---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What is the worst possible thing that can…"
description: "\"What is the worst possible thing that can happen as a result of this change? Much worry and stress comes from the refusal to face what might happen as ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b03/nate-946_change_what-is-the-worst-possible-thing-that-ca_2139333.jpg"
---

#  What is the worst possible thing that can happen as a…

![“What is the worst possible thing that can happen as a result of this change? Much worry and stress comes from the refusal to face what might happen as a result of a difficult problem. When you clearly define the worst possible outcome and write it down next to the definition of the problem…” quote by Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b03/nate-946_change_what-is-the-worst-possible-thing-that-ca_2139333.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b03/nate-946_change_what-is-the-worst-possible-thing-that-ca_2139333.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b03/nate-946_change_what-is-the-worst-possible-thing-that-ca_2139333.jpg)

> “What is the worst possible thing that can happen as a result of this change? Much worry and stress comes from the refusal to face what might happen as a result of a difficult problem. When you clearly define the worst possible outcome and write it down next to the definition of the problem, chances are you will find that, whatever it is, you can handle it. Often, your worries will begin to evaporate after you have determined the worst that might happen as a result. Now decide to accept the worst possible outcome should it occur. Mentally resolve that, even if the worst possible consequence ensues from this situation, it will not be the end of the world for you. You will accept it and carry on. The very act of accepting the worst possible outcome helps to eliminate the stress and anxiety associated with the situation.”

[Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Suggests defining and accepting the worst‑case scenario to reduce anxiety and improve problem‑solving.

**In simple terms:** Write down the worst outcome to lessen worry.

Key Takeaway

Identify worst case, then move forward.

Themes

psychology anxiety problem solving

Mood

reflective calming

Type

self‑help motivational

When to use this quote

- personal crisis
- decision making
- project planning

Key Concepts

cognitive reframing stress management

Questions to Reflect On

- Can fear be a motivator?
- When is acceptance counterproductive?

A Different Perspective

Accepting worst case may cause fatalism.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [End of the world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/end-of-the-world/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Stress and anxiety](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stress-and-anxiety/)

## Related quotes

> [“Worry implies that we don't quite trust God is big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what's happening in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/worry-implies-that-we-don-t-quite-trust-god-is-big-enough-powerful/)

[Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/)

> [Worry and stress is one of the most unhealthiest things. They say that cancer and sickness comes from that, so you know I do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carmen-electra/worry-and-stress-is-one-of-the-most-unhealthiest-things-they-say-that/)

[Carmen Electra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carmen-electra/)

> [Both worry and stress reek of arrogance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/both-worry-and-stress-reek-of-arrogance/)

[Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/)

> [“There’s a vital truth to be learned from the fall of Anakin Skywalker. It’s simply this: You were not fashioned to live in fear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-paul-jones/there-s-a-vital-truth-to-be-learned-from-the-fall-of-anakin-skywalker/)

[Timothy Paul Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-paul-jones/)

> [The problem of life is to change worry into thinking and anxiety into creative action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-bridgwood-walker/the-problem-of-life-is-to-change-worry-into-thinking-and-anxiety-into/)

Harold Bridgwood Walker

> [“Because it would change me to worry about it. It would keep me indoors, or make me paranoid, or stop me from fucking you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-lauren/because-it-would-change-me-to-worry-about-it-it-would-keep-me-indoors/)

[Christina Lauren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-lauren/)

> [Nathanial can show me how to better control the change, but even so, you never have to worry about me turning into a cat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeaniene-frost/nathanial-can-show-me-how-to-better-control-the-change-but-even-so/)

[Jeaniene Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeaniene-frost/)

> [“Just a little climate change. Nothing to worry about.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-nye/just-a-little-climate-change-nothing-to-worry-about/)

[Bill Nye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-nye/)

> [Worry is useless mulling over of things we cannot change. Worry is not concern, which would motivate you to do everything possible in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peace-pilgrim/worry-is-useless-mulling-over-of-things-we-cannot-change-worry-is-not/)

[Peace Pilgrim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peace-pilgrim/)

> [“If you’re not happy, then something is wrong. A person comes into the world as a happy being, yet over time, the happiness fades…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-hershkovich/if-you-re-not-happy-then-something-is-wrong-a-person-comes-into-the/)

[Leigh Hershkovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-hershkovich/)

> [Being healthy is feeling the same way as little children feel. Little children are bursting with energy every day. Their bodies feel light and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhonda-byrne/being-healthy-is-feeling-the-same-way-as-little-children-feel-little/)

[Rhonda Byrne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhonda-byrne/)

> [If you've tried everything possible to get an outcome, and it just hasn't worked out as planned, stop trying so hard. Relax. Maybe the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-s-sharma/if-you-ve-tried-everything-possible-to-get-an-outcome-and-it-just/)

[Robin S. Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-s-sharma/)

> [“I like to read and write because it is the ONLY thing that takes my mind off of the real world and my spinning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shandy-l-kurth/i-like-to-read-and-write-because-it-is-the-only-thing-that-takes-my/)

[Shandy L. Kurth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shandy-l-kurth/)

> [To doubt is to have faith in the worst possible outcome.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaine-lee-pardoe/to-doubt-is-to-have-faith-in-the-worst-possible-outcome/)

[Blaine Lee Pardoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaine-lee-pardoe/)

> [“In the last month, I've realized in a way I never had before that this is and will be my life -- this day-to-day…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/priscilla-gilman/in-the-last-month-i-ve-realized-in-a-way-i-never-had-before-that-this/)

[Priscilla Gilman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/priscilla-gilman/)

## More by Nate

> [Forgiveness is not saying, What you did to me is okay. It is saying, Im not going to let what you did to me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/forgiveness-is-not-saying-what-you-did-to-me-is-okay-it-is-saying-im/)

[Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/)

> [But just remember, the next time you see a person, do not judge whats on the outside, we could be having a bad day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/but-just-remember-the-next-time-you-see-a-person-do-not-judge-whats/)

[Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/)

> [Is the glass half empty or half full? Life and relationships work better when the glass is half full. Below are some simple yet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/is-the-glass-half-empty-or-half-full-life-and-relationships-work/)

[Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/)

> [If you can forgive yourself as well as others and learn from your mistakes, problems and heartaches will be stepping stones on your path…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/if-you-can-forgive-yourself-as-well-as-others-and-learn-from-your/)

[Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/)

> [The thing that counts most in the pursuit of happiness is choosing the right companion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/the-thing-that-counts-most-in-the-pursuit-of-happiness-is-choosing/)

[Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/)

> [. Be grateful Create a sense of gratitude for what you have, for what is working, for what is wonderful and sweet in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/be-grateful-create-a-sense-of-gratitude-for-what-you-have-for-what-is/)

[Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/)

> [A girl can be your best friend, worst enemy, a real sweetheart or a total witch. It all depends on how you treat her](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/a-girl-can-be-your-best-friend-worst-enemy-a-real-sweetheart-or-a-2/)

[Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/)

> [No matter what, once in your life, someone will hurt you. That someone will take all that you are, and rip it into pieces…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/no-matter-what-once-in-your-life-someone-will-hurt-you-that-someone/)

[Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/)

> [Look for positive people and situations. Call a friend who sees the good in others. Spend time with a colleague who affirms the bright…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/look-for-positive-people-and-situations-call-a-friend-who-sees-the/)

[Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/)

> [Dont rush things. anything worth having is worth waiting for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/dont-rush-things-anything-worth-having-is-worth-waiting-for/)

[Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/)

> [People know your name,not your story . Theyve heard what youve done, but not what youve been through. So take their opinions of you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/people-know-your-name-not-your-story-theyve-heard-what-youve-done-but/)

[Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/)

> [I wish what made us grow apart didnt happen, I miss what we had all the laughs and good times, I wish I never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/i-wish-what-made-us-grow-apart-didnt-happen-i-miss-what-we-had-all/)

[Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/)

> [Seeing people change isnt what hurts.What hurts is remembering how they used to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/seeing-people-change-isnt-what-hurts-what-hurts-is-remembering-how/)

[Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/)

> [Do not tell me you are too old. Age is all imagination. Ignore years and they will ignore you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/do-not-tell-me-you-are-too-old-age-is-all-imagination-ignore-years/)

[Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/)

> [Top 10 Things to do at the Mall 10. At the bottom of an escalator, scream MY SHOELACES! AAAGH! 9. At the stylist, ask…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/top-10-things-to-do-at-the-mall-10-at-the-bottom-of-an-escalator/)

[Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/)

[Explore all 323 Nate quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/)

## More Change quotes

> [Only within yourself exists the other reality for which you long. I can give you nothing that has not already its being within yourself.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/only-within-yourself-exists-the-other-reality-for-which-you-long-i/)

[Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/)

> [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/)

[Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/)

> [“…progress isn't necessarily about change but about things turning out as we want them to”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-hogan/progress-isn-t-necessarily-about-change-but-about-things-turning-out/)

Phil Hogan

> [Nobody can tell me that no changes are necessary in Washington.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-weld/nobody-can-tell-me-that-no-changes-are-necessary-in-washington/)

[William Weld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-weld/)

> [If my campaign is not in the debate, we will not be talking about how we really fix this problem of endless and expanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/if-my-campaign-is-not-in-the-debate-we-will-not-be-talking-about-how/)

[Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/)

> [When you walk down the street of Kabul your values for life changes, they do change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-pierre-white/when-you-walk-down-the-street-of-kabul-your-values-for-life-changes/)

[Marco Pierre White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-pierre-white/)

> [Your world will change whether or not you choose to change, but you have the power to choose it's direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/your-world-will-change-whether-or-not-you-choose-to-change-but-you/)

[Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/)

> [I hope I continue to evolve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-flair/i-hope-i-continue-to-evolve/)

[Charlotte Flair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-flair/)

> [“Stay focused on bringing people together and more on positive messaging so that you can be the change you wish to see in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/stay-focused-on-bringing-people-together-and-more-on-positive/)

[Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/)

> [The biggest change for me as a mom was realizing I needed to put someone else before me. Now the hardest part about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-alexis/the-biggest-change-for-me-as-a-mom-was-realizing-i-needed-to-put/)

[Kim Alexis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-alexis/)

> [“After the funeral, my life changed. I felt as if time were suddenly precious, water going down an open drain, and I could not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/after-the-funeral-my-life-changed-i-felt-as-if-time-were-suddenly/)

[Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/)

> [You practice mindfulness, on the one hand, to be calm and peaceful. On the other hand, as you practice mindfulness and live a life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-practice-mindfulness-on-the-one-hand-to-be-calm-and-peaceful-on/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Irish research will contribute to global progress and have the potential to help all countries realise the potential of their land sectors in addressing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enda-kenny/irish-research-will-contribute-to-global-progress-and-have-the/)

[Enda Kenny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enda-kenny/)

> [No man can change himself into anything from sheer reason; he can only change into what he potentially is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/no-man-can-change-himself-into-anything-from-sheer-reason-he-can-only/)

[Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/)

[Browse all 33,920 Change quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "What is the worst possible thing that can happen as a result of this change? Much worry and stress comes from the refusal to face what might happen as a result of a difficult problem. When you clearly define the worst possible outcome and write it down next to the definition of the problem, chances are you will find that, whatever it is, you can handle it. Often, your worries will begin to evaporate after you have determined the worst that might happen as a result. Now decide to accept the worst possible outcome should it occur. Mentally resolve that, even if the worst possible consequence ensues from this situation, it will not be the end of the world for you. You will accept it and carry on. The very act of accepting the worst possible outcome helps to eliminate the stress and anxiety associated with the situation.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Nate"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/what-is-the-worst-possible-thing-that-can-happen-as-a-result-of-this/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Change"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/what-is-the-worst-possible-thing-that-can-happen-as-a-result-of-this/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b03/nate-946_change_what-is-the-worst-possible-thing-that-ca_2139333.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b03/nate-946_change_what-is-the-worst-possible-thing-that-ca_2139333.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b03/nate-946_change_what-is-the-worst-possible-thing-that-ca_2139333.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“What is the worst possible thing that can happen as a result of this change? Much worry and stress comes…” — Nate",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Nate",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "What is the worst possible thing...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/what-is-the-worst-possible-thing-that-can-happen-as-a-result-of-this/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/what-is-the-worst-possible-thing-that-can-happen-as-a-result-of-this/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
