How to Restart Yourself Step-by-Step

About Brilliance Brief

Hi friends! If you’re new here, welcome! This is your go-to source for real-world, no-nonsense advice. Each week, I share actionable tips from my years in the C-Suite and now as an entrepreneur—helping you lead with confidence, grow your career, and live with purpose.

Today at a Glance

• Quick reset using the 5-Senses Method

• Reclaim your day with the 4 Quarters approach

• For big life changes, it may be time for a 90-day Monk Mode

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And before we dive in, a quick thanks to today’s sponsor: BetterMe

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[5-min read]

We’ve All Been There

Let me paint a picture for you:

It’s 2 p.m., and I’m sitting at my desk, staring at an endless to-do list.

I’ve already checked my email 5 times in 10 minutes, and now I’m scrolling LinkedIn because it feels easier than tackling what’s in front of me.

My brain is foggy, my patience is thin, and I know—I know—something needs to shift.

Sound familiar?

Whether it’s a fleeting moment of overwhelm, an entire day that feels “off,” or the sense that your life needs a major course correction, we all experience times when we need to hit the reset button.

The good news?

You don’t have to wait for a new year, a Monday, or even tomorrow to start over.

In this guide, I’ll share three types of resets: the quick mental reboot (minutes), the day-resetting strategy (hours), and the life-resetting overhaul (months).

All real-life tested by me 👋. Let’s break it down.

1️⃣ The Quick Reset: When You’re Overwhelmed in the Moment

We’ve all had those moments—your heart is racing, your thoughts are spiraling, and your stress is peaking.

When you need to calm the chaos right now, these techniques work wonders:

1. The 5-Senses Reset

This simple method grounds you by bringing attention to your senses:

• Breathe in slowly, counting to 5, hold it for a few seconds while focusing on something you see.

• Exhale slowly counting to 6, and then breathe in again—this time focusing on what you hear.

• Repeat this for what you feel, smell, and taste.

It’s like a mini-meditation, and it instantly pulls you out of your anxious thoughts and into the present moment.

2. The Mel Robbins “5-Second Rule”

This trick is pure magic for stopping procrastination or nervous indecision:

• The moment you feel stuck, count down: 5-4-3-2-1, GO.

• Use the countdown as a launchpad to take action—whether that’s opening your laptop, walking out the door, or making the call you’re dreading.

Action is the antidote to overwhelm.

3. The Mini Body Reset

When your brain feels like it’s in overdrive, your body needs to intervene. Try this:

• Stand up, close your eyes, and shake out your arms, legs, and head for 30 seconds.

It feels silly, but it’s a quick jolt to reset your nervous system and get out of your mental loop.

Sometimes, a few minutes of intentional effort are all it takes to turn your day around.

2️⃣ The Day Reset: Restarting Without Waiting for Tomorrow

Ever have one of those days?

Maybe you:

• Ate a doughnut when you swore you’d avoid sugar.

• Yelled at your kid in frustration.

• Procrastinated a big project until it felt like the whole day was ruined.

Here’s the secret: you don’t have to wait until tomorrow to start fresh.

The 4-Quarters Method (h/t Gretchen Rubin)

Imagine your day as four quarters:

1. Morning (6 a.m. - 12 p.m.)

2. Afternoon (12 p.m. - 3 p.m.)

3. Early evening (3 p.m. - 7 p.m.)

4. Night (7 p.m. - bedtime)

If one “quarter” goes sideways, don’t let it derail the entire day. Simply reset at the next quarter.

• Example 1: Ate something off-plan at breakfast? Reset at lunch with a nourishing meal instead of spiraling into “well, the day’s ruined.”

• Example 2: Snapped at a loved one? Apologize, make amends, and let it go instead of carrying guilt into the rest of the day.

• Example 3: Spent the morning procrastinating? Reclaim your afternoon by tackling one task—just one—to build momentum.

Every day is full of opportunities to start fresh. You don’t need a new sunrise; you just need a new mindset.

3️⃣ The Life Reset: A 90-Day Transformation

Sometimes, small resets aren’t enough.

You might feel stuck in your career, uninspired in your personal growth, or like you’re on autopilot. That’s when it’s time for a major reset.

Enter Monk Mode

Monk Mode is a 90-day commitment to extreme focus and intentional living. It’s about eliminating distractions, creating structure, and making massive progress in a short time.

Here’s how it works:

1. Set clear rules: Define your priorities and boundaries (e.g., no streaming or social media, daily exercise, consistent wake-up times). It’s your commitment to yourself.

2. Choose your growth focus: Pick 1–2 key areas of improvement (e.g., mastering a skill, building a habit, starting a business, or working on a big project).

3. Track your progress: Use a journal or app to stay accountable and reflect on your growth.

Monk Mode isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being intentional. You’ll be amazed at how much you can accomplish in just three months of discipline.

Environmental Shifts

Sometimes, resetting your life means changing your surroundings.

• Redesigning your workspace to feel inspiring and uncluttered.

• Taking a “workcation” to gain perspective.

• Or even relocating to a new city for a fresh start.

A change in environment could lead to the change in mindset you need.

The Reset Mindset: Questions to Keep You Grounded

To sustain your resets—big or small—ask yourself these questions regularly:

• “Am I living in alignment with my values?”

• “What’s one small action I can take today to feel proud of myself?”

• “If I stay on this path, where will I be in 6 months?”

Reflection is key to staying on track.

If there’s one thing we avoid revisiting, it’s failure. But failure is just feedback wrapped in a tougher package.

Reframe it:

• What didn’t go as planned? Why?

• What did I learn from it?

• What would I do differently next time?

Treat every “failure” like a mini-masterclass in resilience and self-awareness.

Final Thoughts: Start Your Reset Today

Whether you’re calming your mind in the moment, reclaiming a tough day, or overhauling your life, remember this: resets are always within reach.

A better day—or a better life—starts with one small decision.

What will you reset today?

Let me know—I’d love to hear how you’re hitting your reset button! 💡

Justin

P.S. If you found this helpful, share this newsletter with someone who could use a reset, too. Let’s inspire each other to keep growing, one reboot at a time. 😊