From the Inspirational Thought Unit
Do you ever find yourself playing the What If? game? It's a horrible game where you fantasize about the paths in life you didn't take. You ask yourself questions like:
"What if I had chosen a different major?"
"What if I had asked so-and-so out on a date?"
"What if I had started a youtube channel in 2009 instead of 2023?"
The problem with this is you get caught up in thinking patterns that aren't healthy for you, and ultimately waste your creative energy on something that won't benefit you.
I stumbled on a substack post by screenwriter John August where he suggests new rules for the "What If? Game:
Only ask What If? questions about the future. What If you now devoted yourself full-time to writing? Or, What If you stopped carrying this torch for screenwriting, and pursued something else you enjoyed? Which would make you happier?
Only think about the person you are today. A 20-year old has different options and challenges than a 49-year old. How much of your current life would you be willing to up-end?
Recognize assumptions. Don’t assume you know where a path would take you. Rather, ask whether traveling that path would be interesting and fulfilling.
Now THIS is a What If? game worth playing.
Read the rest of his post here: LINK