MADE Maven October Issue MADE Magazine | Page 50

MADELIFE 5 WAYS TO COPE WHEN YOUR Ambition Causes Anxiety MADE BY SHANNON TERRY, LCPC THE MILLENNIAL GENERATION IS FULL OF CREATORS, ENTREPRENEURS, SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCERS AND THOSE ASPIRING TO BE THE PREVIOUSLY STATED. SETTING GOALS AND ACHIEVING DREAMS ARE OFTEN GREETED WITH GREAT RESISTANCE CALLED “ANXIETY.” ANXIETY IS DEFINED AS EXCESSIVE WORRY, FEAR OR NERVOUSNESS CREATED BY A PARTICULAR SITUATION. WHILE ANXIETY IS ENVIABLE, YOU CAN BEAT IT! HERE ARE 5 SIMPLE WAYS TO COPE WITH ANXIETY CAUSED BY PURSUING YOUR AMBITIONS: 1. AFFIRM YOURSELF At the beginning and end of the day, you are responsible for seeing your ambitions come to life. It helps to remind yourself how amazing you are and what you’ve accomplished. Write them and recite them when in doubt of what you can achieve. 2. CHALLENGE YOUR NEGATIVE THOUGHTS Anxiety and negative thoughts go hand-in- hand. Negative thoughts and doubts are typically generated by fear. More often than not, these thoughts are unfounded. As negative thoughts arise, ask yourself “What evidence do I have to support this thought?” made-magazine.com | 50 3. JUST DO IT Nike said it best, “Just Do It.” The longer you ruminate on your anxieties and fears, the more likely you are to talk yourself out of your ambitions, dreams and goals.