The other day when I saw someone I know, I asked, “How are you?” Her reply was, “AMAZING!” I could feel her enthusiasm, and it got me thinking about why most people’s response to this question is a quick, “Good. How are you?”
When someone asks you how you’re doing, do you even think about the question before responding? Or is, “fine” your knee jerk answer? Just thinking about responding with an, “AWESOME!” makes me feel happier than a typical, “ok” does.
If shifting our moods can be as simple as changing our responses (or even just thinking about a different response) to this everyday question, imagine the possibilities if we added a little gusto in other areas of our lives! I’m guessing most of you have heard the saying, “Fake it til you make it.” Now, I’m not suggesting you go around pretending to be something you’re not, but maybe a little dose of this could change the way you feel throughout your days.
An average person has something like 60,000 thoughts a day. It’s said that about 80% of those thoughts are negative. In addition, scientists also say that around 95% of those thoughts each day are repeats from the day before. That doesn’t leave a whole lot of room for new happy feeling thoughts, now does it?!
As humans, we have this silly tendency of forming habits. If you’ve lived your life like most people, you’re more than likely guilty of the above statistics. The good news is you can rewire your brain with a little practice.
New habits can be formed by making little tweaks in your life each day. When your boss isn’t responding the way you’d like, instead of complaining about it to everyone you know, try thinking of three reasons why you like your work. When the number on the scale is higher than you’d like, remind yourself that it is simply the numeric value of your gravitational pull; it’s not a measure of your self worth. When you hear yourself whining because you hate Mondays, the rain, and so-and-so who ruined your day because he or she couldn’t read your mind, stop and think about three things you are grateful for.
We create our own realities. Whether you want to call it quantum physics or the self fulfilling prophecy, there’s something to these concepts. What you give is what you get, so by simply changing your response to everyday happenings, you are choosing to improve the way you feel. Now that’s a habit worth having!
Like I often say, a belief is just a repeated thought. So today if you respond with, “FABULOUS!” every time someone asks you how you’re doing, there’s a very good chance you will start feeling more fabulous. Even typing it gives me a giddy feeling.
You have the power to shift your energy when you’re feeling down. It’s not always easy, but I can promise you, it feels a hell of a lot better than having daily pity parties for yourself. Focus on the good, let go of the things you can’t control, and be on your AMAZING way!
That’s it; that’s all I got for ya!
Happy day!
