Mindset

When the trains stop running, or your car breaks down, or your flight is cancelled, you experience how resilient you are. If you are in an unexpected situation with other people—as I was yesterday when the trains here in Copenhagen stopped—you get to watch resilience in action.

Some people calmly make other plans. Others are overwhelmed and whining. The situation is the same, but the mindset is different.

Tell yourself now that next time you are in an unexpected and challenging situation, you will notice how you react. Setting up this behavior in advance makes it more likely that you are able to reflect on the situation while you are in it. Once you have the awareness, you can also change your reaction if it is not helpful.