Magic Monday: Focus on What Works

Optimism

Where can you find the magic at work today?Since our brains are wired for survival, we typically focus on the glass being half empty versus half full. We are always measuring and calculating how far off we are from our goals or what we desire. At the root of this behavior is our built-in hard wiring to ensure we are safe or okay in some way – whether it’s a roof over our heads, the raise we want, or the recognition we feel we deserve. Measurements are important so we can gauge what else or more we need to do to get what we want.

Sometimes this focus on not having enough, doing enough or being enough can be exhausting and discouraging. Since we live in a consumer-oriented society, these messages can barrage us constantly daily. We are told we need some new product to be okay – or we didn’t measurement up in our performance review at work in the way we thought.My invitation this week is to measure what’s working and notice why. Be in the half full glass. This energy can help build ease, momentum, and get you where you want to be in a different way.

Appreciative Inquiry is a technique used to positively manage change in organizations. It’s about “the coevolutionary search for the best in people, their organizations, and the relevant world around them.” When leaders embody these positive behaviors themselves it has a big impact on the people around them. In the words of appreciative inquiry – engage in “unconditional positive questions."

This week’s reflection question: What do you appreciate about what is present and working, not what is absent or dysfunctional?