My weekly emails are for you if you want a transformational SHOT OF POSITIVITY that makes you think, gets you laughing, and sparks a positive change. Start each week inspired.
Which wolf is winning in your life?
|
Reader, you're here! Thanks for opening this email. In 2022 I published my book, Show Up Positive. It's a simple playbook to increase the positive experiences in your life by choosing daily actions that foster positive behaviors in the world around you. It is a battle plan to feed the good wolf* inside you. *A grandfather describes to his grandson a battle between two wolves within oneself. In this metaphor for inner conflict, one wolf is kind and good, the other is mean and bad. The boy asks, "Which wolf wins?" The grandfather answers, "Whichever one you feed." For the past three years, I've been naming the inner wolf battles and showing people how to feed the good wolf. Reader, I have witnessed how easily our human nature results in thought cycles that feed the bad wolf:
Your bad wolf looks outside of you for gratification. The mantra of the bad wolf begins, "I'll be happy when..." The Good WolfYour good wolf focuses within because she understands that when you are centered and gratification flows from within you, you are the strongest, most resilient version of yourself. She knows the wisdom of asking, "What do I need right now?" and prioritizing it. One secret you should know from the science of happiness is that your good wolf feasts when you focus on what brings meaning to your life. It is too easy to fall into the trap of routine and obligation. It sounds like this, "(sigh), I have to..." "I have to" phrases are traps that feed your bad wolf, leading to obligation, frustration, and resentment. So Reader I want to offer you a simple reframe to shift from feeding your bad wolf to feeding your good wolf: "I Get To..." I have to stay late to finish this report becomes I get to honor myself by delivering this report on time, as promised I have to go to my family cookout tonight becomes I get to show my family how much I value them by spending time together tonight I have to start over becomes I get a second chance to apply what I learned the first time and do even better this time β Reader, hear me. I'm not promising that you will feel joyful just because you convert your "I have to" to an "I get to." It will, however, feel less sucky because now you are operating from a why that is bigger than obligation. And don't be surprised, as you start this practice, to hear your bad wolf saying, "You can't fool me, this is BS." If she's been well fed, she's not going to give up easily. So, stick with it for June. Make a real effort to convert your 'have' to a 'get', and then judge the results. I'm looking forward to hearing how it's going. β NOTE:This "meaning" practice is part of my Star Treatmentπ«5-point System which applies the latest insights from neuroscience and psychology to deliver LONG-TERM RETENTION: Retain the best people without the added cost of perks; COST SAVINGS: Retain institutional knowledge and reduce the expense of talent replacement; PERFORMANCE: Full discretionary effort from employees and resilience in the face of any challenge. β
β Subscribed to The Story I'm Telling Myself PodcastGive us a 5-star review and share an episode with a friend: Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube Musicβ β How to Leave a 5-star reviewβ β The Story Iβm Telling Myself is for anyone who wants to overcome the limitations of self-doubt and live a life of purpose and fulfillment. Through candid conversations, you'll discover:
Real-life stories of courage and resilience: Gain inspiration from everyday people who overcame their negative self-talk to live a life of purpose and fulfillment. Listen to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube Music.β |
βRita Ernst, Positivity Influencer
My weekly emails are for you if you want a transformational SHOT OF POSITIVITY that makes you think, gets you laughing, and sparks a positive change. Start each week inspired.
Reader, steal this and avoid the dreaded PIP. To protect their anonymity I'm going to call this client Acme Incorporated. They had an attendance problem that was quickly becoming a turnover problem. Workers were consistently arriving late or calling out at the last minute, which resulted in internal chaos as remaining staff scrambled to deliver services to the on-site clients each day. Every day felt like the team was short staffed creating extra stress for managers, workers, and clients....
Reader, last week I hit a mental low. One of my closest friends packed up her life and moved 15 hours away. Even though I know we will remain friends, I am feeling deeply sad to lose the spontaneous hangout in person opportunities. Her presence got me through one of the toughest times I have faced. She matters to me. So in this state of sadness, Miranda (my inner critic) decides it's the perfect time to call me out as completely inadequate, pointing to my failure to be further in my business...
Reader, I have a treat for you. Meet Beatrice. My daughter just sent me this picture, and it got me thinking that Bea has a lot in common with us. Reader, how would you describe her vibe? I see trust, love, curiosity, and readiness. She is a fun-loving kitten, about 12 weeks old, and needs the same things we do. Psychological safety: Bea is up for pets from anyone. She trusts that humans will be caring and fun playmates and quickly makes friends with new people. She smartly sheaths her front...