A quick hack for feeling better at work
Rick Hanson, a neuropsychologist and Author of Hardwiring Happiness, says our brain has evolved over 600 million years similar to a spotlight and a vacuum cleaner. It scans for threats 24/7 and sucks up everything related to this and sticks it like glue into our brain. The good news is our brain is also designed to scan and hoover up positive and memorable experiences for future reference because satisfaction and connection are also core survival needs.
Every day, every single one of us experience a pile of positive experiences at work.
- Sending off an email
- Finishing a task
- Having a good outcome at a meeting
- A nice interaction with a colleague
But these experiences won’t do anything at a neurological level unless we find a way to get the brain shine its torch in that direction and suck them up as worth remembering. And the good news is this is quick and easy to do. All you have to do is
- Notice the experience (shine the torch on it)
- Breath it in, extend that good feeling, make it last inside you (hoover it in)
Doing this this can help you feel happier, more satisfied and connected. All good things to have in these crazy times.
References
Thich Nhat Hanh, The Miracle of Mindfulness: The classic guide. Penguin Random House. (1987).
Hanson Rick: Hardwiring Happiness. Crown Publishing Group. (2013)