How to Change Your Mindset [Part IX]
Grab a pen and do some ‘Happy Writing’
If you want to make lasting and meaningful change in your life, you must adopt a winning mindset first. There’s no other way around it.
Problem is: Changing your mindset is often much easier said than done.
That’s why I’m dedicating the following series to helping you do exactly that. Each day, I’ll dive into one specific (and highly powerful and effective) way to nurture a mindset that works for you instead of against you.
Yes, my friend — when we’re all done here, you’ll have all the tools you need to take your mindset from “I could never do that” to “Look out world, I can do anything!” faster than you ever thought possible before.
But it’s to you to put in the work and make the change.
So without further ado, let’s dive into Mindset Method #9.
Mindset Method #9: Happy Writing
And I don’t mean journaling.
What I’m talking about here is a ‘20-minute replay’ where you write about a positive experience in your life.
It could be about your friends, your family, a loved one. Or it could be about something that filled your heart with excitement and joy.
Either way, it’s about reliving the good that’s happened to you.
In a study titled “How Do I Love Thee? Let Me Count The Words,” Psychology Professor James Pennebaker and graduate student Richard Slatcher analyzed writing samples from 86 couples.
They split the couples into two groups, and instructed one person from each couple to write for 20 minutes a day for three consecutive days. One group wrote about their daily activities. The other wrote about positive feelings or experiences associated with their relationship.
Can you guess what happened?
The group who wrote about their relationship exceeded expectations. Not only were they more likely to stay together, but they also felt happier, more loved, and more fulfilled.
And both researchers believe these benefits can extend beyond romantic relationships, as well.
As Pennebaker notes:
“That people may enhance their romantic relationships by simply writing down their thoughts and feelings about those relationships has clear implications. The use of expressive writing as a tool for relationship enhancement could be applied to those in families, circles of friends and even work groups.”
Why does this work?
Think about it. Writing about positive feelings or experiences helps you relive those feelings and experiences. Your brain literally sends you back to those moments and the emotions associated with them.
It’s like happiness time-travel — and you can do it whenever you want.
Your challenge:
Write for 20 minutes a day for three consecutive days about a positive experience in your life. Take a day off, rinse and repeat.
If you do this for two consecutive weeks, I’m confident you’ll begin tapping into an inner wellspring of happiness you didn’t even know existed. And as you do this, your mindset will have no choice but to improve.
Happy writing ← see what I did there ;)
Halt right there!
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