Why do our instincts conflict with what is best for us? We can explore this question every time we see, think, or hear the term counter-intuitive. For example, when driving a car that starts to slide on a slippery road, the intuitive response is to steer out of the slide, whereas the correct action is to steer into the slide, to reattach the surface to the wheels so that you can regain steering control. It takes some faith the first time, to steer into what you are heading for, instead of away from it. It doesn’t make any intuitive sense, but once you prove it to yourself, and start to understand the physics of why it works, you will be very confident in doing that counter-intuitive thing that actually solves the problem.

Bad news first! Why? Well bad news is an early warning system that provides immediate and prompt feedback. Do not ignore it. Try to get to the bottom of it as soon as possible so that something useful can be learned. Just because everything goes along smoothly, don’t assume that will always be the case. Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. It is only absence up until this point in time. It is not proof that something will not eventually blow up in your face or go completely awry as a result of some latent deficiency … or because something was missed or because a mistake was made that was not corrected at the right time (which is always now). Start seeking out bad news, not because you are a pessimist or love to wallow in self-pity and self-recrimination, but because you want to be the best that you can possibly be and want the best possible outcome for those who engage with you. The true warrior knows that the path to redemption is paved with error and omission, and that bad news heralds the winds of change, revision, and an upgrade to a better way of life or living!

True warriors love bad news, because in reality, bad news is good news. We just need to absorb the instruction (and the lesson) that the news has to offer, and make it so! We are delighted to learn the truth and be guided by it! Doing so, we will redouble our efforts in the right directions—the ones that are working—and celebrate the guidance. You are warriors. Embrace the bad news with gusto and rejoice in all the opportunities that are being presented to you. Of course, you could hide from it and see how the ostrich method works for you. It is certainly your choice, as is every step of the process. I recommend that you go ahead and become an expert in making lemonade from lemons. You will be surprised and amazed at the impact that this has on your success. So it has been written.