I have just read session 4. I was amazed!! I was all over that chapter. I realize my expectations are too high and not realistic. I am very excited. I kind of knew this, but it has never really sunk in. This is one of my reasons for procrastination. I jump to the wrong conclusion with an expectation that it if I face this fear it will be very very very bad. When I think about it, the things I have had to face were way out of proportion and very solvable. Has anyone else read this yet?

I am with you. Session 4 is an eye opener for me. It is pin pointing my problems. I have read your post several times. I am there for you.

I just listened to session 4 today and did some journaling. I also listened to the relaxation tape. My expectations are way out of proportion to reality. Yesterday, I was somewhat anxious, Christmas, the in-laws, cooking, cleaning. I took some advise from session 4. Life is not fair. Yes I am anxious, but that will pass and it won't kill me. Let go of my expectations and just go with the flow. The past was nice and I have good memories, but that was then and this is now. Today will be another memory. The day turned out to be nice, and I enjoyed myself and the company. We ate, played cards, watched a couple of movies, and played with the kids. This will be a good memory for me in the future. I believe the tools in this program need to be practiced on a daily basis. Today I will do the same as yesterday. Thanks Maude for your post. Have a great day.

I just finished session 4. Not only do I have high expectations of myself but high expectations of others. I have a problem of beating myself up because I didn't meet my goals or didn't do as good of a job as I think that I'm capable of. To make it worse,If someone doesn't do what they say that they are going to do or do what I think they should do,it bothers me. Usually causing lots of anxiety that day,thats if I'm lucky,sometimes into the next day or longer. Sometimes a week or so later I will think about it again and then start to dwell on it and then the anxiety starts again. Has anyone else thought like this?

To EB

Iknow what you mean when you keep replaying something that happen the past over and over. My anxiety seems also to get worse. But I try to expect less and be affected less. Sometimes it works sometimes it does not. But you have to keep plugging away. I started lesson 5 this week and feel like I need to go over 3 and 4 again just for a booster. Need to work on my positive thinking and expections more.

I am on lesson 4 expectations. I went through the program this time last year. Well I had an anxious autumn and realized I needed to restart program.

Expectations this is one of the most difficult lessons for me. I am an extremely controling person. i beat myself up and second guess my self if I didn't do something perfectly or live up to my own expectations of myself. What would others think of me, type self talk.

Always coming from a sense of lacking, not good enough nonsense. I have a difficult time letting go of mistakes because I feel like I should have know better, or what was I thinking.
I even think those I committed 20-25 yrs ago!

I am moving ahead with my plan to retrun to work. I have been home full time raising my children for the last nine years. I feel like I have been blessed to have had this opportunity to be home but I need to return towork. But even the thoughts of it makes me feel anxious.

I am a nurse. I used to think I was a good one when I worked. Now being home this last 9 years i have thought of and dwelled on every mistake I have ever made since nursing school. I am consumed with them. How could I have done that or how could I not done that, type thinking. Feeling like I am not good enough to go back into that kind of work.I keep telling myself just thoughts etc.

Between yesterday and today I wrote out my resume and cover letters for a two positions which I am interested in. I even contacted an old assocaite of mine, today, to ask her if she would be willing to be a professional reference for me. Unfortunately, I did not keep in contact with some old collegues from work and now I am struggling to come up with the name of another professional references.

I know it doesn't sound it from my post but I am really excited about going back to work even though I am having all this anxious/negative thinking. I keep telling myself that its no big deal it just anxiety float through it. But part of me is afraid that all my anxiety about not being good enough nurse and all the mistakes I have ever made as a nurse is going to start rearing its ugly head. Part of me just wants to forget the idea of going back to work but I am really commited to reclaiming my life and working on limitations.

So here goes. I am going to welcome all the anxiety, panic attacks, negative, what if , scary thinking. I plan on sending off my completed job application hopefully Monday am when I can find one more professional reference. I have two people in mind to ask.

Thanks for listening to my long winded ramblings. It really does help to talk to someone who understands what your going thorough. That's why I really enjoy coming on the forums because there is always someone who understands.

Take care and God Bless,

Hello BNA. I can relate to you. I am an ortho tech and have been for the past 15 years. I broke my leg 18 months ago, and have been disabled. I am at the point where it is time for me to go back to work. Being 55 in a a new state (Wisconsin) makes me very anxious that I am not good enough for any job. I have sent my resume to several offices without a reply. My expectations are killing me. I have to have a job as an ortho tech and make decent money. I don't know if it will happen, but I am also open to other job opportunities. I am making too much of a deal of what I should be able to expect as a career and what reality has for me. Fortunately I have a wonderful family who supports me. My goal now is to do the footwork and leave the rest to God. The economy is not stable. There are a lot of people in my situation and out of work. I have gone through hard times in the past and have survived. Who knows what opportunities are ahead of me. They are probably better than what I expect for myself. Hang in there, because I know the same is true for you.

i too am just considering going back to work, being home with my son for the last six years. good to know others are as anxious as well.

Thanks for your reply. It does help to know you are not the only one going through this. Expectations are a killer. Here's to good fortune without expectations!!!

Hello Pamelab it sounds like you have recovered well from your injury when you are considering going back to work. I know it can be hard especially when your in a new area but try and keep the expectations low.

I am also trying to keep my expectations low about going back to work. Instead about getting all worked up over it. I decided to break the whole process down into baby steps which has helped incrediably.

I spent one day working on my cover letters. One day working on my resume. One to two days researching job sites and one day to work on completing the job application process.

Baby stepping my way through really took the edge off the whole process. When I began to feel uneasy I took a break and practiced my skills. Surprisingly when I e-mailed the completed job packets I felt wow that was easier than I thought. Now everything is in God's hands. If nothing happens, I'll just repeat the process.

I know something will come along. It may not be my ideal job but at least I get the practice of preparing for it.

Keep in touch. Take care and God Bless.

Hello everyone I am finishing my 4th session tomorrow of the program but this is my first time posting on this forum. I have suffered with anxiety, I would say since I was a child and have had panic attacks, I've never been on meds, I've been seeing a Psychologist on and off for over 1 year, she's good but I haven't been able to overcome my anxiety and panic attacks, I stopped seeing her for awhile since I didn't have the money to pay for the sessions but I would say since about my 4th month of pregnancy on, I'm going to start my 7th month on Mon. I've been experiencing really bad anxiety and had panic attacks so I started seeing her again and the week of Dec. 08th I saw the informercial on this program and thought I've got to get it because there's no way in hell that I'm going to live like this through my pregnancy and what will I be feeling once the baby is born??? I got it 12/12 and started doing it 12/13//I'm still getting anxiety on and off but I haven't had a full blown panic attack like I was having almost on a daily basis so I do feel that it has helped me out, it's very time consuming, we've got to put a lot of work into it but I do believe the end results will be very rewarding, positive and life changing for all of us. I went to a child birthing class today all day and did experience anxiety but was able to not let it get out of control into a full blown panic attack so I was disappointed that I had anxiety through out the day but proud of myself that I didn't have a panic attack. I'm just scared about the delivery and if I'm going to be able to stay calm and relaxed instead of build my way up to a panic attack and something happening to me and the baby and/or embarrass myself in front of everyone. How did all of you cope and deal with pregancy and delivery with anxiety/panic??? Thanks any feed back will be helpful. I plan on being able to help others once I get through this program and have the skills.

God Bless To All

Hi. Thanks for your sharing. I am starting Session 5 tomorrow myself. I have had therapy and medications for anxiety and then trouble with blood pressure during pregnancy 20, 30 years ago. Breathing I think is the best part - especially the pregnancy time. Remembering to stop and clear the mind "I am quiet" at PEACE with all-that-is in my life. Thanks for sharing and hope that you can breathe and find peaceful days, happy days

Thanks Anna for replying to my post. I know with my continued dedication to the program I will have a healthy delivery and will be able to cope with everything else in my life as time goes on. I'm also continuing to see the therapist and have faith in God, going to Church etc...I wish you continued success with this program in your life also. Let me know how it's going for you. God Bless You, Cristy

I think that you have hit the key in my opinion to helping with trying to overcome the frustration that can come with anxiety. I too have turned to God as a strength in my life to lead my path where ever he may choose. For a control person such as I have been this is pretty scary stuff, because I have always wanted to know what was around the next curve and have become really good at controlling things so that I would know. To change how things are viewed and approched after so many years of programming is tough, but I keep telling myself that alone I can't, but with God's help there is nothing that can not be accomplished. God Bless all, Matt

Hey Matt,

First Thank You for replying to my post. I too am very faithful and the Lord has always been a part of my life!!! I am Blessed that I have a mother that has taught me about God ever since I was a child. I have distanced myself from him at times in my life especially when I was between my late teens to my 20s but he has always been there for me and as you said without God's help there's nothing that can't be accomplished!!! I Love and Adore him on a daily basis!!! I wish you the best of luck with this program. if you want you can send me a msg. privately if you want to talk in more detail about your story.

God Bless, Cristy