Overwhelmed to Victorious: Mindset Rule 52 in Action with Gibbs from NCIS
- Bruce Schutter
- Sep 23
- 6 min read
We’ve all been there: you wake up ready to take on the day, and suddenly you’re hit with an avalanche of problems. A mountain of emails. A looming deadline. Or just the general chaos life loves to throw at us. The weight feels paralyzing. For many, the instinct is to hide, procrastinate, or simply surrender to the pile of challenges. I used to think that pushing off problems would somehow give me the room to manage them better. But here’s the hard truth: delaying action doesn’t solve anything!
That’s exactly what I was talking about when I bumped into Gibbs from NCIS. He stood there, coffee in hand, staring up at his own “mountain” of challenges — a stack of case files that looked taller than the Washington Monument. “Overwhelmed?” I asked. Gibbs just grunted, “Don’t even ask… I don’t even know where to start.”
And that’s where Mindset Rule 52 comes into play: “Only when you first acknowledge a challenge can you make progress.”
This rule is my Warrior weapon for navigating the chaos of daily life — and the emotions that try to take control.
The Warrior Solution
Now, Gibbs has been a fellow Warrior ever since he heard my story of how I struggled for 20 years with Bipolar, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorders and PTSD. Those battles left me feeling so powerless that I even tried to end my life. But in that dark time, I discovered something life-changing: mental health is the key to overcoming any challenge.
Armed with that knowledge, I created the Mental Health Warrior Program — a bold new SELF-HELP approach that puts YOU in charge! So you can take control of your emotions, triumph over challenges, and build the life you truly want.
A powerful part of the program is building a new mindset. These aren’t “rules” in the strict sense — they’re reminders of life’s truths that strengthen your thinking and guide your actions. Together, they help you face each day with Warrior strength.
The complete library can be found in my book, 53 Mindset Rules of a Mental Health Warrior — daily tools designed to keep you moving forward, no matter the obstacle. And it’s there you’ll find guidance like Mindset Rule 52: Only when you first acknowledge a challenge can you make progress.
Gibbs stared at his mountain of case files, then looked at me and asked, “Alright, give me three steps we can use with this rule to triumph over our challenges.”
Step 1: Bring the Challenge to Light
The first step sounds counterintuitive. When facing a mountain of problems, acknowledging them seems like the last thing you want to do. My natural inclination used to be ignoring the issues, hoping they’d magically disappear. Spoiler alert: they never do. Especially with mental health challenges, ignoring them only gives them more power and control over your day.
By acknowledging your challenges, you take the first step in regaining control. It’s like shining a flashlight under the bed. The monster might still be there, but at least now you can see it — and the fear starts to fade. The truth is, monsters under the bed and mental health challenges share one thing in common: they hate the spotlight.
The moment you bring them into the light, they lose their power and suddenly, you realize you’re the one back in charge.
Gibbs Takeaway:
Gibbs gave a short nod. “Makes sense. Reminds me of cold cases. I’ve had boxes of files gathering dust for years — unsolved, hanging over me. They only got heavier the longer I ignored them.
First thing I do when I’m ready to crack one open? Spread the files across my desk, shine the light on every piece of evidence. The case doesn’t solve itself — but by bringing it out of the dark, I finally get back control.
And nine times out of ten, that’s when the breakthrough comes.”
Step 2: One Challenge, Three Solutions
Once I’ve acknowledged the problems, I don’t try to tackle everything at once. That’s a recipe for overwhelm. Instead, I pick one challenge from the list and focus on it. Just one. Then, I grab a piece of paper and write down three specific actions I can take to move it forward.
This step is powerful because it flips my mindset from “I’m drowning in problems” to “I’ve got a clear path forward.” I don’t need a master plan for my entire life. I just need three doable steps for the one challenge I’m facing right now — turning vague stress into concrete action.
And here’s the bonus: once I’ve taken action on one challenge, the others don’t look as intimidating anymore. That mountain of problems starts breaking into smaller hills I know I can climb.
Gibbs’ Takeaway:
Gibbs nodded. “That’s exactly how I handle interrogations. If I sit there thinking about the whole case, it feels like a brick wall. But I’ll focus on one suspect and write down three questions that matter most. Simple, direct, no wasted time.
Once I’ve got those three, I know where to start — and nine times out of ten, that’s when the case cracks open.
It’s the same with life. You don’t need to solve everything at once — you just need to make the first move. That’s how you keep momentum, that’s how you stay in charge!”
Step 3: Action Wins the Battle
The third step is crucial: this is where the rubber meets the road. It’s not about having a perfect plan — it’s about taking the first action. Big or small, the only requirement is movement. Don’t get stuck staring at your list of actions. Just choose one and move. That single step shifts the balance of power back to you.
For example, when I’m overwhelmed by work emails, I don’t try to answer them all at once. I start by sorting them: urgent, important-but-not-urgent, and can wait. Suddenly the chaos has order and I know exactly where to start.
Or if personal issues are weighing me down, I’ll reach out to a friend for a quick conversation. That action not only gives me support, it reminds me I’m not alone.
Think of it this way: if the problems are monsters under the bed, then action is the flashlight. Shine it around, and suddenly those problems aren’t so scary anymore. And every time you cross something off the list, it’s a mini victory parade. Warriors don’t need confetti — progress itself is the celebration.
Gibbs’ Takeaway:
Gibbs gave a half-smile. “You’re right. On a tough case, sitting around thinking doesn’t get results. Action does.
Sometimes it’s just making the first phone call, knocking on one door, or chasing down a single lead. You move, you learn, you adjust. That’s how you solve cases — and that’s how you beat the mountain.”
Bonus: Stop Backsliding
Another critical aspect of this rule is how it keeps my mountain of challenges from getting so overwhelming that I start thinking about backsliding into old habits. For me, that was drinking. When life piled on, it was easy to slip into the dangerous mindset that alcohol — or any other form of escape — might give me a break.
Spoiler alert: it doesn’t. That’s not a relief strategy, that’s a booby trap disguised as a shortcut. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, shortcuts usually lead straight off a cliff!
Mindset Rule 52 gives me the kick in the b#tt I need to avoid that kind of thinking. By acknowledging my challenges and taking small, actionable steps, I stay on the Warrior path of living life without alcohol. The rule reminds me I don’t need a bottle to face my problems — I need a plan.
And honestly? Nothing feels better than knowing I can tackle my mountain head-on… and still remember what I said the next day.
Wrap Up
Life’s journey isn’t a straight line. It’s more like an enthusiastic toddler with a crayon, scribbling all over the place. It’s a dance of curves, spins and twists that add excitement and joy to our days. Sure, it can feel more like a rollercoaster at times, but hey — who doesn’t love a good thrill ride?
The key is this: challenges and progress are inseparable. When you acknowledge that truth, you redirect your energy from fighting the ride to enjoying it. Instead of stressing over every bump and curve, you’re laughing and throwing your hands in the air, knowing you’ve got the strength and tools to handle it.
Before Gibbs left, I handed him a copy of my book, 53 Mindset Rules of a Mental Health Warrior. “Pass it along,” I told him, “because these rules aren’t just for us — they’re for anyone who’s ready to stop hiding from life’s challenges and start taking action.”
Because as Mental Health Warriors, we don’t hide from problems or hand them the steering wheel.
So the next time you feel overwhelmed, don’t freeze. Don’t backslide. Grab your Warrior Tools, break out Mindset Rule 52 and take action. That is the Warrior path to triumph… and it’s yours too!
Bruce Schutter
Every day is a chance to choose strength — because YOU'RE IN CHARGE!
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