Have you ever found yourself asking, “What if?”
It’s a question that can go in two very different directions. For many, it becomes a spiral of doubt and fear—a way of imagining everything that could go wrong. “What if I fail? What if I’m not good enough? What if people judge me?” We all know this mental loop; it’s exhausting and, let’s be honest, it rarely leads to anything productive.
This is what I call What If Down. It’s the strategy of looking at possibilities but from a lens of limitation, imagining worst-case scenarios and reinforcing the belief that we’re stuck, incapable, or destined to fail. It’s fear masquerading as preparation. But here’s the thing—you don’t have to stay there.
What if we flipped it?
Let me introduce you to What If Up. This concept, introduced by Mindy Audlin in her book "What If It All Goes RIGHT?", is a way of using the same question to open up possibilities, shift perspectives, and invite creativity. Instead of dwelling on the negative, you ask yourself empowering questions that create excitement and hope. “What if this works out better than I imagined? What if I’m more capable than I realise? What if I take this one step, and it leads to something amazing?”
Doesn’t that feel lighter already?
Why We Default to *What If Down
If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in a What If Down cycle, you’re not alone. Our brains are hardwired to look for danger and prepare us for survival. It’s why we’re so good at imagining everything that might go wrong—we’re just trying to protect ourselves. But what’s meant to keep us safe often holds us back.
The good news is, you can retrain your brain to focus on opportunity instead of obstacles. What If Up is about reclaiming that question and turning it into a tool for growth, exploration, and joy.
The Power of What If Up
Here’s how it works:
- Start with curiosity. Instead of assuming the worst, ask yourself, “What if this goes well?” Allow yourself to imagine the best-case scenario.
- Take it further. Build on that first question. “What if I take this step and find I’m stronger than I thought? What if I meet someone who helps me move forward? What if this small action creates a ripple effect?”
- Feel the shift. Notice how asking these questions changes your energy. You’re no longer weighed down by fear; you’re opening up to possibility.
Real-Life Examples of What If Up
Let’s say you’re considering a career change, but your mind is flooded with doubts. The What If Down questions might sound like:
- What if I’m not qualified enough?
- What if I fail?
- What if people think I’m making a mistake?
Now let’s flip those:
- What if I already have everything I need to succeed?
- What if I learn as I go and grow in ways I can’t even imagine yet?
- What if this decision inspires someone else to follow their dreams too?
Do you see the difference? What If Up doesn’t guarantee a specific outcome, but it creates space for hope, optimism, and action. And that’s where change begins.
How to Practice What If Up
Here’s an exercise you can try right now:
- Write down a situation or decision you’re facing. Be honest about the doubts or fears that come up.
- List your What If Down thoughts. Get them all out on paper; don’t hold back.
- Flip each one into a What If Up question. Challenge yourself to imagine the best-case scenarios.
- Sit with those questions. Notice how they make you feel. Let the possibilities energise and inspire you.
What If You Embraced Possibility?
Life is full of uncertainty, but that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. When you choose to ask empowering What If Up questions, you shift your focus from fear to opportunity, from doubt to belief. It’s a practice, but one that can transform the way you approach challenges and dreams alike.
So, what if you tried this today? What if you opened yourself up to the possibility that your next step could be the one that changes everything? What if the best really is yet to come?
I’d love to hear how you plan to use What If Up in your own life? Let me know in the comments or send me a message. Let’s keep exploring the possibilities together.