Plot Twist! How to Stop Catastrophising at Work (For Anxious Professionals)
The Deeper Dive
Steam filled the bathroom while I stood there arguing with a version of my boss who wasn’t even awake yet.
By the time I turned off the water, I had already been fired, embarrassed, exposed, and forced to move to a cabin in the woods.
None of it had happened.
But my nervous system didn’t know that.
We laugh about “shower arguments” with anxiety clients, but they’re not random.
They’re rehearsals.
When we’re anxious professionals, our brains think they’re being helpful by scanning for danger before it appears.
If I imagine the worst-case scenario first, maybe I can control it.
It sounds smart.
It feels responsible.
It’s also exhausting.
Here’s the weird part: confidence isn’t built by winning imaginary disasters.
It’s built by surviving real moments.
Your brain keeps dragging you into fake futures because it doesn’t trust that you can handle them.
Not because you can’t.
Because you haven’t shown it proof recently.
And I know — this might sound backwards.
You don’t feel confident, so you rehearse disasters.
But rehearsing disasters is the exact thing keeping confidence out.
So let’s interrupt it.
I call this The Plot Twist Practice.
The next time you catch yourself mid–shampoo spiralling, say (out loud if you can), “Plot twist.”
Then ask, “If that’s what happens, how would I handle it?”
Then ask, “What would I rather have happen instead?"
What Plot Twist Would be even Better?
HINT: We’re not trying to manifest rainbows. We’re teaching your nervous system that you are capable in ordinary reality.
This works because anxiety feeds on extremes.
Catastrophe feels urgent. Fantasy success feels fragile.
Neutral feels safe.
And safe is where confidence grows.
The next time you’re in the shower before a big presentation, and you notice your jaw clenching while you imagine forgetting your own name, I want you to hear “Plot twist.”
I want you to feel your shoulders drop.
I want you to remember that you don’t need to pre-live failure to succeed.
You just need to show up.
You’re not behind.
You’re building evidence.
One boring, handled moment at a time.
With you in the steam,
Mark “Plot Twist” Morley.
P.S. Would you like to boost your confidence while reduing your anxiety & stress?
Check out Your Free Proconfidence Hypnotic Download
