What is the best outcome you can imagine?

Hey Reader,

“What’s the worst that could happen?”

Maybe you've heard this from a coach, or a friend, or even on a podcast.

It’s an invitation to consider the actual worst-case scenarios that could come from a situation you're in or a risk you’re taking. It’s an attempt to level-set your fears with reality.

Okay, let’s play that out. Try this example on for size:

Let’s say you’ve decided to host a workshop next month for the people who need your dream.

What’s the worst that could happen?

Maybe no one signs up. Maybe 10 people sign up but no one shows up. Or maybe you have 20 people there and you can’t get your slides to work. Or there’s a troll dominating the chat. Or your internet goes out and Zoom crashes. Or people can hear you but they can’t see you because you can’t get your camera to turn on....

Whew! As I wrote that list, I couldn’t help but think: Why am I rehearsing these negative scenarios?

I think my coaches would say:

“What you imagine happening is way worse than what is likely to happen, so you can feel better because your ‘worst-case scenario’ is nowhere near what the reality will be.”

Maybe this is true. Maybe it’s not.

But what if we took a different approach?

What if we turned the question around and asked it this way:

“What’s the absolute best that could happen?”

What if it went like this:

You put yourself out there, make flyers for your event, tell everyone you know, and post about it on social media and 20 people sign up!!

You put your whole heart into creating the best presentation you know how to create. You’ve done the work to get the right people there. Friends are telling friends about it because they know how great you are at what you do and they know you can help people.

You pray daily about how it’s going to go, submitting the results to the Lord, trusting He’ll go before you, inviting Him to help you get out of your own head and into the good work you want to do.

The day comes, and you feel confident. You’re excited! You’re not worried about your slides because you know the content forwards and backwards since you’ve been rehearsing for weeks. You’re excited to have 20 sign-ups because you know every one of them will get something out of it.

You’ve thought ahead and invited a trusted friend to be your eyes and ears in the chat so you don't have to even think about it.

You step up to the mic and it goes swimmingly. You get to deliver your content. The people are excited about it. But they’re more excited at the chance to work with you. Because your credibility shines through. You’re good at what you do and your confidence is in Christ so you don’t have anything to prove. And it shows.

You hear amazing feedback from the event, two people reach out saying they want to work with you in the next 30 days because they’re the right fit for your offer. The rest excitedly join your newsletter list to stay in touch so they can continue to learn from you. You suddenly have proof of concept, potential new clients, a growing email list and assurance that God gave you the gifts He gave for a reason: He wants to use you to bring hope and healing to others.

Do you see the difference?

It even feels different to imagine what's possible.

Depending on your dream, I realize this may be a leap, even for an imaginary scenario.

Your dream might involve something else entirely, like writing a book, starting a business, teaching others a skill you’ve acquired or a valuable lesson you've learned.

But don’t you think “What’s the best that could happen?” is a far better question than dwelling on the worst?

Here’s why: Because both the Bible and neuroscience teach us that we can tell our brains what to think. “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind,” and all that.

This isn't manifestation or just positive thinking. This is taking captive the thoughts that the enemy might’ve used to derail you entirely, and instead, shining the light of Christ on them.

Unrealistic? Too woo-woo for you? I get it. It seems a little strange, but remember who offered abundant life (John 10:10). Jesus did. The very same God who created the world (Gen. 1:1), knit you together in your mother’s womb (Ps. 139:13), and knew you before you were born (Jer. 1:5).

Who's to say He isn't already working in the direction of "the best that could happen"?

So, how about you take that simple question and asked it about your dream.

"What's the absolute best that could happen?”

When you close out this email, grab a journal or piece of paper, set a timer for 5 minutes, and write it out for yourself.

That workshop scenario I mentioned above? That was mine, in real time. I decided to share here because I practice what I teach. In this case, I'm inviting the best possible outcome for an actual workshop I'm hosting in April. (Click here if you want to be the first to know all the details.)

Then, consider what small step God might have you take today to move toward that reality.

And maybe this will help...check out this week’s episode of the Devoted Dreamers Podcast:

Faith, Fear & Dreams: Stop Procrastinating, Start Moving

This is the second of four conversations between me and visiting co-host Erin Straza, and in this one, we're talking all about the things we choose instead of the step that will move us forward.

I hope it helps you feel less alone on the journey.

Until next time, I am…

With you in the dream,

~Merritt

Christian Life Coach for Midlife Women

What is the best outcome you can imagine?

Christian Life Coach for Midlife Women