Get in the Groove

So I really do have wonderful intentions, and when I said I would be doing the daily happiness exercises, I really meant it.  

Then I had some days of forgetting....and I was raised Catholic, so I felt guilty about it.  

Soon after,  I had a bomb drop on me.  And I wanted to go into a dark room, and disappear for a bit, just so I could take it all in.  I was really overwhelmed.  But I couldn't do that, because I have a life, a job, and kids who need stuff... so I had to go to Walmart {sigh}.  It honestly took mental effort, I really wanted to just press a pause button somewhere.

As I checked out with my groceries,  the man working the register so nicely said, "Have a nice day today", with a look in his eyes like he really meant it.  And I thought, wow, I needed that.  Then someone else looked at me and smiled a true genuine smile, and I almost felt like they both were placed there on purpose for me, so I would snap out of it.  As I walked out the doors, what seemed like a recording in my brain said, "Be grateful you have your children and husband, they have their health, and you have yours."  

I swear to God, I didn't consciously think those thoughts.  It kind of startled me.  I think what Shawn Achor talked about was real.  If we practice gratitude, it becomes ingrained in us.  

So do it.  If you forget here or there, it's OK, you're creating grooves in your brain that will remember for you, and when autopilot kicks in, you'll be happy it did. 

PS- I'm good now...

Have a great day!

{Jenn}

The Science of your Smile

If you like TED talks, then this post will be right up your alley.

I just got back from Nashville, Tennessee for my skincare business.  Rodan+Fields offered an amazing weekend of training workshops, information sharing, and encouraged connections with other consultants from all over the country.  To say that the experience was empowering as a business owner would be an understatement.

But the most amazing presentation had nothing to do with the fine details of being in business.  It had to do with each of us, as a person.  How to manage the journey to achieve something without "success" attached to it, or looking for it on the other side of that achievement.

Happiness.

To be honest, I was {pleasantly} surprised that the topic was on how to develop ourselves as an individual, and {maybe because I had never attended an event like this before} I didn't expect it.

Shawn Achor is a former researcher from Harvard who studied happiness.  You can find his website HERE.  He spoke to us for quite awhile about his fascinating research, conducted all over the world, about what it really means, deep down, to be happy.  If you're already a fan of TED talks, you might already know a little about him, but if you'd like a peek into what we were a part of, watch the video for a smidge of what we heard.


Since my teacher/perpetual student background has me trained quite well, I sat with my laptop on my lap, taking notes.  Here is a little of what I want to scream from the rooftops and share with whomever reads this blog post...kind of how I felt after reading this.

Remember that common sense ideas aren't commonly practiced ones....these points might seem like common knowledge, but let them sink in and do them.  Practice them.  That's what I'm committing to.

Here is the part that directly related to our business...when our top leaders were asked about what makes them successful in the business, three main points emerged.  

GREATEST PREDICTORS OF SUCCESS 

1. Optimism-the belief that our behavior matters 

2. Strong social connection-meaningful connections to others

3. Perceive stress as a challenge-take stress and work through it 

So what's the ACTION PLAN he recommends for true joy and happiness, based on his countless hours of research?  From the minute I sat down for my first family dinner at home, we were already practicing them...

Three gratitudes

Share, out loud, three things you are grateful for.  No, it can't be "my family" or "my job".  Be specific.  "I'm grateful for how you girls helped Daddy so much while I was away by cleaning your rooms, and being kind to each other".  You might be surprised at how those words take on an emotional meaning when you say them out loud.  Go around the table, and yes, it must be three things.  It takes approximately 45 seconds to say those three things, but after 6 months, research has proven that those 45 seconds, practiced daily, can reverse YEARS of a negative mindset, and also increase your attractiveness to your mate {we cracked up at this one, but his research proved it...}.  Our "mirror neurons" will kick into high gear when we model this for our children. BE the people we are teaching them to be.

The Doubler

Journal for 2 minutes about an excellent experience, every single detail.  When you record it, you deepen your memory of the experience and subconsciously you will seek to duplicate that experience again from it being ingrained in your mind.

Think of your hand, and close your eyes.  You can still picture your hand, right? But sit and write about your hand, the lines on your palm, the rings on your finger...now close your eyes.  The picture in your minds eye is much stronger now.  Same goes for our experiences.  It's only 2 minutes.  Give it a go.

The Fun 15

Take 15 minutes each day and engage in some physical activity.  Either run, walk the dog, or in my case yesterday, go sledding with your kids and husband...that 15 minutes will give your brain the same dosage of an antidepressant.  Do it for yourself, and reap the rewards.

Meditation

I was happy this was on the list.  Take just a few minutes each day, take your hands off an electronic device, and close your eyes, only focusing on your breath.  That's it.  Sean spoke of how he works with GOOGLE employees by having them physically take their hands off of their keyboards to focus on their breath during their work time.  It matters.  Our poor brains are inundated with so much information, kind of because of GOOGLE, so we deserve to give ourselves a break too.

Conscious Acts of Kindness

Whether it's in person, or in an email, fb message, or letter in the mail, tell someone how and why you appreciate them, directly praising someone.  It takes about 2 minutes to do this, yet the effects for both people are long lasting, from giving and receiving praise.

Overall...amazing people, amazing weekend, and I'm eternally grateful I have this business as part of my life.  It has changed me for the better, and I can't wait for what's to come.

And if all else fails?  Smile.  Nana said so.  

And she was always right.

Have a great day!

{Jenn}

Ironman Wisconsin 2013

If you're a spouse/partner of a triathlete, especially if the triathlete has an "Ironman problem", then you know what I'm talking about. Nine months of training for one very expensive day, where the end result is kind of like getting hit by a truck-only you paid them to let it happen. It kind of doesn't make sense. Until you arrive at the race site. 

I can only compare my husbands relationship with Ironman to my relationship with pregnancy. Unfortunately, my track record for having awful, home-nurses-needed pregnancies are 3/3. So why did I keep having kids? Because pregnancy was just a means to an end for me. I knew that if I just hung in there, I would walk away with the sweetest little chunk of a baby. Pain? Vomiting non-stop? What? Who was puking?  The amnesia sets in real fast...then guess who is having another?

Over the past nine months, my husband has trained for Ironman Wisconsin.  He has gotten up for 4am swims, fit workouts in between shift work, and has tried to do it while the kids have been at school. 

I'm extremely proud of him, and I really can't wrap my head around his dedication to his sport. But I would be a liar if I said this training has been all roses. I know I have wanted to ring his neck at least 642 times. Why? Because we have three kids, and when he says I need to go out on a bike ride....an 80 mile bike ride...well, you would will want to ring his neck too. It's as mentally exhausting for me as it is physically for him. If you are an "Iron-widow", you know exactly what I mean.

It all seems rediculous, until you get in the car, drive 900 miles, and arrive in Madison, WI. 

The entire town has embraced this crazy race. And you spend the day walking through crowds of these people all as anxious and excited as your husband, and it starts to make sense. 

The energy here, amongst all of these other people is amazing. It's like this restrained euphoria...they're all on the starting block, just waiting for the horn to blow, setting them free. It's the kind of joy you get from holding your baby for the first time. The one who made you sick as a dog and swell like a tick for nine months. 

Nine months if hellish training pays off for a week of pre-race/race day accomplishment. Because after race day, the memory of the pain getting to that medal around your neck is all but gone. After all, you're an Ironman now.  

My husband has already asked if he can sign up for next years race. I just stared at him....God help me. 

"I wish you more than luck" to everyone in the race tomorrow, I'll be cheering for all of you with tears in my eyes. You all have a drive I'm not sure I'll ever understand. But your energy? I'm already feeling that like crazy. I get that. 

Above all, happy 40th birthday to my husband, racer #1833. You're spending your special milestone by creating another one-the day you became an Ironman, twice over. Your drive, determination, and guts to withstand my "I'm gonna hurt you" stares during those last workouts are unmatched, and I love you!  Enjoy the day, look around and soak in the race, and know that I'll be waiting at the finish line for you. Can't wait. The 75 minute Dogfish head beer is iced down and ready to go. 

Go Daddy Go!

Have a great day!

{Jenn}

PS-please forgive any format errors, I'm typing this on my phone...I'll eventually get to a laptop to make it pretty ;)