Taste Life Blog

A coaching client writes, “I talk with people at work who believe we are headed for gloom and doom.

I am not normally very political but have been caught up in the dealings on TV and all the political ads and can’t help but feel like the country is at a tipping point…I really want to feel at peace with myself, my family, my stability and my future but can’t help but feel some anxiety when I think about where I am and what the future may or may not hold.  I am curious to get your thoughts and see if I am in a funk or if I need to change things to improve my perspective on the future.”

You are not alone. I would guess many people are worried about doom and gloom these days. People don’t feel like they are in charge of their lives anymore. I also worry that Brett and Danielle will not be able to continue to live the life Gary and I have enjoyed with home ownership and affordable health care. Here are 3 practical ideas to dump the gloom and doom.

Attraction Action Steps

When I catch myself looking at what my future may NOT hold I work on flipping the switch from lack to abundance by using positive beliefs and the law of attraction. Rhonda Byrne’s 2006 self-help book, “The Secret,” made positive thinking very popular.  But the problem I often see is that positive thinking only works if actions go along with it. Did you ever notice the last six letters of the word attraction is the word action?  First, think about what do you want in your life?  You mentioned peace and stability.  What action steps can you take to be more in charge to feel peace and stability? Remember when you “use” attraction you must take action.

Use the Positivity Ratio

Dr. Barbara Frederickson discovered that to live a vibrant, stress resilient life we need to experience three positive emotions for every negative emotion.  The problem is 80% of Americans fall short of the ideal 3 to 1 positivity ratio. So when you are experiencing a negative thought think of three positives. Example: Often I get a frustrating email and ask myself what is good, what is right, what is beautiful? I find myself looking out my office window and noticing the burning bush that Gary trims and I am happy he trims the bushes and I don’t have to; which leads me to looking at the sky; which reminds me of being outside…and on and on. Take the 2 minute test and check out your positivity ratio and become more resilient to all the doom and gloom. Remember what you focus on gets bigger and bolder.

Learn Optimism

Optimists believe that their ability to influence events is much greater than it actually is. They generalize good outcomes most of the time. If they are playing dice, they believe they have greater control if they are the ones who are throwing the dice, even though the outcome is random. If pessimists roll good dice they would dismiss the outcome and think it was a coincidence. The great news is that optimism can be learned. An easy way to learn optimism is to count your blessings. Walk around your home and using all your senses notice what you are grateful for. Walk around your yard and do the same. Write down a list of what gives your life richness. Review these at the end of the day.

Hope these strategies help you see that you are in charge of your own little rich world devoid of doom and gloom…IF you think it so.

Would love to hear from you on our blog  – what do you do to energize yourself when you feel the doom and gloom of the world?