Every Hurdle Is a Small Victory

Here's a simple mind hack (or "reframe") that has been surprisingly useful to me:

I consider every hurdle, annoyance, or unexpected setback a small victory.

In other words, I try to turn every small "struggle" into a challenge.

If you have to carry something heavy, fix your posture and count it as an extra workout. I've done this lugging bags, pushing a stroller uphill, and walking instead of taking an Uber. When I had to skip two meals, I treated it as an intentional fasting practice — always with moderation and hydration. Waiting in line became a conscious breathing exercise. And when I missed a workout, I reframed it as the deload period I'd been putting off anyway.

The trick is preparation. Spend a few minutes learning some techniques to keep in your back pocket — boxed breathing, a short meditation, some stretching, fascia jumps, or bodyweight exercises you can do anywhere — and suddenly every traffic jam, waiting room, delayed flight, or slow afternoon becomes fair game.

source: Masantocreative, Unsplash+

Alternatively, always have an e-reader or audiobook ready, so you can turn those frustrating in-between moments into learning opportunities instead. Or prepare your phone — especially the home screen — to offer productive alternatives to doomscrolling (which will only make you more anxious and irritated). Audible for a biography or podcast, Duolingo for a language you've been meaning to pick up, Blinkist for a book summary, or even a chess or crossword app to keep your mind sharp.

And, when everything goes wrong, I call it "exercising my patience". It makes me stronger for the next time I have to face a small challenge, or at the very least reminds me to do some additional planning.

It's just a small psychological trick. But sometimes it's exactly what I need to keep your mood up when things don't go as planned.