There is an English term:
FOMO = fear of missing out
Do you know that feeling—or that fear—that no matter what you do, you’re missing out on something?
➡️ That important client dinner—does that mean you’ll miss your daughter’s birthday?
➡️ That important team event—does that mean you’ll miss your best friend’s wedding?
➡️ If you pick up your CEO from the airport, does that mean you’ll miss the tennis tournament?
➡️ You set priorities, but does that mean you’ll miss out on life’s special moments?
This is so exhausting and frustrating!
It’s especially exhausting when you keep doubting your decision.
Make a decision and be clear about your reason for doing so:
❓ Is the client dinner important because you’ve been trying to win this client over for a long time?
❓ Is the team event a glimmer of hope that things will go better with your coworkers?
❓ Is the time in the car with the CEO a unique opportunity to speak with her alone?
Of course, decisions like these aren’t always easy, but the key here is that you make the decision and remember why you made it. And once you’ve made it, don’t second-guess your decision.
Otherwise, you’ll end up with that negative feeling of FOMO: the fear of missing out on something “better” or of not having made the right decision. But there’s no right or wrong here, because at the moment you made the decision, that was the right reason for you.
And then there’s also the option of trying out what it feels like to consciously choose to miss out on something:
JOMO = Joy of missing out!
The joy of doing without certain things.
Making a conscious decision to miss out on something.
Whether it’s a meeting with the CEO or a team event—and then resolutely choosing to prioritize and enjoy that special moment in life—a wedding or a tennis tournament.
Why am I so convinced of this? I’ve missed so many important events: my best friends’ weddings, my girlfriend’s funeral, weekend getaways, a big family reunion, and so much more… I wasn’t always confident or in the right frame of mind to simply set aside what felt like a work obligation and prioritize a moment in my life instead. And I do NOT regret it, because back then, given my situation, it was the right decision.
But now… I’m following my heart more, and I’m braver and more determined.
I choose to consciously and happily give up certain things so that I can enjoy other important things—things that are a priority for me. I do this for myself and for the things I want to remember at the end of my life.
What about you?
Do you feel FOMO, or are you already consciously trying out JOMO?
Bianca-Maria
And you’re welcome to book a no-obligation introductory session with me right away, and we’ll discuss how you can become more patient with yourself and others, work through all your expectations, and handle similar situations differently! I’d be happy to support you in this!