This is how anxiety quietly takes over


Hi Reader,

Over the past few days, I've been paying closer attention to something I call The Intruder.

If you missed my last email, The Intruder is the fearful, critical voice that quietly convinces us we're not enough, that we have to prove ourselves, or that something terrible is about to happen.

The strange part is that after listening to it for years, we begin believing it's our own voice.

I've been noticing something else about it.

The Intruder rarely stays with the facts.

Instead, it immediately starts writing the rest of the story.

You lose an important client. “My business is falling apart."

Someone doesn't return your text. “They must be upset with me."

Your spouse seems distracted. “Our relationship is in trouble."

Your doctor wants to run another test. “This must be something serious."

You make a mistake during a presentation. “Everyone thinks I'm incompetent."

The event may be real, but the story that follows is often written by fear.

The Intruder takes uncertainty...and turns it into certainty that the worst is about to happen.

What's fascinating is how quickly our body believes those stories.

  • Our breathing changes.
  • Our shoulders tighten.
  • We become impatient.
  • Creative thinking disappears.
  • We lose access to our best ideas because our mind has shifted from creating to protecting.


Jesus said,
“Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself."

I've read that verse many times.

Lately I've been wondering if He was describing exactly what The Intruder does.

It pulls us away from the only place where life is actually happening...

Right here. Right now.


Return to Peace Practice

The next time you notice your mind racing today, don't argue with it.

Just pause.

  1. Take one slow, deep breath.
  2. Relax your shoulders.
  3. Then quietly ask yourself: “What do I know to be true... right now?"


Not what might happen or what happened yesterday.
Right now.

You might answer:

"I'm safe."

"I'm breathing."

"This situation is real, but I don't know how it will end."

"God has been faithful before, and He's with me now."


You'll notice something interesting. Peace doesn't come from solving the future.
It comes from returning to the present.

This simple practice can save you a lot of unnecessary suffering.

We'll continue the conversation on Wednesday.

Until then, just notice...

How often does The Intruder try to finish the story before life has had a chance to unfold?

Talk soon,

Tim

Tim Shurr, MA
Mind Architect

TimShurr.com
IndyHypnosis.com
(317) 502-5293

Helping High-Performers Scale Performance with Peace, Not Pressure.

I help high-achieving founders, business owners, and sales pros upgrade their "mental operating system" to achieve elite results without the burnout. Using the One Belief Away™ method, I help you rapidly eliminate subconscious resistance and install the unshakeable confidence needed to scale your business, strengthen your marriage, and restore inner peace.

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