Show gratitude. Gratitude is a simple but powerful thing.

One key factor in the downward spiral in our educational system is that there is too much stroking and too little real feedback.

You can't control the cards you're dealt, just how you play the hand.

I'm sorry. It's my fault. How do I make it right?

You just have to decide if you're a Tigger or an Eeyore.

Another way to be prepared is to think negatively. Yes, I'm a great optimist. but, when trying to make a decision, I often think of the worst case scenario. I call it 'the eaten by wolves factor.' If I do something, what's the most terrible thing that could happen? Would I be eaten by wolves? One thing that makes it possible to be an optimist, is if you have a contingency plan for when all hell breaks loose. There are a lot of things I don't worry about, because I have a plan in place if they do.

Better to fail spectacularly than do something mediocre.