Challenges are more fun than threats
I'm planning a backpacking trip this weekend.
It's felt pretty stressful and scary at times.
When I listen into the stress it's telling me all of the "threats" that might (will) lie ahead with this plan.
This is how the freaked out part of me likes to react to uncertainty to keep me from doing things it doesn't want me to do.
Well, it's pretty effective. Threats are scary!
So, I prefer to re-frame them as challenges.
A threat is: "I might get there too late and get lost and that would be awful!"
A challenge is: "It's possible it'll be dark out and I'll have to find a way to get where I need to go in the dark."
A threat does not ask if I'm capable.
A challenge does.
A challenge paints a picture of reality, open to the uncertainty of the outcome.
A threat assumes certainty, even if bad, because uncertainty is intolerable.
A threat is a powerful demotivater.
A challenge is an incredible motivator because it is asking you to step up, to bring out your best self, to dust off skills and knowledge that might have been dormant.
It's another chance to answer the question "what am I capable of, really?"
A threat is an experience to avoid or put behind you as quickly as possible.
A challenge is an opportunity to add another victory to your story.