People shown pictures of mince pies and other traditional festive icons enjoy feelings of Christmas cheer, reflected in specific regions of the brain. Or do they?
Whether you experience positive and joyful emotions during December or spread feelings of Bah-Humbug! reflects ALL of your past experiences of the season. Many more happy Christmases than bad ones will obviously determine your perception and whether you anticipate a lot of love and fun – and therefore respond positively to seeing an image of a typical Christmas scene.
Last month highlighted research that how you talk to yourself can create peak performance. Of course, this can be extrapolated to changing your feelings in the moment too. Something my executive coaching clients are all too aware. Perhaps, with the prospect of celebrating in a new “2020 style” (or in my case yet another holiday cancellation) our brains are not automatically lighting up with Christmas excitement as much as usual.
Therefore, we may have to work harder to change our feelings and thinking. This skill can be applied to anything and simply deciding to enjoy something can be all it takes. Your brain and body will always follow your command.
Former US Navy SEAL, and ultra-endurance athlete, David Goggins exemplifies this mindset instruction, describing overcoming extreme mental, physical and emotional pain barriers, struggles with academic learning, plus racial and childhood abuse in his motivating memoir, Can’t Hurt Me. If you, or someone you know, will benefit from smashing out of a comfort zone, his book could be a good gift!
Watch him tell more in the video The Most Eye Opening 10 Minutes of Your Life.
Where WILL you expand your limits of what you think is possible?
Challenge yourself – and let me know.