Broaden & Build

Barbara Fredrickson gives us core, promising truths about Positivity:

1       It feels good.

An uplifting moment of goodness, however fleeting and transient, is always welcome.  The ‘feel good chemical’ dopamine is being released in the brain and we are flooded with joy. 

Continue reading “Broaden & Build”

Build Strong Defenses II

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.

Continue reading “Build Strong Defenses II”

Build Strong Defenses

Cultivate the 5 seeds of Big Potential says Shawn Achor.  

Seed #4: Defend against Negative Influences: 
Protect your System

Having positive emotions at all times is neither realistic nor practical.  We need negative emotions like sadness, fear and anger to alert us that our ecosystem has been trespassed, or our rights have been violated. (*See reference below). They are a signal that change is needed; one that we have to initiate ourselves and not wait for the world to begin to do so.

Continue reading “Build Strong Defenses”

Become a Prism of Praise

Cultivate the 5 seeds of Big Potential says Shawn Achor.  

Seed #3: Enhance your Resources:
Create a prism of Praise and Recognition

Praise is a reward that boosts self-esteem, reinforces positive behavior and inspires progress.  When you receive praise, instead of absorbing it (hoarding), or brushing it off (deflecting), which many of us tend to do, Achor suggests we refract it (bend it like light through a prism) and watch the single, incoming ray of light as it passes through a prism spread outwards as many rays in diverse directions. In other words, pay it forward and praise others in your sphere who are deserving.

Continue reading “Become a Prism of Praise”