Simple. Because you let your imagination take over. Instead of thinking about reality, (the beautiful day on beach) your mind was focused on terrible images of what MIGHT happen when you return from your vacation. (Bill collectors, job hunting, etc.)

So what’s a better way to handle situation? Simply change ‘picture’ in your imagination. Just think of how you’d feel if, instead of dwelling on negative events that MIGHT happen in future, you thought of something positive instead.

And don’t forget, these negative events haven’t even happened yet! There could be a sudden turn of events in your favor and you would’ve ruined your vacation for nothing!

So instead of instantly reacting to an event, just change ‘picture’ in your imagination. You can do this by thinking of a good memory from your past that makes you feel warm and secure.

Now I know you may be thinking… “Yeah right, easier said than done”, but just think of benefit of doing this…

Let’s say you receive bad news from your boss, and instead of letting yourself get worked up over it, you think of your most cherished memory in life….the one that instantly makes you feel good. How can you feel miserable when you’re basically ‘reliving’ this comforting moment from your past? You can’t!

You will immediately start to feel very good. That is how powerful your imagination is…if you decide to use it RIGHT way.

Make no mistake: I’m not telling you to be completely oblivious of problems around you, but bottom line is this: you can only make rational decisions when you’re thinking CLEARLY. And how do you expect to think clearly when your imagination is filled with negative ‘pictures’ that create fear and anxiety?

When your head is clear, you can then begin to devise an action plan. If you lost your job, start by ‘sprucing up’ your resume. Do you know anyone who could help you out? What are your skills? Could you get a great referral from your previous employer? These steps can only be accomplished when you’re feeling good about yourself. If you’re not, it shows through. And in this case, it would make finding a job much more difficult.

What it all boils down to is this…if you let ups and downs of life control your thoughts and feelings, you’re destined for a very unhappy and unproductive life. But if you learn to CONTROL your negative thoughts by replacing them with more positive ones, it will be much easier to LEARN from your experiences, instead of dwelling on them.

Perhaps answer for you lies in what has gone before us and you are meant to learn from history and those who survived against great odds, there are many examples to be found in any library or bookstore, story after story of those who have survived major challenges in their own life.

Is there a story out there for you that will give more meaning to your life and help you to overcome obstacles facing you?

Take time out and search shelves in autobiography section and see if there’s a book about someone you admire and then read their story.

I’m sure in that book, you’ll find answers and clues on how you can improve your thinking and life, just start reading and when answers jump off page, as if they were written just for you, take action and start living a better life.

Garry Munro is a successful consultant, speaker, & coach in the area of self-development.

Based in Sydney Australia he runs his own business "Minds Alike" and works with small business owners and individuals assisting them to set & achieve their goals.