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The Brighter Side of Everything
Your journey to optimism awaits.
Welcome to The Brighter Side of Everything.
This newsletter serves a very simple purpose → To help you build optimism, resilience and a solution-focused perspective.
Each week, I’ll share actionable insights that not only brighten your day but position you to seize life’s endless opportunities and be a leader within your own life.
Read time: 8 minutes.
Bright Side in Brief
What we’ll cover in this edition.
Welcome to the Brighter Side!
Bright Reads - quick links to insightful articles
Insights from an Expert - Adam Grant
Eye Opening Stats - The Impact of Optimism on Longevity
Bookmarks - Atomic Habits by James Clear
A Bright Idea to Consider - Alphonse Karr
Daily Gratitude Journal
Positively Hilarious - smile like you mean it.
Welcome to the Brighter Side!
Hi there,
You’re special (in a great way!)
You’ve joined our community and that demonstrates how committed you are to an optimistic mindset.
The power of positivity is undeniable.
It's a mindset that will have a significant impact on your life, influencing your thoughts, behaviours and overall outlook on the world.
First, let me make one thing clear - I don't do toxic positivity; it's not my style.
I'm all about practical, solution-focused, forward-thinking positivity.
As a 45-year-old husband of 14 years with two kids and a career I look back on with pride, I've regularly seen the power of optimism in action.
I know life isn't always a walk in the park.
It's often unfair and can be hard (really hard), at times.
Rather than just putting on a happy face and telling you to look on the bright side, I'll share actionable strategies to tackle life's challenges head-on.
Think of it as learning to dance in the rain and celebrating the benefits each rainfall brings, rather than getting upset because it’s inconvenient to get wet.
When we approach life with an optimistic attitude, we position ourselves to:
take advantage of opportunities
overcome obstacles
achieve greater success and fulfillment
Stepping into the Black Sea with Lucas - Lozenets, Bulgaria (2018)
Welcome (once again) to the Brighter Side of Everything newsletter.
My aim here is to provide you with regular actionable insights that help you position yourself to seize the opportunities that come your way and achieve greater success.
A key benefit of positivity is that it helps you focus on your strengths and capabilities, rather than your limitations and weaknesses.
When we believe in ourselves and our abilities, we become more confident and resilient and better able to handle challenges and setbacks.
By approaching others with kindness and empathy, we create a positive and uplifting environment that encourages collaboration and teamwork.
And most importantly, positivity creates a sense of possibility and opportunity.
When we approach life with a can-do attitude, we're more likely to take risks, pursue our dreams and seize the opportunities that come our way.
By embracing positivity, we open ourselves up to new experiences and challenges, allowing us to grow and develop in ways we may never have thought possible.
Of course, maintaining a positive attitude isn’t always easy, especially in the face of adversity or setbacks.
As a new member of this community, I can help you develop your optimism and reap the many benefits that come with it.
We focus on the positive, position ourselves for success and create a life rich with possibility.
I’m on a mission to create a global army of solution-focused optimists to ensure a better tomorrow.
And my small ask of you?
Share the love.
Share this email with those who need it (a referral incentive will follow)
Follow on X (@TheBSofE) and engage (like/comment/repost)
And most importantly, be the light in any room and take every opportunity to lift others rather than drag them down.
Thanks for joining me on the brighter side, here's to a positive and uplifting journey ahead.
Chris
P.S. I appreciate you.
Bright Reads
Ignite your inner optimist.
Does your busy life prevent you from having more fun?
Mental health benefits linked to listening to new music.
Life as a game.
How to have better conversations.
20 of the world’s best beaches from Conde Nast.
Insights from an Expert
A key to learning from everyday mistakes is learning to laugh at yourself.
Self-deprecating humor disrupts defensiveness and builds humility. It reminds you that you're only human.
Taking your responsibilities seriously should never stand in the way of taking your ego lightly.
— Adam Grant (@AdamMGrant)
4:15 PM • Dec 12, 2023
Eye-Opening Stats
Science-based facts to super charge your optimism.
A groundbreaking Harvard study published in 2022 outlined the remarkable impact of optimism on longevity.
Key Findings:
Longer Lifespan: Optimistic individuals lived 11-15% longer than their less optimistic counterparts.
Greater Odds of Longevity: Optimists had 50-70% higher chances of reaching 85 years of age.
Consistent Results: The positive effects of optimism held true across diverse racial and ethnic groups.
Independent Factor: Optimism's impact remained significant even after accounting for chronic diseases, depression, and health behaviours.
Large-Scale Study: The research involved 159,255 participants followed for up to 26 years.
The Takeaway:
Building a positive outlook isn't just good for your mood – it can add years to your life. This study provided compelling evidence that optimism is a powerful tool for promoting health and longevity across diverse populations.
These findings align with what I've observed in my own life.
At 45, I've noticed how my optimistic outlook has helped me navigate challenges and maintain better overall health.
It’s not just a thing people say, it works.
Bookmarks
Never stop learning.
Atomic Habits is a popular book written by James Clear.
It explores the science of habits and provides practical strategies for making positive changes in various aspects of life by focusing on small, incremental improvements.
My key takeaway:
Build identity-based habits: One of the most effective ways to change your habits is to focus on who you want to become, rather than what you want to achieve. When your behaviours align with your identity, you're more likely to stick to them long-term.
I received an email from James mentioning the book finished as the NYT's number-one seller in 2023, so I’m far from alone in seeing its value.
Give it a read, you won’t regret it.
Image sourced from Amazon.com
A Bright Idea to Consider
Lessons from the Brightest Thinkers.
Anyone can find joy and beauty in life with a simple shift in perspective.
Never underestimate the power of those who choose to see the positive and opportunity in every situation.
"We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorns have roses."
Daily Gratitude Journal
Transform your daily routine with my specially crafted gratitude journal. Start (or end) each day with a moment of reflection and positivity.
🌟 What's Inside:
Thoughtful prompts to inspire daily gratitude.
Space for personal reflections and affirmations.
Beautifully designed pages to make each entry a delightful experience.
Ready to embrace the power of gratitude?
Click here to order a copy now!
Positively Hilarious
A quick laugh as we part ways this week.
Brought to you by:
On an otherwise quiet news day (tongue planted firmly in cheek), get your news from a fact-based and bias-free source.
Want to improve your outlook?
Don’t watch the news, read 1440.
All your news. None of the bias.
Be the smartest person in the room by reading 1440! Dive into 1440, where 3.5 million readers find their daily, fact-based news fix. We navigate through 100+ sources to deliver a comprehensive roundup from every corner of the internet – politics, global events, business, and culture, all in a quick, 5-minute newsletter. It's completely free and devoid of bias or political influence, ensuring you get the facts straight.
Let’s stay connected.
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