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Reaction control
We can’t control what happens, but we can control how we react
Nathan Kochera
August 26, 2025
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I just got back from a week long surf camp in Spain — it was sick!
I met a lot of nice people and surfed some awesome waves 🏄♂️🌊🏖️
But there was one thing missing most of the week… good weather.
I arrived on Saturday to ash raining down from cloudy skies, a result of nearby forest fires. The days that followed were scattered with rain and small waves.
It wasn’t until Thursday that the sun decided to show and the waves began to grow.
Objectively, the whether wasn’t great for surfing. Cold and overcast isn’t the best beach whether and you kind of need waves to surf.
But something one of the surf instructors said helped me shift my mindset:
Sometimes you get big waves and sometimes you get small ones. Either way, we will make the most of it and have fun.
We can’t control what the world gives us.
We can control how we react.
When life gets tough due to reasons outside of our control, a lot of us use it as an excuse for “bad” experiences.
Surf trip was horrible because of the weather.
The morning was ruined because the bus was late.
Friday wasn’t fun because my favorite restaurant was fully booked.
Instead of dwelling on the negatives, we should look for positives.
Because rain, overcast, and small waves didn’t seem ideal for surf camp.
But the rain helped with the forest fires.
The clouds helped with the heat at night.
And the small waves served as practice for the bigger waves that eventually arrived.
Most “bad” experiences are less about the experiences and more about how we react to the experiences.
React wisely.
🌱 This week’s step worth taking
If you start letting uncontrollable events ruin your day, change how you react to them.
The universe doesn’t give you bad days, it just gives you days. Your attitude determines whether or not they’re good.
📚 Worth the Read
How Ordinary People Become High Performers: 10 Key Habits by NidoDesigns — simple, daily habits that can boost your performance and help clear your mind.
🔄 Misstep of the week
When I’m with others, I push aside the things I actually want to do if they’re not interested. In the moment, it feels like I’m being considerate—but later it leaves me frustrated or resentful.
The truth is, no one’s stopping me but me. From now on, I’ll do what I want—if they join, great, if not, we’ll regroup after.
🙌 Step Spotlight
Emily has always been a big reader, but last year she didn’t read as much as she hoped.
Instead of letting the downward trend continue, she reversed it! This year she has kept up with her goal to read every day.
Congrats Emily! You’ll have to share some reading recommendations 📚
Want to be featured in next week’s Step Spotlight? Respond to this issue with a step you’ve taken that you’re proud of.
Until next week.
Step by step,
Nathan
P.S. I think this is one of the greatest surf interviews ever
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