The Only Thing That Will Get You Through Bad Situations

It's so bad, but you have to get through it.The only way out is psychological reframing.

The reality of how bad things are isn't going to change.

So if you can't change that, the only thing you can do is change your attitude.Military groups call it "embracing the suck."

It sucks. In fact, it sucks for all of us.

Once you can adjust to that, you can stop complaining and get going.

The faster you can adjust, the faster you can move forward.

So, it's not about avoiding the suck or alleviating the suck--that's often not feasible.The trick is to adjust quickly and make things happen anyway.

2 Minute Action

What's something that is going to suck no matter what you do?

• Working out.
• Dieting.
• Sales calls.
• Surgeries.
• Angry customers.
• Absent students.
• Car accidents.
• Being mugged.
• Having your business robbed.

These are just a few examples off the top of my head.I bet you can think of a few in your own life and take the next two minutes to mentally embrace the suck.Once you do, you will already be more resilient and ready for the next mission.

The Secret Benefit of Crappy Situations

I was boarding my plane and I couldn’t help it.There was nothing I could do.I got sick right there on the jetway.I took a knee and let everyone pass by me.They escorted me out and denied me for flying.

I feel awful.

My whole body hurts.

But do you know what I thought of immediately afterward?

I was thinking of how grateful I am that this isn’t that bad.I’m sick and I have to pay for an extra room/night—I’m not dying.I’m grateful for how my team executed our latest project.I’m grateful that Southwest treated me with respect and kindness and rescheduled my flight at no extra cost right on the spot.I even was reminded of Veteran’s Day and all the folks who have done the hard work so I can make the impact I want.I know this was a little weird to be thinking about while my stomach was turning in knots—but that’s just the point.

I haven’t always thought this way.

It’s been a habit of remembering that when things suck, it’s actually not that bad.There is a 0% return on investment for complaining.There is an immediate benefit of feeling gratitude.

2 Minute Action

What’s something that sucked recently?How might you zoom out or reframe this to see the big picture?Gratitude can happen by itself, for sure, but you can also make it happen with just a little more effort.The benefits are huge.Just think!You have the power to turn lots of crappy situations into positivity!