Instantly shift from frustration to action with this gratitude hack
A quick, impactful way to build confidence and take back control.
I was out delivering food for UberEats, walking up to one of the most beautiful homes I’d ever seen, with tears streaming down my face.
What was once a transitional gig that paid well working only a few hours a day, a few days a week - had turned into 7 days a week of long, grueling hours.
Sometimes as many as 14 in a day.
I’d keep telling myself it was only temporary. But I couldn’t shake feeling like I was in an endless cycle, with no exit in sight. The hopelessness was hitting me hard. Then one day, something shifted in me.
I could continue being a victim - or take back control.
I decided on the latter, making my car a mobile university, using those hours driving to educate myself on a way out.
Over the next two years, I soaked up every book, podcast, and course I could find - 300+ audiobooks, hours of Youtube video podcasts, tons of course modules.
At first, it felt like I wasn’t really getting anywhere.
I was learning a lot, but I wasn’t executing on anything.
What I didn’t know is that this time of what felt like “standing still” was actually laying the groundwork for exactly what I’d been praying for.
By the time I was done, I’d landed a full-time work-from-home gig where I could finally put all that knowledge to use - while also getting a daily hands-on education on how to execute this knowledge to build my own digital business as well.
Did you know that over 70% of people feel overwhelmed by stress, but those who practice gratitude are more likely to turn stress into action?
Crying like a crazy woman while delivering food to a stranger, I realized something: I could either let the grind break me, or use it to build something from the ashes of my life.
But to do this, I needed to reframe my situation with gratitude VS disdain.
Not the gratitude that’s simply about ‘feeling thankful’. The gratitude that allows you to flip your perspective and create good from the bad.
With every podcast, every book, and every course module, I wasn’t just passing the time - I was laying the groundwork for something bigger.
In those moments, gratitude wasn’t a feel-good sentiment.
It was a SUPERPOWER!
Here’s how to take back control and turn gratitude into a tool for getting unstuck using my G.R.I.T. Framework:
G – Ground Yourself: Take a moment to pause and acknowledge your situation without judgment. This isn’t about sugarcoating things - it’s about seeing your current reality for what it is. Stuck or not, this is your starting point.
R – Recognize Small Wins: Look for small victories. It might be a skill you’re learning, time you’re gaining, or even a new perspective. For me, those “small wins” were hours spent learning while driving, turning what felt like wasted time into a long-term investment.
I – Invest in Your Mindset: Shift from frustration to curiosity. What can you gain from this experience? What lessons can you take away? I stopped seeing my Uber hours as wasted time and started seeing them as hours I could use to get closer to my goal.
T – Take Action, No Matter How Small: Small steps build momentum. It doesn’t have to be a big leap. Take one small action toward your goal every day. Even if you can’t see the results right away, keep going. Eventually, these small actions add up.
Why This Works
When you shift from frustration to gratitude, you’re taking back control over your mindset and your future.
Instead of letting obstacles define your progress, you’re reframing them as part of the process, tools you can use to keep moving.
Gratitude here isn’t about putting on a happy face - it’s about acknowledging the situation you're in, and deciding it won’t have the last word on your life.
Here’s What You’ll Get Out of It
You’ll build confidence: Recognizing even small progress fuels your motivation.
You’ll be ready for new opportunities: The more you work on yourself, the better prepared you’ll be.
You’ll take back control: Gratitude turns frustration into forward motion, letting you reclaim your power.
“Gratitude is the superpower that turns frustration into forward motion.”
Your Turn
Take a hard look at your own situation.
Ask yourself: What’s one specific thing that’s going right, no matter how small?
Maybe it’s something you’ve learned, a routine you’ve stuck to, or a bit of progress you overlooked.
Once you’ve identified that one win, make it intentional. Here’s how:
Write it down and make it visible.
Set a small, tangible goal related to that win.
Take 5 minutes at the end of each day to acknowledge the progress.
Celebrate that progress every week.
Gratitude for small progress can shift you from feeling stuck, to feeling like you’re in control again - one step at a time.