Cultivate the 5 seeds of Big Potential says Shawn Achor.
Seed #4: Defend against Negative Influences:
Protect your System
STRATEGIES
1) Build a tidal moat: In the Middle Ages, a castle had a moat around it to discourage the approach of an enemy. A tidal moat was one that allowed high tide to fill it up at night when everyone was asleep and most vulnerable to an attack.
Today, our enemy is the non-stop barrage of noise around us. It prevents us from staying focused and moving towards our greater potential. We want to be aware of our vulnerable times: half hour before getting into bed and after getting out of bed till breakfast. Turn off all media, social feeds, news, emails, alerts, and notifications. They are the enemy that attack our safe castle. Music, reading or conversation is preferred to electronics. The moat of self-protection is ‘powering down’.
2) Build a mental stronghold: We prepare for a storm forecast by stocking up on water, non-perishables, gas, candles etc. Similarly, we need to stock up our ‘mental reserves’ for unexpected events that can catch us off guard. Build a positive mental grip.
Identify 3 things you are grateful for every day.
Identify 3 positive things that happened in the week.
Start a conversation with a pleasant greeting or affirmation. The first comment sets the tone for what is to follow and even predicts the outcome.
Meditate daily for even as little as 2 minutes. Employers who see its value encourage their employees to do the same.
3) Learn the art of mental Aikido: The Japanese martial art of Aikido is called “way of unifying with life energy”. Instead of fighting or blocking an attack, its energy is used to redirect the momentum away from you. Instead of seeing stress as a threat that has to be suppressed, see it as a challenge that can be redirected. Harness and use its energy as fuel to channel it positively.
When we stress, it is about something we care about deeply. Every source of stress is full of meaning. Identifying meaning is critical to figuring out how to respond to stress. Pay attention to your words, your attitude and who is in your corner for support. Reframe failure as an opportunity for growth. Kelly McGonigal in her TED talk “How to make Stress your friend” drives home the point.
4) Take a vacation from your problems: Americans are notorious for not taking enough vacations. It is a flawed work ethic that believes the longer and harder we work the better off we are. The reverse is true. When the brain is positive productivity increases by 31%. Taking time off helps us recharge and come back more focused, inspired and willing to do the job. It increases productivity. Take a deep breath, step away and walk away from your problems.
5) Pick your battles: Perseverance and grit are admirable virtues. Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result is exhausting and doomed to failure. It saps energy from you. Knowing when to let go is just as important. You can then move on to more attainable and fruitful goals.
Now that you know how to build your defenses against negativity, you can sleep well knowing your positivity is well protected.
“The greatest positive advantage in the modern economy is a positive and engaged brain,” says Achor.