Ruminating on what’s wrong exaggerates the importance of wrong. “Nothing is as important as you think it is, while you’re thinking about it.” Daniel Kahneman
Unmanaged thinking distorts reality.
In a world filled with good and bad, you notice bad and neglect good.
Straight thinking:
Deal with splinters:
Pull splinters before infection sets in.
Painful situations require intervention. Meaningful problems get worse with time.
Ruminate on solution-finding, not problems.
Disproportionate advantage:
Removing ‘bad’ provides disproportionate advantage.
Bad pollutes good. A teaspoon of dirt has more power than a teaspoon of honey.
Jerks are jerks even when they give a few compliments.
Jerks experience disproportionate advantage when they stop being jerk-holes first, and add compliment-giving to their social repertoire.
Exponential power:
A little good is nice but inconsequential.
A little bad goes a long way. An occasional correction has more impact than several compliments.
Tip: Frequent compliments and affirmations give power to occasional correction.
Triggers for good:
It’s work to recall good but remembering bad happens all by itself.
My gratitude notepad sits on the corner of my desk. It’s a trigger for good.
Remind yourself to notice good or bad captures your attention. (This is doubly true of self-talk.)
What triggers for good might work for you?
How might leaders leverage the power of good and bad?
Bonus material:
Would You Be Happier If You Were Richer? A Focusing Illusion
Negative Bias: Why We’re Hardwired for Negativity (verywellmind.com)