Imagine going through life pressing invisible buttons each day. Some are blue, representing moments of joy, opportunity, and success. Others are red, representing setbacks, challenges, or unexpected hurdles. The catch? You never know what button you’ve pressed until you experience its outcome.
This concept, shared with me by my dad, beautifully illustrates how life unfolds. Most buttons we press will be blue — moments that reinforce our progress, make us feel valued, or provide opportunities for growth. But inevitably, we’ll press a red button now and then. The key to navigating life is recognizing the buttons for what they are: celebrate the blue ones, let the red ones pass, and keep moving forward.
🚦 Life’s Buttons: A Daily Practice
Think of life as a giant control panel filled with buttons. Each day, you’re pressing different ones — some intentionally, others without realizing it. You won’t always know if you’ve hit a red or blue button until it happens.
🔵 The Beauty of Blue Buttons
Blue buttons represent everything that makes life beautiful:
• A deep conversation with someone you love
• A new opportunity that excites you
• A personal win, big or small
• A moment of peace after chaos
These buttons aren’t always obvious, and sometimes we press them without realizing. But when you do notice a blue button moment, pause and feel gratitude.
Life’s not perfect, but those blue moments remind us that there’s always light, even on the darkest days. You’ll realize that blue buttons appear more often than you think.
🔴 The Reality of Red Buttons
Red buttons, though rare, are inevitable.
They show up as:
• A difficult conversation
• An unexpected rejection
• A loss or setback
Red buttons can feel frustrating, but here’s the truth: they’re temporary. . The biggest mistake we make is letting them consume us. Instead of dwelling on the red, treat it like a speed bump — slow down, adjust, and keep moving.
Because what’s on the other side of a red button? Another blue one.
💡 Psychology Behind the Red and Blue Buttons
This concept ties to a psychological principle called cognitive framing — the way we interpret events shapes our reality. For example, hitting a red button (like facing rejection) doesn’t inherently mean failure. It’s our interpretation of that moment that makes it feel like a loss.
Resilient individuals are better at reframing red button moments. They don’t see setbacks as a reflection of their worth but as part of life’s natural flow. They acknowledge the hurdle, process it, and move forward, knowing that another blue button is always around the corner.
💪 The Power of Response: Lessons from The 2 AM Code
In The 2 AM Code, I talk about self-efficacy — the belief that you can influence your life’s outcomes. This ties directly to the red and blue button theory. Every button you press is a choice or action you’ve taken. While you can’t always control the outcome, you can control your response.
When you hit a red button:
• Take a deep breath.
• Reframe it as a learning moment.
• Don’t let it define your progress.
When you hit a blue button:
• Pause.
• Celebrate the win.
• Let that success fuel your self-belief!
🚪 Fear and the Buttons We Press
Many people hesitate to press certain buttons because of fear. What if it’s a red one? What if it leads to failure or discomfort? The truth is, fear is often the gatekeeper of your next breakthrough.
The only way to discover more blue button moments is to keep pressing. Show up for yourself, take intentional actions, and trust that even the red buttons are part of your growth journey.
🌱 Final Thoughts
The buttons in life will keep coming, and you’ll press them without always knowing the outcome. But here’s the magic:
• Blue buttons represent growth, joy, and progress.
• Red buttons represent temporary hurdles and opportunities to learn.
The goal is not to avoid red buttons but to move through them with resilience and self-awareness. Every step you take, every button you press, brings you closer to becoming the person you’re meant to be.
So keep pressing. Keep moving. And trust that even the red moments are leading you toward something greater.
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