“In your actions, don’t procrastinate. In your conversations, don’t confuse. In your thoughts, don’t wander. In your soul, don’t be passive or aggressive. In your life, don’t be all about business.” Marcus Aurelius, Meditations.

When you find yourself in a challenging situation, do the opposite of what your emotions are trying to make you do: don’t delay for fear of uncertainty, but plough ahead with an open and curious mind. Be clear about what you need, without allowing emotion to taint how you communicate that need to others. Be neutral and matter-of-fact with yourself and others, and things will be easier. But no-one said it would be ‘easy’.