Here’s a hack that will help you and your team when you get stuck in “what if” scenarios and paralyzed by future problems that haven’t even happened yet.

Sound familiar? It’s anxiety creeping in – stealing our ability to make decisions right here, right now. But what if I told you there’s a simple shift you can make to flip the script?

Next time you or your team starts spiraling into “What if this happens?” or “What if we fail?” – try asking this one powerful question:

“What would make the problem better?”

That’s it. Simple, right? But here’s the magic. By prompting yourself and others to focus on what can be done “right now,” you pull everyone out of future fears and bring the conversation back to the present, where control lives. It’s like giving your mind permission to stop panicking and start problem-solving.

Why It Works

When you shift focus from the future to the present, you’re not just calming down the noise in your head – you’re giving yourself and your team the chance to do something.

Anxiety thrives on uncertainty, but action kills anxiety. It helps your team feel like they have control over their next steps, which fuels productivity and, ultimately, leads to solutions.

When Nike Focused on Solutions Instead of Fear

Take Nike for example. In 2020, like many companies, they faced a massive challenge when the global pandemic shut down stores and disrupted supply chains.

The uncertainty about the future could have paralyzed the leadership team. But instead of obsessing over what might happen if things didn’t improve, CEO John Donahoe and his team shifted their focus. They asked, “What can we do right now to make things better?”

Their answer? They doubled down on digital. Nike accelerated its online presence, rethought supply chain logistics, and even started virtual workout classes to keep their customer base engaged.

Their strategy paid off – according to Thomasnet and Digital Commerce 360, Nike’s digital sales skyrocketed by 75% in the fourth quarter of 2020, even as overall revenue suffered a hit due to store closures. By focusing on what they could control in the moment, Nike not only survived but thrived in an unpredictable environment 

.3 Big Takeaways for Leaders:

1. Present Action = Control: When you ground your team in present-day solutions, they immediately feel more empowered.

2. Break the Overthinking Cycle: Asking “What would make the problem better?” stops the brain from running away into worst-case scenarios.

3. Small Wins Build Momentum: Focusing on what can be done today leads to small victories, which snowball into bigger successes.

Reflective Questions for You & Your Team:

– When was the last time you or your team got stuck in a future-focused loop of anxiety? What was the outcome?

– How can you implement the “What would make the problem better?” question in your daily leadership practice?

– What small action could you take today that would improve a current challenge you’re facing?

Next Steps for Yourself and Your Team:

Start using this strategy during your next meeting. When someone brings up a potential problem or starts spinning out on future fears, stop the conversation. Literally pause, take a breath, and ask, “What would make this better right now?”

Notice how the conversation changes. You’ll see how solutions suddenly feel more possible, less daunting. Use this question as a tool to create a culture of action within your team. Over time, you’ll train your team to think differently – to act in the present instead of being paralyzed by the future.

Just like Nike, your team can focus on what they can control in the moment, leading to progress, no matter how small. And small steps taken today can lead to major wins tomorrow.