When you find your passion, progress is powerful.

As you are entering month two of the new year you may be experiencing an energy drain as it relates to your goal attainment. One of the articles below talks about the hedonic treadmill and how to reduce the negative impact it can have on your success.  Identifying and leveraging your passion is a great place to start,

Passion can play a significant role in helping individuals reach their goals. When we are passionate about something, we are more likely to be motivated and driven to work towards achieving our objectives. Our passion gives us the energy and drive we need to overcome obstacles and persist even in the face of challenges or setbacks.

Research supports the idea that passion can contribute to success. For example, a study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology found that individuals who were passionate about their work were more likely to experience job satisfaction and to perform better on the job. Another study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that individuals who were passionate about their goals were more likely to be successful in achieving those goals.  This is often the “why” that I have mentioned in the goal setting model I use with my clients called SET. The “E” in the model stands for emotion, which is about creating a powerful why.

In addition to increasing motivation and drive, passion can also help individuals to stay focused and committed to their goals over time. This is because passion provides a sense of purpose and meaning, which can help individuals to stay focused and on track even when the going gets tough.

However, it is important to note that passion alone is not enough to guarantee success. In order to reach our goals, we must also have the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to succeed. Passion can provide the drive and motivation we need, but it must be combined with hard work, dedication, and a willingness to learn and grow in order to achieve our goals.

Passion can play a key role in helping individuals reach their goals. It provides the drive and motivation we need to persist in the face of challenges, and it can increase our chances of success. However, it must be combined with hard work and dedication in order to achieve our objectives.  How can you harness your passion?

Mind: Beware of the Hedonic Treadmill.

The hedonic treadmill is a phenomenon that captures the human condition of returning to one's baseline of happiness, regardless of the circumstances. This concept posits that we all have an innate "set point" for happiness, and that we instinctively strive to return to this level, whether our lives are filled with joyous events or challenging ones. The hedonic treadmill highlights our ongoing pursuit of happiness, yet reveals how this pursuit is fruitless since we quickly adapt to new experiences and circumstances.

While it's impossible to fully escape the hedonic treadmill, there are several strategies we can employ to elevate our happiness and well-being. For example:

1. Expressing gratitude - Reflecting on the things we are thankful for has a powerful impact on our happiness and overall well-being.
2. Engaging in activities we enjoy - Engaging in activities that bring us meaning and pleasure is a crucial ingredient in elevating our happiness.
3. Building positive relationships - Strong, supportive relationships with others provide a sense of belonging and purpose, both of which are key contributors to happiness.
4. Taking care of our physical health - Taking care of our physical well-being through exercise, healthy eating, and adequate sleep has a direct impact on our happiness.
5. Practicing mindfulness - Paying attention to the present moment allows us to appreciate the things we have and to cultivate a sense of contentment.

By weaving these elements into the fabric of our lives, we can enhance our chances of experiencing a more fulfilling, joyful existence.

What suggestion will you utilize to stay off the hedonic treadmill?

Body:  Physical exercise benefits more than just your biceps.

Physical exercise is often thought of as a way to improve our physical health and well-being, but it can also have a profound impact on our mental abilities. Specifically, regular physical exercise has been shown to enhance our creativity and problem-solving skills.

This connection between physical exercise and mental abilities can be explained by the way exercise affects the brain. When we engage in physical activity, we increase blood flow to the brain, which in turn stimulates the growth of new brain cells and the formation of new neural connections. This process of neuroplasticity can help to improve our cognitive abilities, including our ability to think creatively and solve problems.

Research has also shown that exercise can improve our ability to think divergently, which is the ability to generate a large number of ideas in response to a given prompt. This is a key component of creativity, and it is often what allows us to come up with innovative solutions to problems.

In addition to improving our creativity and problem-solving skills, physical exercise has also been shown to enhance our ability to focus and concentrate. This is because exercise helps to reduce stress and anxiety, which can interfere with our ability to pay attention and think clearly. By reducing stress and anxiety, exercise can help us to be more focused and mentally sharp, which in turn can improve our ability to solve problems and think creatively.

Of course, the benefits of physical exercise extend beyond just improving our creativity and problem-solving skills. Exercise has also been shown to have a range of mental health benefits, including reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety and improving our overall sense of well-being.

So if you are looking to boost your creativity and problem-solving skills, consider incorporating regular physical exercise into your routine. Whether you prefer to hit the gym, go for a run, or engage in a more leisurely form of physical activity, the benefits of exercise are well worth exploring.

In conclusion, physical exercise is a powerful tool for improving our mental abilities and enhancing our creativity and problem-solving skills. By increasing blood flow to the brain and reducing stress and anxiety, exercise can help us to be more focused, mentally sharp, and creative. So if you are looking to boost your mental abilities and solve problems more effectively, consider incorporating regular physical exercise into your routine.

What activities do you regularly perform to stay in shape?

Attitude: How GRIT and Resilience breeds greatness.

Grit and resilience are two qualities that can play a crucial role in helping us overcome challenges and succeed in life. They are essential components of what psychologist Angela Duckworth calls "grit," which she defines as "perseverance and passion for long-term goals."

Grit and resilience are not traits that we are born with, but rather qualities that we can develop and cultivate over time. This is good news for anyone who wants to build their resilience, as it means that these qualities can be learned and improved upon.

One of the key benefits of building resilience is that it can help us bounce back from setbacks and challenges more quickly and effectively. This is important because setbacks are an inevitable part of life. No matter how successful or accomplished we are, we will all face challenges and obstacles that test our resolve. Resilience gives us the ability to persevere and stay focused on our goals, even in the face of adversity.

Research has also shown that people who are more resilient are less likely to experience depression and anxiety. This is likely due to the fact that resilient individuals are better able to manage stress and cope with the challenges that life throws their way.

In addition to these mental health benefits, resilience can also improve our physical health. People who are more resilient are less likely to experience chronic illnesses and are better able to recover from illness and injury. This is because resilience helps us to maintain a positive outlook, which in turn reduces the physiological stress response that can have negative impacts on our health.

So how can we build our resilience and develop more grit? One effective strategy is to engage in regular physical activity. Exercise has been shown to improve both physical and mental resilience, as it helps to reduce stress and promote feelings of well-being. Additionally, it is important to focus on building strong social connections, as social support can help us to cope with challenges and bounce back more quickly.

Another important component of resilience is having a growth mindset. This means that we view setbacks and challenges not as evidence of failure, but as opportunities for growth and learning. By adopting a growth mindset, we can learn from our mistakes, become more resilient, and build the grit we need to overcome challenges and succeed in life.

In conclusion, grit and resilience are critical qualities for overcoming challenges and achieving success in life. They are not traits that we are born with, but rather qualities that we can develop and cultivate over time. By engaging in regular physical activity, building strong social connections, and adopting a growth mindset, we can build the resilience and grit we need to succeed in the face of adversity.

“MBA” Books I’d recommend for February: 

Fearless Leadership by Alan Weiss

The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor

“MBA” Questions to Rise Above Your Best on a daily basis.

• What can I do to protect myself against the hedonic treadmill?
• How will I incorporate exercise into my regular routines?
• How will I leverage the research available to build resilience?

What topics would you like covered in future episodes?  

Send your comments and suggestions to me at patrick@emeryleadershipgroup.com

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Patrick Veroneau

Leadership Coach and TEDx speaker

Best-selling author of The Leadership Bridge 

Emery Leadership Group (link to website)

Host of the Learning from Leaders Podcast 

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