What’s the Worst Thing That Could Happen?

Vol 1, #1: What’s the Worst Thing That Can Happen?
Aug 1, 2011

If you are uncertain of your adaptability, it’s easy to be afraid of failure. After all, everything is changing. Why shouldn’t you be afraid of failing?

I think it’s smart to be aware of failure. Life is full of potentially scary moments.

Yet, what’s the worst thing that can happen?

When I run adaptability workshops, I hear several kinds of answers. Sometimes, people shrug their shoulders and look as if I should be telepathic with them. Or, they start to answer and several sentences later, they say, “I’ll die.”

I don’t want to die either. That’s a Big Deal.

However, there’s almost always a middle ground between “nothing” and “I’ll die.” For me, that’s “I’ll fall down and hurt myself somewhere. Or, “I’ll make a fool of myself.”

Sometimes, I don’t know which is worse—the fall or the fool!

And that’s where some risk management comes in. You can try just about anything with some risk management. For me, that means using a cane or walking sticks and asking for help. Or timing an activity around when I’ve eaten or making sure I’m hydrated. Or, letting a client know I have vertigo and I only look drunk.

Risk management helps you generate alternatives that allow you to proceed and succeed. Then you know the best that could happen, because you’ve considered the worst.

© 2011 Johanna Rothman