Hey Full Potential Zoners,
Most of what feels personal— isn’t personal at all.
Is it how someone’s voice lands?
Maybe praise going to someone else?
Or not getting included at all?
Whatever might be, they can all hit hard— but your reaction decides what happens next.
Here’s what we do on the call:
We take what you already know
We pick one clear, simple idea
Then we build and launch a digital product live — together — in 30 minutes
You don’t need a plan, a product, or even an audience.
Just show up curious.
1,000+ people have launched live on the call.
Ready to be next?
Use my sheet to keep control— even when emotions try to take it.
Emotional control isn’t coldness, it’s clarity under pressure.
And clarity always leads better than impulse.
‘Don’t Take It Personally - How to Stay Calm, Clear, and in Control'.
Let’s dive in!
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4 Times Work Feels Personal—and What To Do Instead
1. You’re left out of a meeting you thought you should be in
Scenario: You open your calendar and notice a strategy meeting was held without you.
Your first thought: Why wasn’t I invited? Don’t they value my input?
Pause and reflect:
Don’t shoot off a message right away.
Reality check:
It might’ve been a smaller meeting or a fast decision, not a personal slight.
What to say:
“Hey, I saw the strategy meeting happened today. Just checking in—was there anything I should be aware of or looped into?”
It keeps the tone neutral, shows you’re engaged, and gives others a chance to clarify without feeling accused.
2. A coworker responds with a cold tone in a team chat
Scenario: You message a teammate with a question and they reply short, blunt, maybe even with a period. You immediately think: Are they mad at me?
Don’t fill in the blanks with your own story.
Assume context before character—maybe they’re rushed or distracted.
Give space instead of mirroring the cold tone.
What to say (if it continues or feels unclear):
“Hey, I might be overthinking it, but I wanted to check—are we all good? Just making sure nothing came across weird earlier.”
It names the feeling without making it heavy. You show care, not blame.
3. You get feedback during a team review that feels harsh
Scenario: You’ve worked hard, but your manager points out a mistake during a call. Your stomach drops. You start thinking: They don’t trust me anymore. I failed.
Catch the reaction before it spins. Breathe.
Reframe the story: Feedback = data, not a verdict.
Use it as a checkpoint, not a scorecard.
What to say (to yourself + team):
To yourself:
“This is a note on the work, not on who I am.”
To your manager (later, if needed):
“Thanks for the feedback earlier. I’d love to follow up and make sure I’m clear on what to shift for next time.”
It turns a hard moment into progress. You show maturity, not sensitivity.
4. Someone else gets public praise—you don’t
Scenario: In a team meeting, your colleague is praised for a project you also worked hard on. You smile on the outside but feel overlooked.
Notice the jealousy—don’t act on it.
Remind yourself of your part in the work.
Don’t chase credit—document your impact instead.
What to say (to your manager, in 1:1 or follow-up):
“Hey, I was really proud of how that project went. I focused a lot on the backend logistics—if you ever want me to walk through those results, I’m happy to.”
It’s not about asking for a gold star. It’s about staying visible without being bitter.
Most people stay stuck trying to make it perfect.
At creatyl, we do things differently:
Start with what you already know
Build a simple product in minutes
Start selling the same day — no fluff, no waiting
Workshops, templates, trainings, PDFs — if it’s in your head, we’ll help you turn it into something people want to buy.
You don’t need to be ready.
You just need a place to start.
Here's how you can make it real today:
Step 1: Choose the moment you’ll work on
Think about one moment recently when something felt personal:
A cold reply, being excluded, public feedback, or feeling judged.
Choose which part of the B.R.E.A.T.H.E. method you want to try today
That’s your focus for today. Just one word.
Step 2: Set your moment
Before the day starts, choose a time you’ll use your focus word.
It could be after a meeting, when replying to a tricky message, or during a 1:1.
Add a sticky note or set a reminder that says:
“Use [your word] today before I react.”
Step 3: Practice it once
When the moment comes, don’t rush.
Use your focus word in real life:
Balance: Ask yourself, “Is this about me—or just how I’m feeling right now?”
Reflect: Wait 10 seconds before replying or reacting.
Empathize: Assume the other person is having a hard day too.
Anchor: Remind yourself of what you know is true.
Trust: Choose not to fill in the blanks with fear.
Humor: Say something light if the mood feels tense.
Exhale: Take one slow breath before your next move.
Step 4: Notice what changed
After you act, ask yourself:
Did that pause change the tone?
Did I feel more in control?
Did I stay in the moment instead of spiraling?
Write down one thing you noticed, or just mentally note the shift.
Step 5: End your day with one sentence
Before you finish your day, write or say one of these:
“Today I stayed in control by using [word] when it mattered.”
or
“Next time I feel triggered, I’ll remember to [word].”
AI Prompt: “Act as a calm communication coach. Help me create a simple daily plan for practicing the “Don’t Take It Personally” challenge based on today’s focus.
My Focus Word: [Insert one — Balance, Reflect, Empathize, Anchor, Trust, Humor, or Exhale]
Situation I Want To Work On: [Briefly describe a real or recent situation that felt personal, e.g., “My coworker gave short feedback in a meeting and it bothered me.”]
Provide:
A short morning plan (how I can prepare my mindset before the situation happens)
A simple midday practice (what I can do in the moment to stay calm and clear)
An evening reflection (how to review what I learned and what changed)
3 example phrases or actions I can use to respond thoughtfully instead of reacting emotionally
1 short reminder sentence I can repeat to myself during the day to stay centered
Keep it practical, short, and easy to follow so I can use it during my real workday. Use calm and clear language that feels supportive, not robotic.”
Not everything that feels personal is a personal attack.
A short reply could come from stress, not disrespect.
A missed invite could be a miss, not a message.
A hard comment could be feedback, not rejection.
Your brain writes fast stories when it wants to protect you.
You get to rewrite them once you know they’re just stories.
Until next time and with lots of love,
Justin
This Week’s Growth Recommendations
Book To Read:
“The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz (see it here)
TED Talk to Watch:
“Cultivating Unconditional Self‑Worth" by Adia Gooden (see it here)
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