○ Worrying is not 'thinking'—Tips for moving forward taught by March 5th

Getterz Iida shares
messages suited for 'that day' of the 365 days of the year in gentle words. I myself want to incorporate

small realizations into my daily life, so every morning
I summarize the day's message as an article.

Today, too, I will deliver words that can gently accompany the start of your day.

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■ Today's message (March 5th)

Worries, anxieties, and concerns do not count as 'thinking'

Worries, anxieties, and concerns are not included in 'thinking'. You only truly 'think' once you progress to 'So, what shall I do?'
Only after moving to 'So, what shall I do?' can it be called 'thinking'.

This is a message to distinguish between 'worrying that makes you stand still' and 'thinking that moves you forward'.

■ Summary: Worrying = treading water, thinking = moving forward

Worrying and anxiety are states where you ruminate on the same thing over and over in your head, and only your emotions increase. On the other hand,

'thinking' means:

• Organizing the situation

• Finding the cause

• Deciding on possible measures and actions

In other words, it refers to creating concrete movements toward moving forward.

Today, it can be said that the message is 'Let's shift from a state of worrying and being unable to move, to a state of thinking and acting.'

■ Point 1: First, separate 'worrying' from 'thinking'

○ Characteristics of worry, anxiety, and concern

• Ruminating on the same thing in your head

• Ending with 'What should I do...?'

• Only emotions increase

• Actions do not change

○ Characteristics of a 'thinking' state

• Being able to see facts and emotions separately

• Being able to list and compare options

• Breaking things down to the action level

In other words, it is important to change the time you spend worrying into
time to think, decide, and act.

■ Point 2: Don't stop at emotions; ask 'So, what will I do?'

There is always an emotion behind a worry.

• Anxiety: 'What if it doesn't go well?'

• Worry: 'What if I'm disliked?'

• Regret: 'If only I had done that back then...'

As long as you are stuck here, you are still in the 'worry zone.' What is
necessary to take a step forward is:

• Putting into words what you are worried about

• Separating what you can control from what you cannot

• Deciding on one action for the part you can control

Only when you take these steps have you finally 'thought' about it.

■ Point 3: Simple steps to change 'worrying' into 'thinking'

When a worry won't leave your head, try the following order:

1. Write your worries down on paper exactly as they are
   Example: 'I'm anxious because my husband seems distant,' 'I'm worried about money in the future,' etc.

2. Separate facts from interpretations (assumptions)
   - Fact: What is actually happening
   - Interpretation: Imaginations like 'I must be disliked' or 'It will probably fail'

3. Focus only on the parts you can control
   - Change your own attitude

   • Gather information

   • Consult with someone

   • Start small preparations

4. Decide on one thing you can do today
   Example: 'Make time to talk for just 10 minutes,' 'Review just one item in your household budget'

This is the shift from “worrying” to “thinking and acting”.

■ Point 4: Continuing to worry drains both your luck and your mental state

When you continue to hold onto worries and anxieties,

• your expression becomes gloomy

• your words become negative

• your movements become sluggish

As a result,

• good people and good opportunities stop coming your way

• you become unable to accept chances, thinking 'it's impossible anyway'

Getters Iida often says,
“People who live brightly and in a good mood seize luck.” Staying in the swamp of worry is also an act of lowering your own luck.

■ Point 5: A 'gentle shift' for when you still end up worrying

Emotions don't just stop like a switch. That is precisely why you should try to shift them gently using the following methods.

• Notice that 'I am just worrying right now' (don't blame yourself)

• Decide, 'Then I will make it a “thinking time” for just 5 minutes'

• Put things like other people's feelings or the past, “things that have no answer even if you think about them,” on hold.

It is not about “erasing worries,” but rather
separating the time spent worrying from the time spent thinking, and gradually increasing the “thinking time.”
That is the image.

■ Conclusion

Worrying is not a bad thing.
However, if you stay stuck there, both your heart and your luck will be drained.

I feel that today's message is a gentle push to
try to take even just one step forward, from “worrying” to “thinking and acting.”

May today also be a day where realizations that help you move forward come to you.

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Please enjoy past articles as well.

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