I stumbled across this Ted Talk recently and I found it truly inspiring and dare I say life changing…
In it Shawn Achor, a Harvard graduate, describes how we can rewire our brains for positivity and in doing so increase our performance levels, brain power and lifespan.
A positive mindset results in:
23% greater energy in the midst of stress,
31% higher productivity,
37% higher levels of sales,
40% higher likelihood to be promoted,
and improved our longevity.
The good news is we can train our brain to happy and more positive just as we can train our bodies. The even better news is its not nearly as challenging as pumping iron or pedalling it out in a spin class. It’s just a matter of developing a few good habits in our daily routine. Achor summarises his recipe for success in the Ted Talk but has written many books on the power of positivity which are worth a read if you get the chance. Achor’s training plan is very simple… it nearly sounds like something you wise old granny would have taught you…
- 3 Gratitudes: List 3 things you were grateful for today.
- Random Act of Kindness: Compliment someone on on their outfit, applauded a colleague on a job well done, buy someone a cup of tea…
- 10 minutes of Exercise: Teach you brain that behaviour matters
- Keep a Journal: Take 2 minutes a day to write a few sentences on a positive experience, so that you can relive it
- Meditation: You don’t need to find your innerself but take 5 minutes in the day to sit in silence and allow the world to past you by.
Watching this Ted Talk was the best twelve and a half minutes I have spend this year. I have found a huge difference in my attitude to life and to others as well as my capacity to deal with the increased pressures of taking on a new role as well as the MBA this year.
Dawn Reilly
EMBA Midweek year 1