Life Events: Your Reaction Shapes Their Impact
Success and failure come in streaks – your response determines their length.
Stay Neutral During Success
Good things create positive momentum. People get over excited and lose focus during good times. Keep your normal habits during good times. The CEO of Microsoft, Satya Nadella, kept the same work ethic and decision making process during Microsoft’s record breaking quarters and tough times.
Reduce Event Impact By Distance
The weight we give to things affects our emotional state. Studies show people who stay emotionally distant from negative events recover 60% faster from setbacks. Practice seeing things from a third person perspective – instead of “I failed” think “The project had some things to learn from”.
Turn Setbacks Into Growth
Tough times have hidden opportunities. Warren Buffett bought his first shares of Berkshire Hathaway during a market downturn. Break down tough situations into action items. List three specific things to do from each setback.
Stay Consistent
Your daily habits determine streak length. Use apps like Atomic Habits to track your habits. Wake up at the same time, do your exercise routine, work at the same time regardless of external circumstances.
Accept Cycles
Life is cycles of ups and downs. Detach from outcomes by seeing them as temporary states. Focus on your response not the situation itself. Take small steps not big leaps during good and tough times.
