About this quote

We waste too much energy complaining about a bad economy, a difficult boss, or sudden bad luck. None of those external realities will bend to your wishes. Are you going to sit around waiting for the weather to improve, or will you buy a coat? Real power comes when you stop trying to fix the world and start fixing your own daily habits. Adjust your sails instead of shouting at the wind.

When to use it

• When a sudden shift in company policy cancels your main project. Instead of venting in the breakroom, you ask, 'Since they killed the project, how can I retool my skills to lead the new initiative?'
• When a local business owner sees raw material prices skyrocket due to inflation. They realize complaining won't lower the bills, so they redesign their supply chain and find cheaper local alternatives.
• After a knee injury puts a runner out of commission for six months. They stop wallowing and focus on swimming and upper-body strength training to stay fit during recovery.
• When a parent struggles to help their teenager with high school math. Instead of getting frustrated at the curriculum, the parent spends thirty minutes every evening learning the concepts alongside their child.