Decide whether current challenges will make you bitter or better, understanding that your internal condition, not external circumstances, determines your outcome.
Clearly articulate your mission in life to anchor yourself and guide your choices, helping you choose how to ‘be’ in any given situation.
Instead of fixating on past pain or fearing negative future projections, get very clear about the positive future you want to create, like Dr. King’s ‘dream’.
In the present moment, act as a ‘stand’ for your desired future state; this can summon internal resources, change your brain chemistry, and inspire others.
Practice empathy, kindness, and open-mindedness not to change others, but to prevent external acrimony and hatred from changing you into what you are fighting against.
Make grace and gratitude a continuous practice, as these are essential for maintaining a positive internal state.
Actively choose how long your breath is and maintain an upright posture with shoulders back, as these physical actions signal strength to your mind and change your perception.
Recognize that your physical self and external roles are not your true identity, as you are a soul here to learn and be useful, which helps reduce anxiety about criticism or ‘cancellation’.
Understand that criticism and disagreement are normal in a democracy and are not equivalent to being ‘canceled,’ which helps alleviate anxiety.
Use a mental exercise to identify and ‘box up’ thoughts about how situations occur for you (e.g., perceived slights) and how you occur for yourself (e.g., unpreparedness), to clear ego-driven distractions.
In collaborative or public settings, focus on the specific ’note’ you want to sound and the unique contribution you can make, rather than obsessing over ego-driven concerns like airtime or seating.
After stating your views, genuinely try to listen and be present to what others are saying, especially those with opposing viewpoints, without an ‘already knowing mind’ or the intent to bat them down.
Use your platform to demonstrate humanity, vulnerability, and a willingness to learn, as being ‘caught in the act of learning’ is the healthiest way to grow and use your influence.
View bad or painful times as opportunities for growth and transformation, understanding that ’no pressure, no diamonds’ and you will be better because of how you dealt with the pain.
Be aware of your core values, even on days you fall short, as knowing them provides a framework for self-improvement and guidance.
Actively engage in thinking more about the future, rather than solely fixating on the past, to guide your actions towards desired outcomes.
Acknowledge past pain but don’t let it have the last word; instead, use the struggles of ancestors as motivation for freedom and progress, understanding they suffered so you could be free.
When facing challenges, consciously choose love as the guiding principle, as it is the opposite of fear and is more correlated with success.