I was looking forward to a 5 hour train journey yesterday. I love to work on trains, I'd booked a seat in a quiet carriage and then this happened ....

Instead of a fast commuter train with wifi, power and comfortable seats, we were squashed into a local train, standing room only, shoulder to shoulder and falling over luggage as the train swayed slowly forwards.

ARGGHHHH. You can imagine. Nerves were frayed.

Not only was this uncomfortable, I also wouldn't get my work done.

It was a familiar feeling. I travelled extensively in my corporate job and planes, trains and automobiles were part of my everyday experience.

Frustration and stress built with the inevitable delays, until I learnt a simple, but magic trick.

When things go wrong and you have no control over them, ask yourself 'what does this make possible?'

This small question frees you from the stress of the moment, stops you trying to solve or circumvent the problem and tunes your thoughts to a more creative place. I remembered this yesterday.

I knew I couldn't do my planned work, but I had a half finished audio book - and as I listened, I had a breakthrough in a problem I was trying to solve. Pen and paper came out! Try it next time - ask yourself 'what does this make possible?'