What is right, right now?
What is right, right now?
What is one thing in your life that is right, right now?
Is your family healthy? Do you have someone that loves you? Are you safe?
Day-to-day life can be hard. There are stressors, to-do lists, chores, and more to do than time to do it. When we are in the middle of it all, it’s easy to find all of the things that are wrong.
My friend, Stephanie Dalfonzo, shared this simple question in a Facebook Live discussion. It’s a small question with a big impact.
Take your home for example. Whether you live in an apartment, house, or on a friend’s couch, it’s easy to look around and find all of the things that you wish were different. The walls might need to be painted, carpet might need to be replaced, or maybe you are dying to get rid of the wallpaper you’ve had since 1985. I’m sure you can look around and find quite a few things you wish were different.
But when was the last time you looked around your home or living space for the things that are right? Do you have electricity? Running water? A comfortable place to sit or sleep?
When we zero in on what’s right in our life, our brain begins to scan the environment for whatever is top of mind. If you’re looking for good stuff, you’re much more likely to find it. Doing this often will literally change the neural structure and function of your brain, offsetting your negativity bias. It also produces dopamine and serotonin which will lift your mood and calm your nervous system. You’ll find yourself in a positive spiral, rather than a negative one.
So, here is your assignment (should you choose to accept it):
Write the following on a piece of paper or a sticky note and display it somewhere you will see regularly (computer monitor, refrigerator, bathroom mirror, etc.): WHAT IS RIGHT, RIGHT NOW?
Since our brain cares more about our survival than our happiness, it is constantly looking around every corner to find what’s wrong. Unfortunately, we tend to find what we look for. This week, try looking for what’s right about your home, job, kids, family, and life.
Then next time you find something wrong, counter it by finding something that’s right.
Be intentional about finding the good in people and situations. Take notice of little moments, appreciate small gestures, and communicate your gratitude to others. The more specific, the better. Your brain becomes primed to start finding the good stuff out there, and there is plenty of it — even in difficult times.
You can double down on these positive emotions by taking time to savor them. Every time you sit in a positive moment, you embed it more deeply into the neural structure of your brain. Whether it is savoring the first sip of coffee, snuggling with your pups, sending a text of gratitude to a friend, or binging a new Netflix series, delicious moments are all around us if we just take time to experience them.
Leave a comment on social or send me an email at [email protected]. Let me know one thing in your life that is right, right now, and as always, share your delicious moments!
Stay brave and resilient,
Anne
And don’t forget…every single day for the month of November, practice at least one random act of kindness. We rarely know at the time what a huge impact a small act of kindness may have on someone’s day or even someone’s life. Let’s make kindness go viral this month!
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Anne breaks down the daily habits and skills needed to grow and cultivate RESILIENCE.
We can take back control of our energy, but FIRST, we have to be aware that we are running on fumes. Here are five subtle signs to look for before you burn out:
1️⃣ You Feel Snappy, Judgy, or Overly Critical (Even Over Dumb Stuff)
2️⃣ You’re Drowning in Decision Fatigue
3️⃣ You Feel Guilty for Resting (So You Never Fully Do)
4️⃣ You’re Scrolling to Numb, Not Connect
5️⃣ You Keep Thinking: ‘Once I get through this week…’
If even one of these sounded familiar, that’s your sign. You don’t need to wait for burnout to make a change. This is your permission slip to pause, reset, and breathe. 🎥
Speaking for one of my favorite clients @assaabloygroup to celebrate their best customers in Napa – savoring so many delicious moments! 🙏
Have you ever had to schmooze at a networking event? You find yourself in some awkward situation, fumbling around for the right words when you land on “How are you?” or “What do you do?” Two of the most boring, uninspiring, uninteresting questions in the world.
Fortunately, there is a conversation starter that works better, is way more interesting, and makes you more memorable. This question is so powerful that it activates the pleasure center of the brain.
Here’s the question: “Working on anything exciting lately?”
That simple conversation starter makes people light up and feel good. And the best part? When they leave the conversation, they connect you with that good feeling.
If you want more tips, tools, and strategies like this one, sign up for my weekly Resilience Reset newsletter! ⬇️ https://www.annegradygroup.com/strong/
A couple of fun facts about gratitude:
🙏 Just looking for something to be grateful for drops cortisol by 23%.
🙏 A gratitude practice trains your brain to search for and find more good stuff.
🙏 Gratitude improves mood, memory, focus, immune function, and heart health.
What will you look for this week? #mindfulmonday
Overthinking is just self-doubt pretending to be productive. Give yourself permission to take a nap.
📷: @newyorkermag
Always fun work with the team at @traviscentralad!
When you get your property appraisal, remember that the folks you call aren’t the ones raising your taxes. Be kind, be patient, and remember that we are all doing our best.
Anne Grady is a Speaker, Author, and #TruthBomb Dropper.
Anne shares practical strategies that can be applied both personally and professionally to improve relationships, navigate change, and triumph over adversity. And she’ll make you laugh while she does it. Anne is a two time TEDx speaker, and her work has been featured in numerous media outlets, including Harvard Business Review, Entrepreneur, Forbes, Fast Company and Inc. magazines, CNN, ESPN, and FOX Business. She is the best selling author of 52 Strategies for Life, Love & Work and Strong Enough: Choosing Courage, Resilience and Triumph.