Have you ever had one of those mornings when everything seems to go wrong? You overslept. You discovered you were out of coffee. There was more traffic than you expected, and you arrived late for a meeting. Then a misunderstanding with a coworker pushed you over the edge. Before you knew it, you declared, “That’s it. I’m having a bad day!”
But just because your day started that way doesn’t mean it has to end that way. You can start your day over at any time. To reset a bad day, pause, acknowledge what happened, and choose one positive action that helps you shift your focus. Read something inspiring, listen to music, call a supportive friend, or do something kind for someone else. You can begin again without waiting for tomorrow.
Don’t Let a Bad Moment Define Your Entire Day
The problem with declaring that you’re having a bad day is that you may start looking for evidence to prove yourself right. You spill something and think, Of course I did. A frustrating email arrives, and you say, See? I knew today was going to be terrible.
Before long, you’re stacking one negative experience on top of another. Even when something good happens, you might overlook it because you’ve already decided what kind of day you’re having.
In my keynote presentations for corporate and association audiences, I often say, There is no such thing as a bad day, only bad moments that people choose to nurse all day long.
Of course, some days bring real hardship. This reminder is about the everyday frustrations we sometimes allow to take over more of our day than they deserve. Traffic may have cost you twenty minutes. Does it also need to cost you your patience with the next person you meet?
How to Reset Your Mindset During a Difficult Day
Start by stopping. Take a breath and notice the story you’re telling yourself. Are you describing what happened, or are you predicting that everything else will go wrong, too?
Then change the sentence. Instead of saying, I’m having a bad day, try, I’ve had a frustrating morning, and I’m starting my day over right now.
You don’t need everything around you to change before you take that step. The traffic already happened. You can’t undo the missed alarm. But you still have a choice about how you approach your next conversation, your next task, and your next moment.
One of my favorite ways to make that shift is to change the input. When your thoughts keep circling around what went wrong, give yourself something positive to focus on.
Find Inspiration That Helps You Begin Again
That’s one reason I filled my new book, Front-Row Success, with positive, enlightening, inspiring stories. I want readers to have something they can turn to when they need encouragement, a different perspective, or a reminder of what’s possible in their personal and professional lives.
One story I love is about George Dawson, who went back to school and learned to read at 98 years old. He later shared his life story in Life Is So Good, coauthored with Richard Glaubman.
Think about that. At an age when many people would assume their opportunities to begin something new were behind them, George chose to learn.
If George Dawson could begin a new chapter at 98, we can give ourselves permission to begin again in the middle of a frustrating afternoon. His story reminds me that a fresh start doesn’t have to happen on anyone else’s schedule.
Simple Ways to Shift Your Perspective
Reading something inspiring is one option, but find what works for you. Play a favorite song that energizes you. Call a friend who helps you see beyond your current frustration. Step outside for a few minutes and give yourself a break from whatever has been consuming your attention.
You can also do something kind for someone without expecting anything in return. Offer encouragement. Help with a task. Tell someone you appreciate them. Sometimes being an usher for another person, helping them find their Front-Row seat, gives you a reason to move forward, too.
Choose one action you can take right now. You don’t need an elaborate plan to reset your day. You need a moment of awareness and a willingness to approach the next moment differently.
Why Your Mindset Matters at Work
When you carry a frustrating morning into every interaction, the people around you can end up receiving the effects of something they had nothing to do with. A coworker asks a reasonable question, and you respond impatiently. A small problem feels bigger than it is. A misunderstanding becomes harder to resolve.
Before your next meeting or conversation, ask yourself, “What am I bringing into this moment?”
Living and leading from the Front-Row includes taking responsibility for the attitude you bring to others. You can acknowledge that you’re frustrated and still choose to listen, communicate clearly, and give the next person your attention.
That’s a practical reset you can use whether you lead a team, serve customers, or simply want to finish your workday feeling better about how you showed up.
Your Front-Row Challenge: Start Your Day Over Right Now
The next time you hear yourself saying, “I’m having a bad day,” pause and change the sentence.
Say, “This day didn’t start the way I wanted it to, but I’m starting it over right now.”
Then find one source of positive input. Read a page. Play a song. Call a friend. Do something kind. Take one action that helps you shift your energy and perspective.
It doesn’t matter whether it’s 9:00 in the morning, 2:00 in the afternoon, or 7:00 at night. You still have an opportunity to decide how you want to approach the rest of your day.
Watch this week’s Front-Row Friday video for a little encouragement to begin again. And consider sharing it with someone who could use a fresh start today.
Don’t let one difficult moment send you to the balcony for the rest of the day. Take a breath, choose your next step, and move yourself back into the Front-Row.
Frequently Asked Questions About Resetting a Bad Day
Can you start your day over in the afternoon?
Yes. You can pause and choose a fresh approach at any time. A difficult morning doesn’t have to determine how you handle the afternoon or evening. Start with one positive action that helps you refocus.
What can I do when everything seems to be going wrong?
Separate what happened from what you expect to happen next. Acknowledge the frustrations, then focus on something you can influence, such as your next action, your response to someone, or the input you give your mind.
How can I reset my attitude before a meeting?
Take a brief pause before joining. Breathe, acknowledge your frustration, and decide how you want to show up. Remind yourself that the people in this meeting deserve your attention rather than the irritation left over from an earlier moment.
Does a mindset reset mean ignoring problems?
No. You can address a problem while choosing how you respond to it. Resetting your mindset means giving yourself room to take a constructive next step instead of allowing one frustration to define the rest of your day.
About Marilyn Sherman
Marilyn Sherman is a Hall of Fame motivational keynote speaker and author of Front-Row Success. She helps corporate and association audiences move out of the balcony and live and lead from the Front-Row with greater engagement, accountability, and purpose. Her weekly Front-Row Friday videos offer practical encouragement for personal growth and professional success.
