Think about video games where you choose easy or hard mode. Most of us expect easy mode in real life, so when things get tough, it feels like defeat.

The mindset shift: Expect hard mode from the start. Challenges feel normal, and you handle them with calm instead of panic.

Courage Reps - your daily practice:

1. Each morning, list the difficult things you have been avoiding
2. Tackle one first thing to build momentum
3. Ask yourself: 'What problem do I wish someone else would solve for me?' That is your list.

Visceral Drafting - expose your real thinking:

• Take a blank page and write everything you know about a problem, no references
• Share it with someone
• Then challenge your own draft by asking what you might have missed

Bonus: What you eat directly affects how clearly you think. Stable blood sugar equals sharp thinking. Taking care of your body is part of being a strong leader.