The End of the Day Podcast with Kari Watterson: Using Mindset Work to Live Your Best Life
The End of the Day Podcast is a mindset podcast for people who feel stuck in life but know they're made for more. Each week I explore different ways we hold ourselves back, and how mindset tools can help us work through our thoughts so we can start taking action and start living the lives we want.
The End of the Day Podcast with Kari Watterson: Using Mindset Work to Live Your Best Life
Ep. 79 - First, Let's Not Make Things Worse: A Surprisingly Powerful Tool to Stay Grounded In Tough Moments
We’ve all been there—those moments when life throws a curveball, and our first reaction is to spiral into frustration, stress, or self-blame. In this episode, we explore a simple but powerful mindset shift inspired by author Jon Acuff: “If you’re not sure what to do, start by deciding not to make things worse.”
This small but intentional choice can bring clarity, reduce overwhelm, and help us navigate challenges with more calm and control. We’ll discuss how to apply this mindset in everyday frustrations and heavier life moments, including:
- The power of pausing before reacting
- Using humor and levity to break negative thought loops
- How emotional regulation helps us make better decisions
- The difference between “Not making it worse” and choosing to “Steady” yourself in uncertain times
Tune in for practical insights on how to reset in difficult moments and reclaim your ability to respond intentionally—one step at a time.
Cited in this episode:
🎙 Jon Acuff’s podcast: All It Takes Is A Goal
📖 Jon Acuff’s books: Soundtracks, Your New Playlist, Start, Finish, All It Takes Is a Goal
🔗 More from Jon Acuff: jonacuff.com
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Intro/outro music by JMW
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Life isn't meant to feel so hard. See how your thinking is keeping you from the life you want. $39 coaching sessions. To book a call, visit KariWatterson.com.