>> Why We Have This Emotion
Dread tells us to prepare, because something big is at stake. Waiting can be more distressing than the event we fear. People will often accept worse outcomes sooner just to end the wait.
◎ What to do in the moment
Good Ideas
- Name exactly what you're dreading
- Is this likely? Or just possible?
- Get an outside opinion
- Convert dread into a specific plan
- Let it motivate you to prepare
- After the event, debrief. Was it as bad as you feared? What can you learn?
Bad Ideas
- Assume the worst is inevitable
- Suffer now before the event
- Avoid thinking about it entirely
- Amplify the dread with bad sleep, alcohol, and impulsive behaviors
- Resort to any desperate plan that might get you out of it