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Managing the Big Unknown
Dr. Peter Sandman and a team of researchers, working at Rutgers University, determined that unfamiliar risks are more threatening to people than familiar risks. That is why the tiny little risk of dying from anthrax, for example, is much more terrifying than the statistically bigger risk of dying from the flu, even though over 1700 people die each year from the flu, and only four have died from anthrax exposure. We're accustomed to risking the flu; we're not accustomed to risking anthrax.
Why is the unfamiliar riskier? The Brain Operating Principle of Bermuda Triangles of Information helps us understand why. The principle says that given a black hole or lack of information, our brains are compelled to fill that hole with negative conclusions--and it's often with conclusions that are far more negative than reality. An unfamiliar situation or risk is a big, black hole, so our natural tendency is to assume the negative, creating fear and stress. This negative reaction is a holdover from the days when assuming the negative in an uncertain situation kept us alive. But today, instead of a protective mechanism, it can be a destructive one.
In some cases, outlining the logic of a situation can help to reduce the negative stress of an unknown. But in others, logic has no effect. This is because you can understand something logically, but not comprehend it emotionally. So, logically you may understand that your risk of being exposed to and dying from anthrax is extremely small. But emotionally you still have to deal with the fear and stress of the unfamiliar and the unknown.
In a situation like this, I find rituals to be amazingly effective tools for directing your brain. Rituals are very powerful because they speak to your emotional brain as well as your logical, rational one.
The ritual I recommend for clients dealing with the stress and fear of the unknown is to start a Worry Box. Write down your fears, concerns, and worries on small pieces of paper, put them in the box and close the lid. Then, each time you find yourself starting a worry episode, perform the ritual again. Write down your worries and give them to the box.
There are three key elements in creating and using a ritual. They are:
1)
Intention: Holding in your mind your intention in (reason for)
performing the ritual.
2) Attention: Paying attention to the ritual as you perform it.
3) Tangible Symbols: Using something tangible to symbolize the
intention of your ritual (in this case, the paper and the box).
You can use any box you have lying around (even a shoe box), as long as it has a lid. If you like, you can decorate your box, but it's not required for the ritual to work.
Shannon Bradford is a writer and coach, helping people learn how to
master their brains to succeed in their careers and businesses. She
is the author of Brain Power (Wiley, 2002), 15-Minute
Career Change, and 15-Minute Breakthrough.
© 2001 Shannon Bradford
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