Obstacles make us emotional, but the only way we’ll survive or overcome them is by keeping those emotions in check–if we can keep steady no matter what happens, no matter how much external events may fluctuate.
This is the skill that must be cultivated–freedom from disturbance and perturbation–so you can focus your energy exclusively on solving problems, rather than reacting to them.
We defeat emotions with logic, or at least that’s the idea. Logic is questions and statements. With enough of them, we get to root causes (which are always easier to deal with).
Subconsciously, we should be constantly asking ourselves this question: Do I need to freak out about this?
And the answer–like it is for astronauts, for soldiers, for doctors, and for so many other professionals–must be: No, because I practiced for this situation and I can control myself. Or, No, because I caught myself and I’m able to realize that that doesn’t add anything constructive.
* Source: The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday