After an Olympic loss, White realized his problem wasn't physical skill but a lack of motivation. He fixed his life outside of snowboarding—relationships and personal fulfillment—to reignite his competitive fire and win again.

The human brain is wired to enjoy solving challenges. Asking "What puzzles would you like to solve?" sparks passion and ownership. In contrast, asking "What are your goals?" often elicits a feeling of obligation and a list of burdensome tasks, draining the work of its inherent meaning and excitement.

By mentally shifting blame for a last-second strategy change to his coach, Shaun White adopted a "who cares" attitude. This released the pressure he was feeling, allowing him to relax and execute a perfect run, showing that less intense focus can be beneficial.

Before her final race, injured and facing immense pressure, Lindsey Vonn’s 96-year-old coach offered a powerful reframe: "What is 60 seconds in your whole life?" This perspective minimized the moment's weight, freeing her to compete without fear and win a medal.

Yang made running for president feel manageable by framing it as a two-year, superhuman effort, similar to a startup sprint. This contrasts with the indefinite commitment of building a company, making the monumental task seem less daunting to an entrepreneurial mindset.

Reframe a new goal to align with a person's existing identity and skills. Neuroscientist Emily Falk was convinced to take up running when her brother framed it as a task for academics, who excel at planning and long-term work. This shifted the activity from a foreign physical challenge to something that leveraged her pre-existing strengths, making it more appealing.

Our brains remember experiences based on their peak moments and their endings. To build motivation for a difficult activity, like a hard workout, intentionally tack on a more pleasant activity at the very end. This makes the entire memory more positive and increases your likelihood of repeating it.

While discipline is essential, recovering from traumatic injury is powerfully accelerated by an external, high-stakes goal. The pressure of preparing for a film with Jason Statham provided a tangible target that dragged Bugsy Malone through painful rehab.

After failing to medal at the Sochi Olympics, White intentionally decided to make the loss a positive catalyst. This mindset shift prompted him to rebuild his life, team, and motivation, ultimately leading to his next gold medal.