When ABC’s political thriller Scandal first aired in 2012, lead actress Kerry Washington felt the pressure.
Much of the press focused on “the fact that this is the first time in almost 40 years that a Black woman has been the lead on a network drama,” Washington told Alex Cooper on a mid-March episode of the podcast “Call Her Daddy.”
The 49-year-old actress felt that if the show didn’t do well, “it could be another 40 years” before a woman of color would have a chance to lead the show again. Rather than cling to that pressure, Washington chose to refocus it.
“This was an exercise in trying to clarify what I can and cannot control,” she said. “I can’t control whether people turn on the TV and watch my show on Thursday night. What I can control is my work ethic of putting my heart into my work.”
The show lasted seven seasons and won a Peabody Award. Washington herself was nominated for multiple awards for her role as Olivia Pope, including an Emmy and a Golden Globe.
Still, experts agree that her attitude should be kept in mind even in high-stakes situations and everyday life.
Ask yourself. What did you do today to become mentally stronger?
“There are many things in life that you can’t control, like other people’s actions, unexpected setbacks, and the weather,” psychotherapist Amy Morin previously told CNBC Make It. But by focusing on what you can control, “you can shift your energy to solutions and keep improving.”
Her secret is to ask yourself one simple question every day. “What did I do today to become mentally stronger?” she said. That way, you can celebrate what you did right instead of thinking about what went wrong.
Psychotherapist Stephen Stosny also recommends trying out the Three Laws of Personal Power.
Focus on things you can improve, such as your emotional response to something. Think not about what went wrong in the past, but what you will do to change your behavior in the future. Think about the big picture and what you can do to resolve your current situation.
At the end of the day, the powers that be act in “your best interest in the long run,” Stosny previously told Make It. “You almost never do it with negative emotions.”
Want to lead with confidence and bring out the best in your team? Take CNBC’s new online course, How to Become an Exceptional Leader. Expert instructors share practical strategies to help you build trust, communicate clearly, and motivate others to do their best work. Sign up now and use coupon code EARLYBIRD to receive an initial discount of 25% off the regular course price of $127 (plus tax). Offer valid from March 16th to March 30th, 2026. Terms and conditions apply.
