The phrase “mindset shift” has become about as overused as inspirational quotes on social media. Yet beneath such buzzwords lies something genuinely intriguing: our ability to renovate our mental architecture. Like redecorating your room or office, sometimes all it takes is moving a few pieces around to see the space differently.
Remember that friend who told you they count to ten when angry? They were onto something, though they didn’t need to dedicate quite so much time to the practice. Research suggests a mere three-second pause before responding to situations can lead to markedly different outcomes.
One study participant reported that this tiny gap helped her avoid sending several strongly-worded emails to her neighbour about their enthusiastically amateur drum practice. Whether you take your three seconds in a private office in a Melbourne coworking space, in the company bathroom, or behind a plant at the local café, it can make the difference between well-managed stress and a catastrophic meltdown.
Rather than labelling something as frustrating, try approaching it with genuine curiosity—like an anthropologist studying a peculiar cultural practice. In this way, that lengthy grocery store line could become a fascinating study in human behaviour, complete with insights into why someone always needs to price check an item when you’re in a rush.
Sometimes, doing less actually means accomplishing more. Try scheduling “nothing time”—15-minute pockets in your day when you deliberately avoid being productive. These moments often spark the kind of random insights that never seem to arrive during scheduled brainstorming sessions. One tech executive we know claims their best product idea came while watching a squirrel unsuccessfully attempt to open a supposedly squirrel-proof bird feeder.
Instead of listing the same things you’re grateful for each day (family, health, coffee), try finding gratitude in life’s minor annoyances. That paper cut? Thank it for reminding you of your body’s impressive healing abilities. The train delay? An unexpected opportunity to finish that podcast about the history of cheese-making.
When stuck in a mental rut, try describing your situation as if it were happening to someone else. Better yet, make that someone else a character from your favourite book or show. Would Ted Lasso view that missed promotion as a failure, or as setup for a particularly inspiring second-season story arc?
Rather than focusing on end goals, celebrate the small steps that usually go unnoticed. Did you finally reply to that email you’ve been putting off opening? That’s not procrastination finally ending—that’s proactive communication blossoming. Did you only do five minutes of that thirty-minute workout? That’s not falling short—that’s five minutes more movement than if you’d stayed on the couch.
These techniques aren’t about completely overhauling your personality or transforming into an enlightened being who never gets annoyed at slow Wi-Fi. They’re more like mental decoration hacks—small adjustments that can make your internal space more livable.
The beauty of these approaches lies in their flexibility. Like any good lifestyle trend, they can be adapted to fit your personal style. Maybe the three-second pause becomes a five-second dance break. Perhaps the gratitude remix turns into a stand-up comedy routine about your daily commute.
The goal isn’t perfection—it’s progress. And unlike that sourdough starter you abandoned in 2020, these practices don’t require daily feeding to stay alive. They’re there when you need them, ready to help you view your world through a slightly different lens.
Photo: Anthony Tran / Unsplash