I’m a positive psychology junkie. I practice it too, I don’t just read it.
I have a pretty up-beat grandma who would always welcome people in, wore a smile, and made everyone around them feel like they were #1. I’m sure my positive psychology love was jumped started by her and grew as I pursued her Guidepost and Readers Digest magazines and to find the call out boxes that would give me tips on how to improve my happiness and that of those around me.
In high school a few people nicknamed me smiley. I read research to support that the simple act of smiling can start to shift your mood even if you have to fake it at first. I took that in, tested the concept, and applied that research to my life day in and day out. It was one of the easiest changes I ever made.
Oh yes, I have smile lines to prove it.
It must have worked because one day my junior year an on again off again friend challenged my demeanor – “There is no way you can be that happy all of the time.”
I was dumbfounded. And embarrassed that she called my integrity into question in front of this crowd. I smiled and quickly replied, “Uh, yeah. I am.”
At the same time I wondered, am I?
I AM that happy all of the time, I thought after processing the thought for entirely too long. Sure, I had my fair share of challenges, but I am generally that happy. It’s all relative.
Wondering what this has to do with you and your business? You know it’s coming…
Fast forward 15+ years later, I am sitting in the Starbucks drive through line this past weekend and I was not smiling.
My husband was been out of town for the last week. My sweetheart two year old hasn’t been sleeping. I was dead tired. My hormones were doing something crazy. Needless to say, I wasn’t feeling it.
Just then an email from the people at Happify popped into my inbox – I signed up to see what they were up to and see how they were spreading this happiness movement I am fond of.
Sure enough, the reminder about that smile was dropped into my lap:
Either way, scientists have found a quick pick-me-up that really works. You might be staring at nothing but your email inbox, but force your mouth into a big smile. Try it now—for at least a minute—you can even grip a pen in between your teeth if you’d like.
Has your mood improved, just a little? Researchers have shown that even a forced smile can decrease your stress levels and make you happier.
You know I immediately smacked on that smile. Guess what, I felt better too!
Your happiness isn’t simply determined by your genes, nor by what’s happening in your life — nearly half of it is actually within your control!
You are in control + You are responsible.
If your business isn’t running the way you want it to, if you are not finding the right people to outsource to, or your systems are all jacked up, your team can’t figure out what you want, your coach isn’t giving you the TLC you expected, or your tribe isn’t responding to your messaging and mission, take a look at what you are doing in this situation right now to fuel the flames.
You are playing a leadership role to your business and to your tribe.
If things are not going right, it’s time to look at this differently and reexamine what’s happening. As my man Wayne Dyer says:
When you change the way you look at things, things change.
Time for a little reflection…
What’s going wrong or feels off in your business today and what can YOU do to be the change?
Tell me in the comments, I wanna know!!
If you popped a smile on your face to test this concept while you read too, how did it work?
See you in the comments or out and about on the interwebs!
Amber
P.S. If you are ready to make some changes and want to explore where to start, here’s an uber practical kick-*ss book from one of my favorite COOs, Cameron Herold. In Double Double, Cameron Herold outlines “focus points” that you can rally around to prepared your business to be set up to double your revenue and profit in less than 3 years. If you are ready to change it up, jump in on the contest to win a copy!
Tweet it
Nothing changes until you change. #nice
When you change the way you look at things, things change. – Wayne Dyer #nice
1/2 of what is happening in life + business right now is in your control. #nice
What’s going wrong or feels off in your business today? What can YOU do to be the change? #nice
Grinning ear to ear like a weirdo in the middle of Starbucks! 😉 Today in business I’m focusing so much more on relationships than the numbers or any other stats or anything! I’m also going to write out some ‘steps’ for myself for my goals so I can be more consistent!
I love this – Relationships Matter. The Business Brilliant author recommends you have 3 key relationships w/ people you want to grow their business and who may help you grow yours. You should intimately know everything about their business… How much money they make, who they want to connect, with…. Etc.,
Who’s on your top three? I’m working on my targets this week!
When I met you face to face in Stamford, CT, I was struck by just how upbeat you are Amber. And it made me want to bask in your sunshine all day:). Often, I let my mood be dictated by the weather – when it’s gloomy, I’m sluggish and sour. No more! I’m smackin’ on that smile every day. (P.S. Audrey’s smooshy face is such a crack up!)
Lori, your comments are making me smile. The real kind! 😉
Audrey’s so good with the faces — She’s got a bazillion of them!!
Her made face from the archives is a laugh out louder. I’ll dig it up!
I did the smile thing. It does work! I’m going to have to send you a link to a snarky vid as to why I try to smile more. 🙂 I feel like because my business involves somewhat unusual or divergent projects I have a hard time with “systematizing” (which I swear is not a word hahaha) but I am slowly getting there. I at least have a contract and adapted an NDA from my first client. I am finally sitting down to put where I am financially. It’s small – a couple thousand dollars, but it’s a couple thousand more than I had 6 months ago!
Williesha, it’s the small things that add up to the big things!! Don’t forget Mrs. CEO keep on going!! You’ve got what it takes!
Hey Amber, great post!
I want to change… is me! I’m a recent convert to all the positive thing and, hey, it seems to work. So i want more of it!
Thanks for everything,
M.
Wow! What a timely post comment. You are moving to the positive and I am getting back to it. Sending good change vibes your way!
I’m so thankful I have my daughter now. With the exception of the times that she’s freaking out, I simply look at her to get that smile fix that I need. She is the best medicine when biz or personal ish hits the fan! Heck, sometimes when she’s freaking out she’s still so stinkin’ cute I smile from ear to ear! Positivity works!
Thanks for the reminder Amber! I’ve been a bit frazzled lately, but smiling petting Brutus instantly changed my mood for the better. I’m now ready to conquer the rest of my busy afternoon.
I hope you rocked out your afternoon, Monday!
GIRL YOU KNOW I BE smiling at everything! I just watched the new thor trailer and SMILED like a fool!
[…] support in these moments, there will be no person, book or website that can solve this for you. You simply have to decide if you will keep going. Accept always that the road will be jolty. Admit that you don’t know where the road will guide. […]