Inevitably, things will happen. Unexpected things, unwanted things, and uncommon things. I see a lot of people around me taking responsibility for these things that are largely out of their control and beating themselves up over it.

To be clear, own your mistakes and face your failings. But just at the point despair and depression, take a breath, have a giggle, and reframe your situation by asking…

What is this an opportunity to do? To try, to learn, to test, or to experiment with?

It doesn’t free you from your situation but it creates a bridge of learning that can minimize the struggle and maximize the learning.