The Power & Danger of "What If"

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Happy Sunday & thank you for opening this week’s #TheLifeofJLOWE newsletter!

What if I stopped writing this newsletter? What if it grew exponentially?

What if I took that risk on myself? What if everything goes wrong? What if everything goes right?

The Power we give “What if”

Too often, we take the question of “What if?” and give it too much power. The hypotheticals cause paralysis.

I’ve been doing some introspection recently to understand what it is that makes me consistently ask the question “what if?” and also reflecting on whether or not I’m asking the right kind of “what if?“.

There’s a “what if?” that paralyzes you because you overthink and come up with all the reasons why not to do something, but there’s also the alternative of asking “what if” as an optimist. The amount of power and energy you give to either alternative determines the decision that you make in your life.

For me, it doesn’t mean not asking the question, but it means ensuring that I’m always asking myself both in a balanced way. If you fail to do that, you’ll end up overthinking yourself either into a rut or into an unrealistic version of reality.

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The Danger of “What If?”

The Danger of “What If?” — and the Power of Optimism

The danger isn’t in asking “What if?” itself — it’s in letting it control your story with fear and doubt. When “what if” becomes a source of worry, it traps you in hesitation and keeps you from moving forward.

But here’s the flip side: “What if?” can also be a powerful tool for optimism and growth. The same question that scares you can also inspire you.

Ask yourself:

• What if this actually works out better than I imagine?

• What if I surprise myself and succeed?

• What if this challenge opens a door I never expected?

That optimistic spin on “what if” can motivate you to take chances, explore possibilities, and expand your horizons.

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Balancing the Two

For me, it’s not about ignoring the scary “what ifs” — those are real and deserve attention. But it’s about balancing them with hopeful “what ifs” that push me toward action instead of paralysis.

If you only listen to the fearful “what if,” you’ll stay stuck. But if you also ask the optimistic “what if,” you invite new opportunities and growth.

Taking the Leap

Growth happens when you lean into uncertainty, even when “what if” makes you nervous. The question is: which “what if” will you give more power to?

So this week, I challenge you to notice your “what if” moments — and try flipping them into optimistic possibilities. Let your “what if” inspire you to take the leap instead of holding you back.

Conclusion

“What if” is a powerful question. It can either paralyze you with fear or propel you forward with hope. The choice is yours.

Next time you feel stuck, ask: Is this “what if” helping me grow, or keeping me small?

Because sometimes, the best “what if” is the one that changes everything.

Until next Sunday,
Justin