My 2026 Resolution: Asking Less “Why Is This So Hard?” and More “What Am I Missing?”

Last year, I learned something slightly uncomfortable about myself.

When things didn’t go smoothly, my first reaction was often,

“Why is this so complicated?”

“Why doesn’t this just work?”

Living and working in Japan challenged that mindset very quickly.

I realised that most of the time, things weren’t actually “hard.”

They were just different from what I was used to.

So my resolution for 2026 is simple:

assume less, ask more.

At work, this shows up in small ways.

Before pushing a solution, I try to understand how a hotel actually operates.

Before thinking a setup is “wrong,” I check if it’s just following a different logic.

Before sending a long explanation, I ask what part is unclear.

It sounds basic, but it changed how smoothly things move.

Japan has a way of humbling you.

The rules are there, but they’re rarely written in one place.

Understanding comes from observation, listening, and patience.

In 2026, I want to carry that mindset into my work.

Less frustration, more curiosity.

Less assuming, more learning.

I don’t expect everything to be easier this year.

But I do expect myself to handle complexity better.

And honestly, that feels like a good place to start.