When you catastrophize you focus only on the worst case scenario. This can also sow the seeds of a self-fulfilling prophecy. A method to place things in perspective and avoid catastrophizing is by going through a practical thought process promoting resiliency and reducing anxiety first look at what the worst case scenarios would possibly look like second identify what the best case scenario might be third consider the most likely or probable outcome Then focus your attention on the plant on the most probable case and develop your primary plan of action around that scenario.