Move and Groove 52 - Wonder

I spent some time at Be Well Retreat recently, shutting down the cabin and orchard for the winter, doing some trail work, and enjoying the change of seasons. The black oaks were dropping their yellow leaves, the animal trails were well worn, and the frogs were asleep.

Or, so I thought.

I was working at the swimming hole, cleaning up a bunch of fallen timber, managing the burn, and sitting for long periods of time.

Sometimes when I sit by the creek, the rushing water sounds like voices. Sometimes I hear animal movement and sit up and nothing is there. This time, I heard a frog.

Once. Didn't trust my hearing, they must be hibernating. I didn't hear them last night.

Again. This time sitting up, further from the water.

Again. It's a frog!

I thought the frogs would be hibernating by now, but, it turns out, some remain active year round in the Sierra Nevada range.

Never found the frog but this experience set me off on a whole journey of wonder - what are other animals doing to prepare for winter? Who is more active? Where are all the frogs living that produce the chorus every night in the summer? Why don't I see them more often?

The whole experience added novelty and wonder as I watched the fire burned down.

Neuroscience Nugget

Think wonder is just a nice feeling? Research by Stellar et al. (2015) revealed that experiencing wonder and awe has profound effects on both brain and body.

The study found that moments of wonder:

• Decreased inflammation markers in the body
• Reduced self-focused thoughts
• Enhanced creative problem-solving abilities
• Increased feelings of connection and possibility

Wonder, unlike curiosity's drive to understand, actually makes us more comfortable with mystery and uncertainty. It's not about finding answers – it's about expanding our sense of what's possible.

Wonder broadens our aperture. Wonder increases capacity to see novel patterns and connections.

Pep Talk

Here's how to bring more wonder and awe into your workday:

Start your morning by looking at the sunrise, staring at art, or looking up at a tree. Wonder enhances creativity and is useful for later in the day.

Use brief moments during the day to appreciate the magnificence in everyday things. Wonder about the steps that it took to bring you the coffee, the cup, or the plumbing.

Before big challenges, consider the vastness of possibility rather than immediately searching for solutions. This mental state primes your brain for breakthrough thinking.

Wonder is about accessing a mental state where boundaries dissolve and new possibilities emerge. Be curious about the details and not afraid to wonder about the bigger picture.

Now move, groove, and let wonder lead the way!

Be well,

Eric

P.S. Enjoy these resources on your journey:

• Winning at Work - our signature course on doing your best work, while feeling great at the same time. Access the promotion and get $300 off, 1 hour coaching, and surprise bonuses.
• Be Well Mind - blogs on neuroscience, sports science, and performance.
• Schedule a free call - enjoy a powerful one hour coaching session for free.
• Group Flow Checklist - improve your team's ability to enter group flow for more productivity, innovation, and joy.
• Friday Afternoon Strategy Hack - when your competition is choosing where to go for happy hour, outmaneuver them with this strategic tool.
• Calendar Coding Exercise - use this to see where you are actually spending your time and adjust to where you should be spending your time, with visual indication of success.