Your Superpower in Disguise
Why high-performers secretly rely on worst-case-scenario thinking
We all know the feeling—your heart races, your mind leaps to the worst-case scenario, and you’re stuck in a loop of "what ifs."
Maybe it’s a delayed response from your boss, and your inner monologue says, "They’re upset with me — what if I did something wrong?"
Or you see an ominous headline about the economy, and a voice in your head whispers, "This is it— what if this is the collapse?"
Perhaps it’s the tension in a loved one’s voice, and you think, "They’re mad at me—what if I did something?"
Your brain tells you: Prepare for the worst.
Catastrophizing for a Living
Attorney Matt Margolis doesn’t just embrace catastrophizing; he’s made it his job. When drafting contracts, he imagines every unlikely disaster: supply chain breakdowns, unexpected lawsuits, even alien invasions (well, almost). Why? Because he knows his role isn’t to fear the worst but to prepare for it.
When a rare disaster does strike, Matt becomes a hero—his foresight protects his clients. As he shares in this video, his approach transforms fear into strength, strategy, and resilience.
What if you could do the same?
Emotional Alchemy: Transmogrifying Fear and Anxiety
Catastrophizing, when left unchecked, can feel like a storm. And let’s be honest—navigating any storm isn’t about following a simple checklist - there are no quick fixes or recipes for instant success. Like a muscle that grows stronger through effort and care, building resilience takes time and intention. This process — turning fear into focus — is emotional alchemy.
Headlines and Hyperbole
Now, let’s zoom out. The world around us fuels catastrophizing. The 24/7 news cycle thrives on worst-case scenarios. Headlines about the climate, policy changes, or societal shifts pull us into a reactive state. It’s easy to feel powerless, caught in a storm of speculation.
But here’s the truth: resilience isn’t about ignoring these fears. It’s about transmogrifying them—acknowledging the uncertainty and choosing how to respond.
Ask Yourself:
What does this fear feel like in my body? Can I name the tension, tightness, or unease?
Am I afraid because I care deeply about something? What value or belief is being challenged?
Is there someone I can talk to who has faced something similar? What might I learn from their experience?
What would it look like if I allowed myself to sit with this fear without needing an immediate answer or fix?
If I imagine working through this fear, what skills or strengths do I already have that could help me navigate it? What’s within my control in this situation?
How can I engage meaningfully instead of imagining the worst scenarios?
The Art of Emotional Alchemy
Catastrophizing isn’t always a flaw to overcome; it can be a capacity to refine. It’s the lawyer drafting contracts to protect against the unimaginable. It’s the activist preparing for systemic shifts. It’s you, envisioning challenges and choosing to meet them with clarity and courage.
Catastrophizing often feels overwhelming, as though the weight of worst-case scenarios is too much to bear. But what if this very ability to imagine the worst is a gift that connects us to what matters most? When we catastrophize, it reveals our deepest fears and values—what we most want to protect, preserve, or achieve.
Rather than viewing catastrophizing as something to suppress, we can use it as an opportunity to cultivate resilience and self-awareness. The worst-case scenarios we envision can be a teacher, and our ability to imagine challenging futures is the first step in shaping better ones.
Recognize the alchemist within you - turn emotional lead into emotional gold.