Tag Archives: resiliency

The Happiness Advantage

The Happiness Advantage: The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology That Fuel Success and Performance, by Shawn Achor, Random House Publishers, New York, New York. (2010)

I found this book fascinating because it clearly shakes up our old cultural beliefs that first we need to find external “successes” before we will find “happiness”. Achor takes us along his research path – starting first with Harvard University freshman – and then into the wealth of studies in positive psychology over the last several years. I’m convinced! My time and energy is best spent on ensuring that I maximize my positive emotions to benefit both my professional and personal life.

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The Business Case for “Happiness”

So which comes first? Success or “happiness”? It’s ingrained in our American culture that if we work hard, we will become successful and once we are successful, then we will be happy. But is this really true? As we learn more about what really motivates people and how positive emotions influence all facets of our lives we see that this formula is actually backward.

Don’t believe me? Think about it . . . if success brings happiness, then each time we get that new job, new promotion, find that ideal husband, new house, new car or lose that five pounds we would be happy. But often something very different happens. We start thinking that this isn’t enough – we push out the criteria for our happiness even further. We are always waiting, waiting, waiting to really be happy.

So this is what the hard science tells us . . . in the last 10 – 15 years there has been an abundance of research in the area of positive psychology or “happiness”. And the results are clear . . . positive emotions engage and motivate us to stretch, grow and perform at our very best. We see the world clearer, especially the possibilities that we could tap into. And from that foundation of personal confidence, resiliency and creativity, we make ourselves available for opportunity. Success then seems to find us – almost falls in our laps.

So here’s the ROI of happiness . . . People do business with people they know, like and trust. We all like to be around positive, energetic and optimistic friends, family and work colleagues. We even do business with companies that project that positivity – think of highly successful Southwest Airlines. And we have total control over our own emotions – negative and positive. I vote for putting my time and energy into where I’m going to benefit the most and that is in my own “happiness”.

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When Blogging Grinds to a Halt!

Despite my best intentions, my weekly blog ground to a halt over the last two months.  And it wasn’t even for something terribly exciting.  It was rather due to the sudden onset of severe carpal tunnel syndrome in both of my hands.  It started late July and really set me back in many ways.  I’ve always been blessed with excellent health so I was a bit grumpy to be dealing with this unexpected health challenge.

But after two surgeries (Oct & Nov) I am back to writing, working out in the gym and generally getting into mischief – the spice of life!  I was able to continue getting out my monthly e-newsletter Kit’s Monday Tip but it is only now (early January) that the hands are ready for my weekly blog to all of you.

And I’m sure I’m not alone in feeling guilty about slowing down or even stopping blogging on a regular basis.  Have you ever felt that way?  Life does get in the way for us.  We may get pulled away by a family member’s pressing needs or by our own.  The lesson I’ve learned is that it’s okay – I’ll get back to it as soon as I can.  We’re just doing the best we can.  So be kind to yourself if you’ve had to take a break – you will be back as I am now.  More to come next week . . . Warmly, Kit

 

 

 

 

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The Pony Express – Riding as One

They ride as one. Horse and rider committed to the speedy and safe delivery of the U.S mail working in harmony each doing what they do best.

Here’s what we can learn from watching this amazing teamwork. When we have a burning passion and an unflinching commitment to accomplish something beyond ourselves we must ride as one unit.  We can’t do it alone. Together we are strong and resilient.  And the Pony Express annual Re-Ride demonstrates exactly that.

Watching the 2012 Pony Express Re-Ride come through Northern Nevada in June was an incredible experience.  I had never seen it personally so when our Beer Club friend, Petra Keller, invited us to come watch her ride a portion of this famous trail I had to push the “yes” button.

And it gave me goose bumps to watch these beautiful and hardy horses carry their dedicated riders (from teens to80 years old) across miles and miles of Nevada desert. Each rider and horse takes a segment of the route which began this year in Sacramento on Wednesday, June 13th and ended in Saint Joseph, Missouri on Saturday, June 23rd.  They travel over the original Pony Express route (1966 miles) going through eight states.  600 volunteers coordinate the logistics and support for the horses and riders including the setup of an impressive communications system.

And where’s the mail?  That was interesting . . . the horse carries a 100 lb. leather mail bag called a “mochila”. The mochila has 4 compartments and lifts up and over the saddle to be as balanced as possible.  Transferring it from one horse to the next is much like watching the Olympic Torch being handed off from runner to runner.  But it’s even better because you are watching two horses and two riders working closely together to help each other accomplish this tricky but quick and efficient transfer.

So think about this . . . if there is something really important to you that you are passionate about accomplishing resist the temptation to be the Lone Ranger.  Instead, look for a solid team mate that will put in the hard work, the long miles and the serious sweat to deliver the goal.  Or in the case of the Pony Express to deliver the mail!

 

 

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Weathering the Storm in an Outhouse

Now this was a stroke of genius or maybe it was pure survival. I loved this story but more importantly the lesson it gives us on how to survive the many storms in our lives.  My take-away . . . we definitely need to practice more “out-of-the-box” or in this case “in the outhouse” thinking!

In June 2012,  41 young college ROTC cadets on a training exercise are caught in a torrential rain storm in the woods of Fort Lewis, WA.  The storm had come on so fast and so strong that the cadets didn’t have their wet weather gear with them or even where they could get back to their packs. The cadets were quickly soaked to the bone and freezing with the nighttime temperatures dropping to 15 degrees.

To try and get some kind of protection, they first formed tight circles with the smallest cadets in the middle.  My niece, Meghan, at 103 lbs, was encircled but the rain and cold was too much.  There was no shelter . . . except for a bunch of outhouses in a row in among the trees.  And then someone had an idea . . .

So with a quick count-off, the cadets divided themselves up into groups of four and into the outhouses they went.  Ten outhouses x 4 = 40 cadets in from the storm.  But what happened to the 41st cadet?  One of those outhouses must have been really stuffed.  In a quick phone call, I asked Meghan how did all those big guys fit in those very small outhouses?  No time to be fussy . . . two stood on the bench and two on either side of the toilet. And that 41st cadet probably had to straddle the toilet seat. Not a pretty sight or smell.

But when the rain had slowed, all ten outhouse doors popped open at the same time and the young ROTC cadets marched smartly out in formation having weathered this storm in a most unique way.  Of course, hopefully they marched straight back to their barracks for hot showers.

Still exhausted from 17 days out in the field and an immediate turn around to her next assignment in Korea, Meghan wasn’t seeing the humor in this experience.  But she will when she gets home and drys out from the typhoon coming through Fort Casey (NW South Korea) as I write this.  Home is going to look really good to her.

And our hats off to our young military volunteers for their service, commitment and good sense when weathering the many storms in our lives.  Thank you for all that you do!

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