Communication Overtones Comments
Same as you - I focus on trying to find solutions. Some worrying is particularly hard to overcome such as worry over the health of a loved one. That's when yoga really helps stem the worry for me.
Great post thanks Kami.
Siobhan; You are right that worrying about things you have no control over, like a loved one's health, is tough.
But even then, it is better to spend time with that person, or think about how they positively impact your life and others. Worry doesn't help the situation.
In the case of losing someone to death, there is no worrying that will bring them back. I have always admired people who take the death of a loved one and turn it into an opportunity to change the world for the better - start a foundation, fundraise, donate your time to a corresponding cause, etc.
And as you mention, exercise also helps.
I have gotten far better at this, but still have considerable work to do. My worry, however, manifests itself in a different way some of the time--I develop multiple ways to address a problem, and then spend way too many cycles listing out the positives and negatives of each possible solution. In other words, generating ideas doesn't necessarily calm my mind and can in fact start it racing, albeit in a different way.
Related: my mom always used to say if you have a problem, it's because you haven't made a decision yet. That to me has been slightly more helpful because making a decision sometimes (usually?) alleviates the worry.
Until I start worrying I've made the wrong decision... 
Yoga definitely has helped me, and I can tell when I skip classes.
Thoughtful post, Kami...
Jen; Yes, we can worry about worrying too. You are right, this could backfire. The key is really letting it go, which is where mind soothing yoga or prayer (if you believe in that) helps.
Storm P, a Danish thinker, said: "If you worry about your troubles, you suffer twice"
Ulstrup; Those Danish, they are smart
Thanks for this, Kami. What a great post to read first thing in the morning, inspirational dare I say.
I try to follow advice you propose: not worry about things I can't do anything about, especially those in the past, and apply the problem-solution principle.
And if nothing else works, I go for a trail run. Spend any time in nature and you'll realize how petty and small your own troubles in the big scheme of things...
This was deleted because it is off topic and is relation to another post on another site.
Edited By Siteowner
The proper place to post your comment Jack was on the post that Roula wrote (as you did), not here.
http://blog.ragan.com/prjunkie/
2...podcasting.html
Kami - For me, it's my daughter. She always reminds me there are many more problems to solve, such as which princess dress to wear.
Seriously though, if I can just latch on to even a tip of an idea to solve a communication problem, I can get back to sleep as I know I can build on it at my desk the next day.
And, if I'm stressed about solving a problem in the middle of the day, I make sure to find something that makes me laugh.
Susan; Ah, princess dresses, if only we could all be so inclined.
But seriously, I love the idea of laughter, especially the ability to laugh at oneself. It took me years to develop that skill, you can ask MY mother. 
Great post Kami.
In the area of performance (in any commitment you've made, not just work related) I realized a very important thing working at TCBY in college. I was amazed at how angry customers would get over their yogurt, especially how quickly we could get it out to them; and, after working there a while, I finally understood how to stop worrying about those people. If you *know*, without a doubt, that you are doing the absolute best job you can be doing, then you cannot worry about how people are reacting to you or judging you.
It's a little idealistic if your job is on the line, but if it's a matter of being a perfectionist or being worried about how people see you, it's a pretty good thing to keep in mind.
Your advice is especially valuable, Kami, for women as research shows we women worry more than men. I wrote an article, in part based on the book, The Gift of Fear.
It offers insights about why we worry, what we cn do about it and when we should feel our fear.
It is Why Women Worry (When Worry is Worthless, When Fear is a Friend)
http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/l...-friend-447271/
Stop worrying? People can do that? I worry a lot. I think it stems from questioning my abilities and lacking confidence. This also leads to a lot of lists. I do write down the pros and cons of everything...I research...I hunt until I solve the issue or am comfortable with the outcome. This is both a strength and weakness born out of a weakness. yes, I know, I am a strange one.
Kami, like you, I had a boss tell me the same thing...never go to him with a problem without having more than one solution. I have taken such advice to heart. My new boss says, "Always solve for yes"...I am not keen on this phrase. Not a YES woman.
I don't like that second phrase. I guess I am not a yes person either. Besides, sometimes no really is the answer!
Commenting by HaloScan
