prozac? Well, some people, like author Dr. Robert Maurer, claims that that stress just doesn’t exist. Dr. Maurer is an Associate Clinical Professor at the UCLA School of Medicine and he talks a lot about KAIZEN, a process of taking small, trivial steps over time to master a goal, a skill, or an attitude.

Now, its’ not that he doesn’t believe in setting huge goals like we do; it’s just that he believes that, in order to reach those goals, it is helpful to take small steps regularly in order to get there. You know. It’s like the tortoise and the hare – remember who won that won?

So when it comes to managing stress in these uncertain times, we need to do the responsible things that will keep us on track — plan ahead, do reality checks with others, talk with professionals (accountant, etc.) review budgets, etc. And to do those things, Dr. Maurer suggests that we take small, trivial steps to handle those activities.

This process also works very well. It is our thinking process that is so much the source of our anxiety. So instead of obsessing about how you’ll never get hired again because you are over 50, you might allow yourself to consider the idea that some one might actually hire you! You might start saying to yourself that “there is a job for everyone –even 50 year-olds.” And then do nothing about it for a few days except to repeat that statement a couple of times each day. Then, on the 4th day, allow yourself 10 minutes to look online at just 1 job site to see what is available. Then several days later, select 1 job and send in your resume. Or maybe pick up the phone and call someone you might be able to help you. Remember – change your thinking, change your life!

One of my friends, Melissa, was scared to death that she was going to lose her apartment because she was at the end of her savings. Because her anxiety was so high, she couldn’t concentrate and her ability to make good decisions was impossible. So she started to tell herself every day that “Everything was going to be OK.” She didn’t believe it at first, but after a while, she started to feel better. She noticed that she was sleeping better and that her neck pains were going away. The more she focused on how things were going to get better, the less she thought about being thrown out into the street. Eventually, she was able to start taking small, trivial steps to make positive changes in her life. She got some friends to help her, and she was able to manage her difficulties successfully.

So we need to ask ourselves to what extent are we creating our own stress? Are you a believer in “abundance” or in “scarcity”? Do you trust that the Universe is “safe and nurturing” or is it an “unsafe place to be”? Why not consider the more optimistic approach and allow yourself those small, trivial steps to help you change your life. Keep your vision massive and do something every day to help you get there. You will be amazed at your results!

STEP 5 – BE OPTIMISTIC!