So What? Just Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

Published: Thu, 07/26/18

Learning to ignore things is one of the great paths to inner peace.

— Robert J Sawyer

So what?
These two words have single-handedly kept my priorities straight, warn me of distractions and prevented me from wallowing in self-pity. There is just so much noise out there and so much temptation to veer off into the territory of the pointless, personally I need a mantra that is simple and effective.
My ‘So What’ philosophy is a necessary tool against these evils and allows me to focus on what is important and to ignore everything else. It would be much easier to do if we didn’t have to contend with our Lizard Brain. The LB is One of the three brain systems; it is primitive in function and concerns itself with your survival. It hasn’t evolved much from prehistoric times and rather than help us it can hurt. You feel the resistance from the Lizard Brain every time you want to create something new or do something unique.

So what.

Here are some instances of resistance trying to alter my focus with misinformation and how ’So What?’ helps me back on the path.

a) I’m looking at an authors phenomenal work rate and the creeping feeling of being inadequate starts blurring my reasoning
So what?
Nobody wins the comparison game, we are all unique in our own way and what is right for you won’t necessarily be good for me. Our circumstances will vary and so will our results, but I can still have the impact without doing exactly what someone else does.

b) The deadline for my novel has passed, and I’m getting edgy. I need to get it done.
So what?
Quality is important to me, so the story needs to be right. Just because I set a deadline doesn’t mean I’m going to forgo on story. If it’s late, it’s late. With that said, when it’s done, I won’t stress over minutia, I’ll ship it.

c) I’ve just read a novel, and it’s incredible in every way. How can I put pen to paper knowing my creative output will not match what my new favorite author has done.
So what?
I can learn from him, emulate his technique and improve upon it because it’s coming from my unique perspective. Nobody can express ideas the way I do, and I have a tribe of readers who appreciate that.

Patience.
Success takes time and needs to be viewed from the correct perspective to understand it. ‘So what’ gets me in the frame of mind of taking action and realizing sometimes failure is a first step but a necessary step. Setbacks happen, and they are apart of the scenery but not the focus of the whole journey. The So what question cuts through all the fluff and static and gets you to the heart of your challenge.
Focus on the meaningful things and don’t sweat the small stuff.

Hope this Helps

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff by Richard Carlson is a book of short, succinct, spiritual and savvy advice on how not to be overwhelmed by life. If you take Don't Sweat the Small Stuff everyday, its like a vitamin supplement that will build your immunity to the static we face day in and day out. Most of us need to recognise what is important in our lives Don't Sweat the Small Stuff is a perfect way to keep perspective in this crazy world.