A question that relieves anxiety and helps you think clearly.
Most problems are not worth our panic and can be solved with far less effort than we usually spend on them. But fear prevents us from seeing that.
Fear often comes from uncertainty: we do not know what is rustling in the tall grass, a tiger or a snake. If you do not understand what danger exactly threatens you, it is hard to decide how to survive, whether to fight or to run. A state of uncertainty causes panic and keeps you from thinking adequately.
By asking yourself “What is the worst that can happen?” you introduce clarity and get rid of fear. You are ready to meet the tiger. And a pleasant side effect is that you also begin, subconsciously, to outline a Plan B.
This psychological practice is part of Stoicism, which I wrote about in a separate post.