How to Shape Your Future by Changing Your Reaction
When something unexpected happens, the way you react is often more important than the event itself. How you interpret and handle a problem will shape what happens next, and even your long-term success.
Let me share a simple example. I’m walking down a quiet alley, near a coffee shop I like. Today, I’m not stopping for coffee—I’m just out for a walk, and I want to talk about how we interpret problems. Sometimes, when faced with a challenge, we react with stress. Other times, we stay calm, or maybe we hesitate and keep changing our minds. Some people struggle to make decisions, jumping from one choice to another, never really committing.
The key to moving forward is to make a decision and take action. If it works, great—stick with it. If not, don’t be stubborn. Switch to plan B. The important thing is to own your decision, see it through, and only change course if you’re sure it’s not working. There’s a difference between being persistent and being stubborn. If you keep running into a wall, it’s time to try another way.
It’s also important not to let your ego get in the way. If you realize your first decision was wrong, admit it, learn from it, and pivot. The worst thing you can do is nothing. Worry and stress solve nothing. I prefer to act, but I do it thoughtfully. I give myself five or ten minutes to decide, set a timer if I need to, and then move forward. The longer you wait, the more you stagnate. Doing nothing changes nothing.
Many people want a different life, but they don’t change anything about what they do. How can you expect a new outcome if you keep repeating the same actions? Change starts with action and decision-making.
Whenever something happens, ask yourself: What can I do differently? What will I change today? Learn from your mistakes, but also from your successes. People often say you should learn from your errors, but it’s just as important to study what went right. If you succeed at something, figure out why, and see if you can repeat it.
As I walk, I notice some birds called “bin chickens” here in Sydney. Usually, they hang around trash bins, but today they’re just relaxing by a fountain. It’s a reminder that even creatures with a reputation can surprise you.
Back to the point: learn from both your mistakes and your wins. The more you act, the more mistakes you’ll make, but that’s how you learn. Sometimes, though, a mistake in one situation won’t repeat in another, because context matters. The same goes for success. If you can repeat and build on your successes, that’s the real prize. Of course, what worked ten years ago might not work now—things change, people change, technology changes.
If you run a business, fall in love with the problem, not the solution. Solutions change as technology and circumstances shift, but the core problem often stays the same. Keep searching for better solutions as new tools become available, whether it’s AI, blockchain, or something else.
As I continue my walk in Sydney, I want to remind you: how you interpret and respond to daily events shapes your life. Stay aware of this, and you’ll find more clarity and happiness.
Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions. — Dalai Lama
The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing. — Henry Ford
Key Takeaways
- Your reaction to problems is more important than the problem itself.
- Make decisions, act, and don’t be afraid to change course if needed.
- Learn from both your mistakes and your successes.
- Doing nothing changes nothing—action is the first step to change.
- Fall in love with the problem, not the solution, because solutions evolve.
Reflection
- How do you usually react to unexpected events?
- Are you learning from your successes as well as your mistakes?
- What small action can you take today to move forward?
Pierre-Henry Soria
#Emotional Intelligence #Entrepreneurship #Mindset #Personal-Growth #Problem Solving #Resilience #Tech