Happy Friday! Here are my August 16 Hot Topics and how they relate to advancing culture or leadership.
Hot Topic 1: Why Do We Worry Then Worry Some More?
Source: The New York Times.
What It’s About: UCLA Clinical psychiatrist and author, Jennifer Taitz, writes about the negative impact of waiting for the “other shoe to drop,” and how this way of thinking robs us of fully appreciating moments of joy. We somehow believe that thinking of the next potential bad thing better prepares us for the worst. This is a false narrative. The article outlines why this happens and what we might do about it.
Why It’s Important: We need to recognize, welcome and embrace moments of joy. When we start worrying about what bad things could possibly happen before we fully soak in moments to relish, the less capacity we have for resilience. Two important worry antidotes to keep in mind include: 1. Cherishing our values more than counting “results” and comparing ourselves to others 2. Imagining life without this anxiety and visualizing living in this more desirable state. This is easier said than done, yet worth practicing.
Hot Topic 2: 27 Years of Research Finds One Key Thing for Long and Happy Life.
Source: Inc.
Why It’s About: A study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association by a team of University of Michigan researchers. The team analyzed data from the 27-year-old Health and Retirement Study and found that one thing led to people living longer. According to the article: “That one thing is inescapably interwoven with happiness, fulfillment, and maximum productivity at work: Working and living with a sense of purpose and meaning. The researchers found that those who had meaning and a sense of purpose (as measured by answers to questions from well-being self-assessments) lived longer lives than those who’d self-reported little to no sense of purpose and meaning.”
Why It’s Important: Both individuals and organizations require a sense of deep purpose to thrive. Yet too often, neither fully invests in the work required to establish purpose and meaning as an intentional driving force. Why is that? We consistently let activity and transaction lead us without really asking the hard questions as to WHY? Being self-aware and reflective is difficult, yet as the research confirms, it is so valuable. What about you?
My Weekly Wine Recommendation (Thanks to Vivino):
Rainwater Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford 2017.
[Picture and ratings provided by Vivino.]
And finally! Here’s Cecil’s Bleat of the Week!
“Our ability to truly tap into our creative imagination so that we can do the things that we most want to do, or experiment with different parts of our self, is truly unique to us – and an alter ego helps to untap that.” – Todd Herman
Bye for now!
– Lorne Rubis
Incase you Missed It:
My Lead In podcasts.
My latest blogs. (Blogs returning Tuesday, August 20).
Season 3 of Culture Cast.
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