In a year that is not typical, we must learn to bring joy to those close to us

In his book, “High Performance Habits: How Extraordinary People Become That Way,” Brendon Burchard (brendon.com ), a leading high-performance coach and one of the most quoted and followed personal development trainers, lists as habit No. 2 of five high-performance habits: generate energy.

His three tips to generate energy:

1. Release tension, set intension
2. Bring the joy
3. Optimize health

December is known as a season of joy. The season is about lights, music, cookies and hot cocoa, family and community. Most people seem happier in December, as the mood is typically celebratory.

That said, 2020 is not the typical year. More than two in five U.S. residents report struggling with mental or behavioral health issues associated with the pandemic, including anxiety, depression, increased substance use and suicidal thoughts, reports a recent study by the CDC.

“At least one adverse mental or behavioral health symptom was reported by more than one half of respondents who were ages 18 to 24 (74.9%) and 25 to 44 (51.9%),” reports the CDC.

I see statistics like these and my heart breaks for these young people. This age group is our children, employees, friends, family and patients. How can we help? We must bring the joy to every room we are in and help those close to us learn how to bring joy with them as well.

This sounds like a simple concept, yet how many times do we begin our day with the best intentions, only to find ourselves discouraged, stressed, unhappy, anxious or even angry about something by 10 a.m.? Knowing that joy is a choice, we then must determine how we replace negative emotion with positive emotion.

PROMPTING JOY

To do this, Mr. Burchard recommends three performance prompts:

1. Every morning, ask three questions to prompt positive emotions for the rest of the day. For example, ask yourself what challenges you think may come up today, and then ask yourself how you will deal with that challenge in a positive way for everyone involved. Even visualize a positive outcome.
2. Set triggers to prompt joy. Make a bracelet with words on it that remind you of your best self, set a text reminder with the words you need to see, place a sticky note on your mirror, wall or computer reminding you of a positive emotion. Create a place at home you can go and listen to music that brings the joy. My orchid garden is that for me.
3. Create a routine for replaying the positive moments of your day. Take a moment to meditate, pray or just stay quiet and remember the positive events in your day. Try doing this at the table with your family, so you can engage everyone.

The year 2020 has been a reminder to everyone, collectively, that life is not always certain. However, our response to uncertainty is a choice.

I encourage everyone to dive deep with me and come up with ways we can help each other bring the joy. Thank you for all you do for me to bring the joy! OM

Email: april.jasper@pentavisionmedia.com

Twitter: @DrAprilJasper

Facebook: @OptometricManagement