B+

B+ is my blood type, which I think is a fitting reminder because I’m trying to be a positive, supportive person to those around me and promote a positive, creative attitude in my designs.

But, this morning I was a crankpot. I was woken up prematurely by an all-consuming hammering noise and then all these negative thoughts started pounding in — I’ll never do all the work I want to do today so why bother, I’m not going to be a great designer by the end of the week, I have other stuff to worry about at the same time.. everything’s just too haaard.

So I went where some people go when they’re in a funk – to the magic TV. I watched a whole disk of comedy and nothing. Still didn’t want to face the day. I said, why not? and tried to find the cheeriest thing on netflix. Which turned out to be a TED talk “The happy secret to better work,” followed by another TED talk by Jane McGonigal, “The game that can give you 10 extra years of life.” Since I was wasting time, I might as well find out how to get some back.

Well, I feel slightly renewed, but the best takeaway I got was to build a step by step plan or “game” to get myself out of a funk. Jane’s suggestions attacked all sides, but today I’m going to build up my emotional resilience.
Emotional Resilience = combat every negative emotion with 3 positive ones.

Scan the world for positive instead of the negative. Do it until it’s a habit (one talk said 21 days, but I think I’ll do 30 just to be sure.)

Jane’s suggestions include something as simple as looking out a window, or if you’re outside – looking into one. Or my particular favorite, but dangerous game – googling baby animals.

Track your efforts instead of your accomplishments.

I’m going outside after I finish some work, tracking some efforts, not being so hard on myself, and working to live up to my blood type today.
What positive things are you doing this week? Leave me a comment!

Here are those links again:
TED talk “The happy secret to better work” (12.5 minutes)
TED talk “The game that can give you 10 extra years of life.”  (19.5 minutes)