Ctrl - Alt - Del
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Hey friend, There’s no easy way to control your emotions. No switch to flip. No instant solution. It’s all practice. And the tricky part? What works for one person might not work for another. But I recently came across a simple analogy that makes emotional control click in a way most people can relate to. It’s the same process you use when you want to hard reset your computer. Control – Alt – Delete. A set of key commands that anyone from the 90s remembers all too well. Microsoft’s famous shortcut for deleting unwanted programs, clearing a frozen screen, or starting fresh. But what if you could use it for more than just your laptop? What if it was a mental framework—a way to reprogram your mind, reset your emotions, and take control of your outlook? Because if you can master the ability to reset, you unlock something most people never figure out. You stop being run by your emotions and start being the one running them. Here’s how: CTRL – Control Your Emotions When you’re emotionally reacting, nothing else works. Your brain isn’t processing logic—it’s colouring everything with the emotional story you’re telling yourself. So before anything, you need to take control of the reaction. • Deep breathing – Slows down your nervous system. • Self-talk – Ask: Is this really as bad as I think? • Reframing – What’s the lesson in this moment? • Social support – Sometimes, just talking to someone resets your perspective. Control the emotional surge, and you regain power over your response. ALT – Alter Your Mindset Once you’ve regained control, shift your perspective. Most stress comes from viewing something as a threat rather than a challenge. The setback isn’t the enemy—it’s an opportunity. An opportunity to: • Grow • Adapt • Show your values • Strengthen your character A situation that once felt overwhelming suddenly becomes a test you’re meant to face. DELETE – Remove Negativity When you control your emotions and alter your mindset, the final step is automatic—negativity loses its grip. The reaction you would have had? Gone. The downward spiral? Stopped. What replaces it? • Calmness. • Rational thinking. • A response that aligns with who you actually want to be. It’s simple, but not easy. Because this process isn’t just about handling stress better. It’s about something bigger: Changing how you experience life itself. Most people go through life reacting, not realising they’re stuck in old patterns—playing the same mental programs over and over. But the moment you step back and start choosing your reactions? It’s like putting on a new pair of glasses. Everything sharpens. You see things for what they really are. And for the first time, you realise—you were in control all along. h/t - Prof Adam Nicholls Quote I likedPay attention to how someone acts, not how they talk. Recommendation for youProtein pudding pots—likely in your local supermarket. They've become a problem for me. PodcastI have a podcast that helps you build a stronger mind to take on life. Like me, it's a work in progress. Subscribe to the podcast here. (p.s. If you can subscribe on Youtube that would be amazing.) I'll see you later, Lewis Try my Mindset app for sport here |
The Game Plan
Take on the next week with lessons, perspectives, or insights for your mindset.
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