Summary

The article encourages individuals to focus on positive action rather than worrying about potential failure in their pursuit of success.

Abstract

The article titled "Stop Asking 'What If It Goes Wrong?'" emphasizes that successful people do not dwell on the possibility of failure. It suggests that constantly questioning what could go wrong only leads to negative emotions, such as anxiety and fear, which hinder progress. Instead, the author advocates for embracing a mindset that focuses on taking action and asking "What if it goes right?" This positive approach is said to foster motivation, determination, and confidence, leading to a results-focused thinking that helps overcome obstacles and take necessary risks. The author argues that a problem-oriented mindset limits one's ability to succeed, whereas a solution-oriented mindset opens up possibilities for achieving goals and learning from any setbacks.

Opinions

The author believes that asking "What if it goes wrong?" is counterproductive and serves only to trigger negative emotions.
It is stated that the fear of failure is the only thing that can make a dream impossible to achieve.
The article posits that focusing on problems leads to problem-oriented answers, which are unhelpful and discouraging.

Stop Asking“What If It Goes Wrong?”

Because successful people don’t.

Are you always wondering about things that could possibly go wrong in your journey to success? If yes, then try repeating this affirmation:

“I’M BORN READY!”

I totally get it.

I often feel overwhelmed when I’m about to start something new — like writing here on Medium.

It’s a totally new experience and nothing can guarantee my success. However, I also believe that I will never reach success if I never started in the first place. Success is all about taking each-and-every step one at a time. Constantly asking yourself “What if it goes wrong?” will only reduce your chances of realizing your dreams and you’ll see why.

It Only Triggers Negative Emotions

Do it right now and ask yourself — What if it goes wrong?

How are you feeling? I bet it’s nothing pleasant.

If you think that saying it could help you prepare yourself for the worst — then you are totally wrong. When you have made the decision to achieve your goals and you are taking it very seriously, then the only thing you have left to do is to actually START.

Any other thought you get is simply your brain’s natural defence mechanism in its active mode. The problem starts when you let it control you. When you let it define your actions and decisions. It creates all sorts of negative feelings including anxiety and fear — the fear of the unknown. You let your avoidant mentality control you by not letting you take that extra step.

Yes, it is a risk. That business venture you wish to launch or that Youtube video you’re hesitating to post — any move you are trying to make towards success is hindered by that fear of failure.

“There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.”

Stop worrying about things that are out of your hands and focus on the actions you can take to make that dream come true. If something ends up going wrong later on, it’s all good — now you know what you should be avoiding in your next attempt.

It’s a Lousy Search Question

This question running through your mind is a problem oriented question. You are simply focused on the problem which means that you will only get a problem oriented answer. When you make lousy search queries — then you’ll get lousy search answers.

Your mind is essentially now trying to look for the answers to prove what it will be like when it all goes wrong. So, will that make you do anything? No. You’re just too scared now. Do you see what’s wrong here?

Focus 90% of your time on solutions and only 10% of your time on problems. — Anthony J. D’Angelo

Your goal shouldn't be to figure out what it would be like to fail — you should be focused on figuring out what it would be like to succeed and how it will change your life. This is a common mistake people make to justify their unwillingness to bring improvements to their lives. Remember that your mind cannot focus on many things at the same time. So, if you chose to focus on the problem, negative thoughts will overtake you and will prevent you from figuring out the solution.

Instead, Ask Yourself “What if It Goes Right?”

Change your questions, then you change your life.

This it the solution oriented question that you should have. As you can see, it is a simple shift in mindset that will make you move forward. To become successful, you need to understand this principle. This mindset is about taking action rather than complaining. This is what differentiates successful people from unsuccessful ones.

Once you ask yourself “ What if it goes right?” — you will start feeling positive emotions such as motivation, determination and confidence. At this point, you do not care about how you will make your dream come true, but instead you start focusing on achieving that end goal regardless of the challenges that lie ahead — You know deep down that nothing will stop you.

This is also referred to as a “Results focused” thinking. It means that you make your satisfaction based on the results you achieve and not on how you achieve them. Now your decisions are based on the outcomes that you look forward to — so this makes it a lot easier to overcome the feeling of being stuck. As a result, you are more willing to take the inevitable risks that come with success.

Conclusion

Finally, remember that focusing on the things that might go wrong during your journey to success will never help you realize your dreams. A problem oriented thinking brings negative feelings and reduces your chances of moving forward. After all, whatever happens in your life happens for a purpose. So even if things end up going wrong, you still gained an important lesson.

Think positively and change your questions — only then will you realize that you’re one step closer to success.