Stepping into a new, challenging situation—new job, role, project, relationship—can feel stressful. A common response is to create a long mental list of the things we should and shouldn't do in order to be successful. Unfortunately, attempting to monitor and follow this long list only adds to the stress and does not help us show up at our best.

Instead, I want you to simplify your mental prework by considering two simple questions that will guide your next steps and set you up for success.