Reader I couldn't believe I was hearing these words:

There's an abnormal spot. I'm going to refer you to a specialist.

I try not to panic. I think of my sister's cancer diagnosis. Is it my turn?

I think of my Dad, subcumbing to cancer on his third battle. Is that my fate?

I get in my car. Anxiety has me in it's grasp. Cancer is the drumbeat pounding in my head.

Stop, I think. This isn't going to help. If it is cancer, stress won't help.

You feel fine. You play pickleball five times a week. Your in great health. It won't be anything.

Breath. You are healthy and strong. No need to assume the worst.

I release the anxiety. I choose to stay in the present. I calm my mind, for now.

We love to talk about the best moments of the year.

I'm sharing one of my scariest because those are the source of growth and resilience.

For me, this health scare was one of those. And yes I am fortunate because the spot was benign.

Still, as someone who always checked none to prescriptions and medical procedures, this was startling.

Here are the stories my unreliable narrator kept trying to play on repeat in my head:

• Cancer runs in your family; it is coming for you
• Imperfection make you less worthy of love
• Worrying about this in normal

I had to put my money where my mouth was and challenge the story I was telling myself.

I knew it would be weeks before I saw the specialist for the biopsy.

Did I want to spend those weeks in worry and fear? I knew the answer to that question, "Hell, no!"

I knew worrying, talking with friends and family about the what ifs was the choice many made.

On my drive home that day I decided resolutely that this deserved none of my time and attention.

I didn't have a diagosis, I had a question that was yet to be answered.

I committed that I would only give this space in my head once it was a diagnosis.

Until then, I wouldn't think or talk about it. I wouldn't give fear mind space.

When the thoughts came, I would swipe left.

By the time I was waiting the week required for the tests to come back, I was well practiced at swiping left.

Reader, here is the truth—life is full of uncertainties and what ifs.

Over two decades ago I studied the seven habits of highly effective people and learned this concept:

When you spend your one wild and precious life focused on your concerns fueled by fear and axiety, you steal your ability to create the life you want.

However, when you cultivate the practice of focusing on what you can control, your life becomes happier and more abundant.

So, Reader, as we greet 2026, my wish for you is that you challenge the stories you tell yourself so you can create the ones you want to live.

A great place to start is joining me for The Story I'm Telling Myself podcast every Tuesday at 11:30 New York time as a LIVE event on YouTube, LinkedIn, or Facebook and Thursday on Spotify, Apple, YouTube, and Audible.

I'm also looking for opportunities to bring this message to teams and organizations facing significant change or just looking to elevate performance. I'd love an introduction.

Cheers to you,

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