Sometimes it seems it’s impossible to have a good day. It gets to the point where the whole world seems to be against you. You may want to call the day done, but there are ways to improve your day.
5 Steps to Have a Good Day
These steps are from Caroline Webb author of How to Have a Good Day: Harness the Power of Behavioral Science to Transform Your Working Life. While these are geared more to working people, you can use them while working, while being retired, or in any other situation.
Webb’s definition of a good day doesn’t include a day free of distractions, stresses, or challenges. It’s when you can say yes to these 3 questions:
- Did you spend your time and attention on things that matter?
- Do you feel that you did a good job and had the support of others?
- Did the day leave you feeling more energized than depleted?
1. Set Intentions for Your Day
Have you noticed that when you are shopping, everything can catch your attention? A short trip to Target suddenly takes hours? This is because your brain can only consciously perceive part of what’s going on around you at all times. You notice whatever matches things that are already on your mind.
By setting your intentions for looking for positive things for the day, you will see more positive than negative. If you are more focused on negative, then everything will seem much worse than it is. Your day will doomed from the start.
2. Practice Distancing
No matter how much of a positive outlook you have, things happen. It can be hard to not let it bring you down. Distancing is a simple technique that helps gain perspective when things go wrong.
There are a 2 different techniques to use. First, ask yourself “What will I think about this a month or a year from now?” It’s a pretty powerful question that can help shift your thinking when you are frustrated.
The other option is to pretend you are advising a friend. It’s usually is easier to help a friend solve a problem than your own. Even if it’s the same problem. So ask yourself, “What would I say if I were giving advice on this same situation to a friend?”
3. Plan Downtime
Research shows that you make better decisions when you give your brain a break. While that seems counterproductive, you will be more productive when you give yourself small breaks.
Ideally, you will take a break every 90 minutes.
4. Do One Task at a Time
Research has shown that multitasking makes us less productive. When we juggle multiple projects we mess up more.
5. Practice Gratitude
Mindset is the key to a good day. When you make a point to see good, your brain will start to look for positive things instinctively.
At the beginning of each day, try to notice 3 good things. Then at the end of the day, do the same thing.
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