From Word Spy, today's coined-word of the day is “defensive pessimism”.
Defensive pessimism can be reduced to a three-step mental rehearsal. First, approach the anxiety-producing task with lowered expectations, certain that it will go badly. (Take, for example, public speaking, a common fear: commit yourself to the idea that your next speech will be a disaster.) Then, imagine in detail all the ways in which it will go awry. (You will lose your notes at the 11th hour, you will trip on the way to the podium, you will be pilloried by your colleagues.) Finally, map out ways to avert each catastrophe.
For strategic optimists, the sorts of people who like to psych themselves up for a challenge, this routine would produce more anxiety, not less. But for anxious people, Norem’s findings show that this unusual method can offer a sense of control, however limited, over uncomfortable circumstances.
—David Rakoff, “The Year in Ideas,“ The New York Times Magazine, December 9, 2001
Word Spy continues:
The “Norem” mentioned in the above citation is psychologist Julie K. Norem. In 2001 she published a book called The Positive Power of Negative Thinking that outlined the techniques and paradoxical benefits of defensive pessimism.
If you’re wondering whether such a strategy might work for you, Norem has a quiz you can take to see if you qualify as a defensive pessimist (I scored a 61, btw).