This is a theme I have posted about before, and talk about a lot, ie the two dimensional nature of success, the connection between the dimensions, and the true direction of the cause and effect. In this post, prompted by a TED video I have just watched (link at the end), I want to focus on the practical steps you can take to feel great, and therefore increase your chance of doing great, at work.
First a quick recap. We know that we literally think better when we are feeling good. Strong negative emotions (fear, anxiety, anger etc) diminish our capacity to think. They can of course help us to act, eg keep us going when we are exhausted or drive us to tackle something dangerous which clearer thinking might lead us to avoid. However, my assertion would be that in the world of business, especially at the more senior levels, thinking is more important than doing.
Unfortunately we are highly tuned to negative emotions - much more than positive. Our neuro-physiology is designed (by evolution) to be particularly sensitive to potential threats. And in our modern world we are constantly triggered by the negative inputs that are fed to us at work and in our wider personal life. So it's hard to feel good!
However, some people can stay less triggered than others, and here's the good news, we can all train our brains to be less triggered. Here is the magic (actually scientific) formula for training your brain. Create a GREAT daily routine:
G = Gratitude: Think of three good things that happened today, ie "count your blessings"
R = Re-framing: Deliberately choose to see positive possibilities from upsetting events
E = Exercise: Use it to stimulate the brain to produce the chemicals which make us feel good
A = Altruism: Do something out of compassion, eg buy a Big Issue tonight
T = Time Out (or In): Practice a mindfulness-based meditation that helps you regulate emotion
It's pretty simple. As you will probably realise, all these practices simply involve consciously choosing what to pay attention to. Practicing this literally changes the way our brain sees the world. It's a better place than we fear it is!
PS Here's the video - only 12 minutes: http://www.ted.com/talks/shawn_achor_the_happy_secret_to_better_work.html
