Instead of aggressive pushback, powerful executives respond to criticism with invitations for meetings and speaking engagements. This charm offensive is a deliberate strategy to co-opt critics, making them less likely to speak their minds freely. Maintaining objectivity requires actively avoiding these relationships.
A powerful way to overcome the habit of feeling sorry for yourself is to implement a daily ritual that forces a perspective shift. For instance, looking at a photo of Otto Frank, who lost his family in the Holocaust, reframes personal frustrations as mere "inconveniences" rather than "problems." This practice systematically cultivates gratitude and mental toughness.
Sustainable success isn't about ignoring failure, but mastering a two-step recovery process. This "superpower" involves first allowing yourself to feel the sting of rejection (to "mourn"), and then consciously deciding to get back up and try again ("move on"). This reframes resilience as an active, emotionally aware practice rather than simple toughness.
History shows that being a presidential front-runner this far from an election is a poor indicator of success. Past leaders in the polls at this stage, like Rudy Giuliani or Fred Thompson, often failed to win, while lesser-known figures emerged later. The primary process itself is what forges the strongest candidate for the moment.