Iterate until awesome.

Hey — when things get tricky, try thinking of problems like a video game level: you don’t have to beat it on the first try. I like to call that idea "Iterate until awesome." It means try something, see what happens, learn one small thing, and then try again. Short phrases can be like power-ups for your feelings; they’re simple to remember and they change how you act and how you feel. Say to yourself, "One step at a time," when you feel overwhelmed, and it can turn a mountain into a few manageable rocks. When you miss a shot or make a mistake, say, "I learned something," or "Not yet," instead of "I failed." Those tiny shifts give your brain permission to try again. If you’re angry or sad, try, "I notice this feeling," or "I’ll be kind to myself," then take a breath and name the emotion — naming it makes it smaller. When you’re stuck on homework or a project, say, "Let’s try a new way," or "What would one small change be?" and then change just one thing. When you want to quit, whisper, "One more attempt," or "I can ask for help," and see how often that one extra try makes a big difference. Use "I did my best for now" to celebrate effort even if the result isn’t perfect yet, and "This is hard for me, but I can learn" to keep calm and curious. Give yourself permission to pause with "I’ll take a break," and then come back with fresh eyes. When someone hurts you, say, "I need a minute," or "I don’t like that," to protect yourself without exploding. If you’re afraid, remind yourself, "Being brave is trying even when I’m scared," and remember that courage grows with practice. You can also help friends by saying, "Want to try together?" or "I’ve got your back," which makes the iterate-until-awesome idea something you do with others. Try turning these phrases into a tiny routine: before you start something hard, whisper, "Small steps," while you take a breath; after you try, say, "What did I learn?" and then pick one tiny change for next time. Over weeks and months, those small changes add up and your confidence grows just like your skill. Nobody becomes awesome instantly — awesome is the result of little tries, honest mistakes, quick fixes, and gentle patience. I’m not a doctor or a therapist, just someone cheering for you: practice these phrases, use them like tools, and remember that the path to getting better is full of trial and joyful improvement. Keep iterating, celebrate the tiny wins, and notice how great it feels when your small changes become big progress.