There’s a reason why criticism often has a much greater impact on us than compliments, and why bad news frequently draws more of our attention than good-it’s because of our negativity bias. ![]() What’s one area in my life where I made real, tangible progress this year? I’m grateful for my commitment to writing, for the friends who’ve helped me stay optimistic about the future, and for you and every other reader who’s engaged with my words this year. I’m grateful I’m still alive and healthy. Personally, I’m grateful to have spent an extra year at home with my family. I just listed five things you can be grateful for (things that perhaps you completely took for granted). You’re not hungry - and if you are, you have the financial means to buy a meal for yourself. ![]() If you’re reading this now, that means you’re safe. Truth is, it’s totally normal to forget that we live in a world of blessings. That’s because the daily practice of gratitude creates an oasis of calm and contentment amidst a sea of chaos. “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues but the parent of all others,” wrote ancient Roman philosopher Cicero. What are the five things I’m most grateful for this year? Here are 13 reflective questions to ask yourself as we head into the new year. And by planning for the year ahead, you step into it with full confidence, along with the knowledge that you’re much more intentional about your life and in control of it. By reflecting on the year, you surface your successes, sorrows, and any behavioral and thought patterns that held you back. The idea is simple: Prepare and plan for the year ahead by first working through and assessing the one that just passed. That’s why, the best thing you can do for yourself around this time of the year is to create a comfortable space to sit in, put on some relaxing music, prepare yourself a hot beverage, let go of all expectations, and journal through some introspective and prospective questions. Also known as experimental self-observation, the term was used to describe a research technique that was first developed by psychologist Wilhelm Wundt, which involved training people to carefully and objectively analyze the content of their own thoughts. Put simply, introspection is a process that involves looking inward to examine one's own thoughts and emotions. “Without reflection, we go blindly on our way, creating more unintended consequences, and failing to achieve anything useful.” ![]() The problem is, however, that when we prospect before first introspecting-when we plan for what’s ahead before reflecting on what has already passed-we’re doing ourselves an enormous disfavor by not allowing ourselves to process our emotions and thoughts. Pragmatic prospection is the process through which one thinks about the future by imagining what one wants to happen, while also considering the obstacles, so as to map out and guide the actions that would bring about desirable outcomes. Maybe that’s why when the new year comes around the corner, we are more inclined to ask ourselves and others about our new year resolutions, instead of questioning “what lessons did we learn this year?” In other words, we prospect before even introspecting. ![]() “Both facts derive from the principle that the future can be changed whereas the past cannot,” they continue. “In the present, the past is more knowable than the future-but people think far more about the future than the past,” write psychology professors Baumeister, Vohs, and Oettingen in their published study on Pragmatic Prospection.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |