Weekend Design & Wellness Project
Photo by: Diana Schroder-Bode @yolo_berlin
Pivot
PIVOT
“the act of turning on.”
Photo by: Timo Wielink @timowielink
Today is about becoming aware of negative statements that seem completely innocent and turning them into positive statements. A statement similar to “I don’t want to lose money on this deal,” could become “There’s a chance I’m going to earn money on this deal,” or “I’m comfortable spending (dollar amount) on this deal.” These subtle transitions shift the way the brain interprets the intent or emotion behind a statement. Make a list of unintentional negative statements you frequently use or have heard many times growing up. This negativity bias is an unconscious wiring in the brain that can be corrected with diligent practice.
Here is some psychology behind negativity bias and how to create a positivity practice
Negativity bias is “the notion that, even when of equal intensity, things of a more negative nature (e.g. unpleasant thoughts, emotions, or social interactions; harmful/traumatic events) have a greater effect on one's psychological state and processes than neutral or positive thoughts.” - Wikipedia
Thanks to neuroplasticity, the brain can alter its circuitry and function through replacement thoughts and actions. To make this conscience shift, positive statements need to average five to one. For every negative statement or thought, five positive statements need to be created to override one negative statement or thought.
Writing these statements out can be very helpful. Start by creating two columns, on the left write the negative statement and on the right leave out the negative words to craft a positive version. The statement can still feel true while leaving room for concern using words and phrases like; “hopefully,” “looking forward to” or “I’d like to see…” so it feels more believable.
For a “Pavlovian” approach, place a rubber band on your wrist and snap it each time you think or use negative phrasing. This method can also be used when thoughts and emotions of anxiety, stress or fear arise. This technique is quite a memorable way to change a behavior and thought pattern. Over time the brain will autocorrect and convert the negative statement before it can utter it aloud.
Nature's Design
“Everything is Design.” - Paul Rand
Paul Rand, legendary graphic designer (1914-1996) is famous for creating the logos for IMB, UPS, ABC among many other recognizable logos and layouts over his sixty year career. Rand understood and taught his students the value of looking at the world with a fresh eye, because “everything is design.”
Design is everywhere. Everything we interact with in daily life has been designed by a human or developed naturally way before we came along. Have you ever stared at a butterfly’s wings in awe and wondered how and what created their unique pattern? How about the color gradient of flower petals or how amazing it is that food and medicine grow from the earth? What about the evolution of human shelter and the materials that have been used before engineers, architects and builders streamlined the process? Next time you see a bird’s nest or a beehive, take a minute to observe the structures, patterns and materials that birds and bees use to create their homes. Their instinctive physics and math skills are impressive.
As you’re moving about your life, try to notice the design of each thing you see, touch, use and desire to acknowledge the impact of design.
I took the above picture of a beautiful encased butterfly that I purchased at a festival in San Diego.
Transitions
Photo by: Ashely Rich @a5hleyrich
Feb 15, 2018 1 min read
Life transitions have a way of automatically forcing the "letting go" process. Letting go is sometimes a choice, other times life events whether tragic or triumphant, forces elements to shift around us. As the adjustments settle in and take on some sort of shape, an opportunity to create something different may appear. If there was a tragic transition, this opportunity may lead to a positive and freeing new path or experience. If there was a triumphant transition, clarity of even more greatness or balance will be present.
Here is a helpful quote on life transition...
"There's a little bit of pain in every transition, but we can't let that stop us from making it. If we did, we'd never make any progress at all." -Phil Schiller