More times than I’d like to admit, I have allowed a single negative incident affect my mindset and disrupt my entire day. It could be a conflict with another person, an internal struggle or just the challenges from everyday life. Instead, I allow an isolated occurrence lead to a “bad day.” It affects my work and my relationships. It robs me of my peace and joy.

I found myself frustrated and I let myself sink deeper into a funk. I needed to hit the reset button and salvage the hours left.

I’ve learned when a bad day starts to rear its ugly head, I no longer let it overtake me.

I started practicing what I refer to as: redeeming the day.

As soon as I feel negatively—whether from an internal or external source—I check my mindset. I acknowledge while I may be experiencing a bad moment, it doesn’t have to define my entire day.

I choose awareness, rather than reacting to the situation. And, it has changed the way I see the world and others around me.

It has made me more gracious and generous to those in my life. If I’m intentional about how I handle conflict it sets the tone for the rest of my day.

As men, we are particularly good at pushing through problems only to have those around us suffer.

So, here are a few tips to help you redeem your day.

1. Acknowledge that challenges will arise and it’s okay. That’s life.
2. Start your day by getting your mind focused. It’s the best way to prepare to handle the challenges ahead in a productive way. (See Meditation.)
3. If the negative situation involves another person, do what you can to rectify the situation.
4. Take a few minutes to cool off and regroup. If possible, create time for your favorite hobby or go for a walk. Find what helps you calm yourself and boost your mood.