Monday Motivation: Seeing the Bright Side
This article was originally published on July 6, 2020 at https://gritdaily.com/monday-motivation-optimism/
Monday motivation, we need it, stat! We’re all weighed down by the strife in the world and need a boost. Here’s a pick-me-up to launch your week on the right foot. Studies show that your morning mood affects your productivity all day. Grit Daily is here to get your work week off to a good start. Pump your fists – it’s time for Monday motivation!
Staying Positive
I’m the energizer bunny type, ever the optimist and always a half-full kinda gal. But, lately, I have to admit that the weight of the world in combination with social distancing and being away from my family and friends. Not to mention the omnipresent lack of equality, recent examples of police brutality, murder hornets, Bubonic plague, a new swine flu, brain-eating amoebae, the COVID Round 2 numbers and everything else has me feeling weighed down.
For the past couple of months, I’ve kept my nose to the grindstone and my head out of social media. I’ve also cautiously consumed and limited my news intake. And for good reason! No wonder why we all want to watch cat and dog videos when we go online, who wants to see all that in the news?
Monday motivation tips to increase optimism
For the past couple of weeks, I have had a bird’s-eye view (literally) from my desk watching the beautiful cycle of a mating pair of robins select my hanging flower basket as their home, build their nest together, birth then feed three incessantly hungry babies. Today, the fledglings jumped out of the nest (as I watched in panic and horror) then landed safely and hopped into my shrub bed where I’ve lost sight of them. So has mama bird; she flew back to the empty nest with worms in her beak and looked confused, perching on the porch rail and frantically flying around. It was heart-breaking to see!
“Keep your face to the sun so that you never see your shadow.” ~Helen Keller
I’m telling myself that they’re all going to be okay and, instead of imagining a tale of woe, I’m thinking about how wonderful that learning experience has been for me and everyone who’s followed my helicopter bird parenting saga on social. I’m reliving how much joy the experience has brought me and how it is a wonderful thing that three more happy little robins have come this far. That’s seeing the bright side and that’s today’s Monday motivation theme.
Staying positive isn’t always easy, especially in the era of COVID and everything else. But that’s also exactly what makes it all the more important that we do find a way to see the bright side, even in the darkness. Beyond limiting our intake of social media and the news to boost our resilience and adaptability, here are a few tips to help us do so.
#1 – match music to how you feel
There are so many talented and creative people on the planet who have crafted beautiful music and poignant lyrics. Some music artists have poured their angst into metal-bending deafening sounds and those work, too. If you’re like the rest of us and not a musician who can play out how you feel, find a song or symphony or whatever piece of music written by somebody else that meets your mood. Play it until you’ve worked through your mood. You’ll arrive at a “better place” once you’re done with it.
#2 – challenge your negative thoughts
You’re human. You have higher learning abilities and you can manage your mind. Sure, you can use mind-altering drugs to do that, but you can also do it with self-control. If you’re having negative thoughts, assess why. Then challenge yourself to STOP thinking those dark thoughts and push through to thoughts that spark joy and happiness.
#3 – break out of your mood with sunshine
Get outside. Break up your mood – and your day – with a dose of sunshine. If you can walk your dog, go for a run or exercise outdoors, that works, too. If not, just stand outside and look up. Let the sunshine beam upon your face. Okay you negative Nellies, you’re thinking, “But it’s raining here.” Fair enough, but I doubt that it will be raining tomorrow and the next day and the day after that. And, if it is, go online and look at pictures of cats, dogs and peoples radiating in sunbeams.
Then smile. You’ll be well on your way to feeling positive and seeing the bright side. The best part? Monday motivation works all week, every day of the week!
If you like podcasts, well, wouldn’t you know, we’ve got those, too! Three of them, in fact: 1) Like a Boss with snappy insights; 2) wine down and chill; and 3) Monday motivation. All three are available on all streaming channels including Apple, iHeart Radio, Spotify and more. Tune in! Finally, if you like my writing, check out my new novel, The Battle for Humanity, it’s a thriller you won’t be able to put down.
Have a fabulous week!
Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay