It Takes What It Takes

"The past is unchangeable, but the next five minutes are yours to shape." This book reveals a mindset that empowers you to act with calmness and clarity, even in life’s most intense moments.

1. Neutral Thinking: Clarity in the Moment

Neutral thinking is a mindset that helps you remain calm and focused instead of letting emotions steer your actions. It requires acknowledging your emotions without letting them control your next step. Unlike positive or negative thinking, neutral thinking emphasizes present-focused action over past mistakes or future anxieties.

Russell Wilson, a successful NFL quarterback, uses neutral thinking during high-pressure games. Even after throwing interceptions in important moments, he refocuses on the next play by refusing to let frustration or fear dictate his decisions. This approach enables him to stay effective despite setbacks during intense games. Similarly, astronauts on Apollo 13 kept their emotions in check after a major oxygen tank failure. They focused on solving one problem at a time, which ultimately saved their mission and lives.

To practice neutral thinking, start by noticing your emotions without judgment. For example, when stressed, pause to take three deep breaths. This pause resets your mental state and lets you focus on what you can control. By choosing clarity over reactivity, neutral thinking helps you confront challenges with a balanced perspective.

Examples

• Russell Wilson resetting his focus after interceptions during playoff games.
• Apollo 13 astronauts calmly solving life-threatening problems step by step.
• Taking three deep breaths before responding to a heated situation to restore calm.

2. Planning: The Power of Preparation

Effective planning lays the foundation for success, helping you translate dreams into actionable steps. Russell Wilson rebuilt himself after a Super Bowl loss by creating a detailed off-season plan. He focused on mental and physical improvement by setting clear goals and sticking to them daily.

Having a plan doesn’t mean rigidity; life is unpredictable. Remaining adaptable ensures your plan evolves as circumstances change. For example, Fred Taylor created a recovery and fitness plan to reduce injuries during an NFL season, adapting based on his needs as the season progressed. Similarly, setting clear and actionable behaviors in everyday life helps you track progress. Instead of vague resolutions like “be healthier,” small steps such as “run every morning” are practical and achievable.

By blending vision with flexibility, a well-designed plan helps transform objectives into reality. Start with three behaviors that align with your goals and commit to them daily, adjusting as necessary. Structured planning bridges the gap between aspiration and achievement.

Examples

• Russell Wilson’s methodical offseason routine to improve his game.
• Fred Taylor’s adaptable fitness plan to stay injury-free.
• Setting daily habits like running or reading before bed to get closer to long-term goals.

3. Visualization: Seeing Success

Visualization isn’t just imagining success; it’s mentally rehearsing the process of achieving it. Olympic gold medalist Michael Johnson didn’t just envision winning; he visualized every sprint and movement. This mental preparation rooted him in belief and readiness.

Visualization builds confidence and reduces anxiety by mentally practicing scenarios in advance. For instance, before a big presentation, imagine not just delivering it flawlessly but also handling interruptions or questions smoothly. The brain treats vivid mental rehearsal as a real experience, making the actual task feel more familiar and less intimidating.

Access this tool by closing your eyes and replaying the steps of success in your mind. It’s not just about seeing the podium but also visualizing the climb, the stumbles along the way, and how you’ll adapt. Over time, visualization strengthens your ability to stay composed and effective under pressure.

Examples

• Michael Johnson rehearsing each sprint mentally before races.
• A speaker envisioning handling questions confidently during a big presentation.
• Mentally walking through a job interview to minimize nerves and increase readiness.

4. Controlling Negative Influences

The environment around you deeply impacts your mindset. Just like food nourishes the body, the information and interactions you consume feed the mind. A “negativity diet” involves cutting out toxic inputs from media, people, or habits.

For instance, Sarah transformed her work stress by avoiding excessive news and curating positive music playlists. This helped her feel calmer and more focused during the workday. Reducing exposure to negative voices – whether from colleagues or online platforms – allows space for neutral or uplifting influences. It’s not just about removing negative stimuli but also reinforcing positive, actionable habits.

Evaluate the influences in your daily life. Are they uplifting? If not, adjust them. You have the power to replace unhelpful inputs with those that energize and direct your mind toward progress.

Examples

• Sarah's two-week “negativity diet” reduced work stress and boosted focus.
• Limiting social media to avoid draining comparisons or negative stories.
• Choosing podcasts that inspire instead of news that overwhelms.

5. Adapting Under Pressure

Pressure can either crush or elevate you, depending on how you react. Embracing pressure as an opportunity, rather than avoiding it, builds resilience. Struggles can refine skills and prepare you for future challenges.

Athletes, astronauts, and professionals under scrutiny often share this perspective. For example, a tennis player facing match point under intense crowd pressure might focus tightly on their technique, blocking out distractions. Similarly, career setbacks like job loss often force innovative ways forward, leading to unexpected growth.

Instead of fearing tough situations, remind yourself they’re chapters in your journey. Each time you lean into pressure, you grow more capable for future hurdles.

Examples

• Tennis players focusing only on their serve during match point.
• Professionals finding creative ways to pivot after job loss.
• Viewing professional failures as practice for larger responsibilities.

6. Emotions: Signals, Not Drivers

Emotions are essential alerts but poor decision-makers. Neutral thinking involves respecting emotions without letting them take control. Being sad, nervous, or frustrated is natural, but actions should align with facts and goals rather than fleeting feelings.

When astronauts aboard Apollo 13 faced potential disaster, they acknowledged the gravity of their situation but focused on solving problems step by step. Similarly, acknowledging disappointment after a broken friendship can help you move forward instead of dwelling on bitterness.

Practicing neutrality doesn’t mean suppressing feelings. Instead, see emotions as indicators pointing toward deeper truths while ensuring logic and values guide your path forward.

Examples

• Apollo 13 astronauts working through emotions to focus on solutions.
• Using disappointment as motivation to rebuild a path forward.
• Pausing after an argument to respond thoughtfully, not impulsively.

7. Role Models: Learning Through Observation

Role models, whether famous figures or close family, impact who we aspire to be. Russell Wilson admired Derek Jeter for his consistency, and his father, Harrison Wilson III, for his resilience and integrity.

Small gestures from role models mold you, even if they’re unnoticed at the time. A teacher greeting a student daily may seem trivial, but it has lasting impacts. Similarly, family role models display daily courage and perseverance, reinforcing positive values.

Reflect on individuals whose qualities align with your vision for success. Actively learn from their habits, decisions, and ways of facing challenges.

Examples

• Russell Wilson learning leadership from Derek Jeter.
• The author’s father, Bob, teaching attitude’s role in shaping outcomes.
• A teacher unknowingly uplifting a student through consistent small gestures.

8. Choice: Power in Every Moment

The past cannot be undone, but each moment brings the opportunity to choose deliberately. Neutral thinking thrives on this principle: the next five minutes hold more possibility than the last.

Athletes failing during public spectacles, such as a missed game-winning shot, still take the next game-winning opportunity. Leaders facing backlash focus instead on crafting solutions for the future, not spiraling into regret.

Your life isn’t determined by prior failures. Each new moment is a fresh chance to steer toward clear, deliberate actions.

Examples

• Basketball players focusing on the next shot after a miss.
• Politician apologizes, then focuses on new policies after public mistakes.
• Individuals navigating past debts to rebuild financial stability.

9. Silent Leadership: Small Actions Matter

Leadership often speaks louder through action than words. Role models resonate not through lectures but by consistent behavior. The simple habit of saying “hello” or showing interest in others creates ripples, as seen when a teacher unintentionally uplifted a student through daily greetings.

These micro-actions teach others how to act and convey values. Your silent leadership can inspire others in ways you may never realize.

Examples

• A teacher’s greetings unexpectedly uplifting a student.
• Parents modeling persistence through actions, not just advice.
• A kind colleague creating a supportive workplace culture.

Takeaways

1. Practice neutral thinking by pausing to breathe and focusing on present decisions instead of past emotions.
2. Create a detailed, adaptable plan with three actionable steps toward your goal and reevaluate regularly.
3. Curate your environment by removing negative influences and surrounding yourself with positive ones.