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Welcome to The Brighter Side of Everything.

This newsletter serves a 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 be a leader within your own life and seize life’s opportunities.

Read time: 8-10 minutes.

Bright Side in Brief

What’s covered this week?

• Set Your Intentions - Crafting your Daily Purpose

• The Swan Appearance - The Hidden Struggles Beneath the Surface

• Bright Reads - Quick links to fun or insightful articles

• Bookmarks - It's Better Than It Looks - by Gregg Easterbrook

• Insights from an Expert - Adam Grant

• A Previous Tweet - There is beauty everywhere.

• Daily Gratitude Journal

• Positively Hilarious - Smile like you mean it.

Hi everyone,

I’d like to extend a warm welcome to our newest subscribers, along with a heartfelt thank you to those who continue to read along.

After spending three emotional weeks in Australia, our family has returned to Canada and flipped our global time zones.

The jet lag has been manageable - well, except for a couple of late-night FIFA matches in the basement at 4 a.m. when we’re all wide awake!

Last night, we attended a wedding.

A great wedding.

The evening was filled with laughter, heartfelt speeches and the energy of family and friends coming together to celebrate the union of two great friends of ours.

It was a beautiful reminder of the power of love and celebration.

As we danced the night away, I couldn't help but reflect on how moments like these highlight the brighter side of life.

The most important and satisfying aspect of life is human connection, genuine human connection.

Everything else is just noise.

These experiences inspire us to approach each day with intention and positivity.

It can challenge us to ask: am I truly living, or just merely existing?

Last week I touched on how you can decide what kind of day you want to have when you wake up.

After receiving a few questions from you during the week, I wanted to expand on this thought a bit further.

Whether you're dealing with jet lag like us or facing other daily challenges, you'll find practical tips to help you shape your days with purpose and optimism.

Have you ever considered how setting intentions can transform your daily experience?

It’s a simple practice that allows you to take charge of your day and align your actions with your values.

Setting intentions is about more than just making plans; it’s about deciding how you want to feel and show up in the world.

When you start your day with clear intentions, you create a roadmap for how you want to tackle challenges and embrace opportunities.

So, how do you effectively set intentions?

Here’s a straightforward approach:

Why Setting Intentions Matters

Clarity of Purpose: When you set intentions, you gain clarity on what truly matters to you. This helps guide your decisions and actions throughout the day.

Increased Mindfulness: Intentions encourage you to be present and aware of your thoughts and actions, allowing you to respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively.

Improved Focus: Intentions serve as a compass, helping you stay on track and avoid distractions that don’t align with your goals.

Enhanced Motivation: With clear intentions, you’re more likely to feel motivated and energised to pursue your day with purpose.

Greater Satisfaction: Aligning your actions with your intentions leads to a deeper sense of fulfilment.

And just so you know, it feels good to feel good.

How to Set Effective Intentions

1. Start Your Day Right: Take a few moments each morning to set your intentions. This could be part of a quick meditation or jotting them down in a journal.

2. Be Specific: Instead of vague intentions like "be happy," try something more focused, like "I will approach challenges with curiosity and openness."

3. Focus on the Present: Frame your intentions in the present tense, as if they’re already happening. For example, "I am calm and centred today."

4. Make Them Positive: Use positive language in your intentions. Instead of "I won’t get stressed," try "I remain calm and composed in all situations."

5. Keep Them Realistic: Set intentions that are achievable within your current circumstance. This helps to maintain your motivation and avoid frustration.

6. Write Them Down: Writing your intentions can make them feel more concrete and reinforce your commitment to them.

Building Intentions into Your Day

1. Visual Reminders: Use sticky notes with your intentions placed in visible spots or set reminders on your phone to keep them top of mind.

2. Regular Check-ins: Take brief moments throughout the day to reconnect with your intentions and assess how you’re going with them.

3. Evening Reflection: Before bed, reflect on how well you lived up to your intentions and consider what adjustments you might make for tomorrow. Doing this in real-time creates a positive habit.

4. Be Flexible: Remember that intentions are guides, not rigid rules. Be open to adapting them as needed.

5. Be Kind to Yourself: If you find it challenging to meet your intentions, treat yourself with kindness and use it as an opportunity to learn.

The Power of Consistency

Setting intentions is a practice that becomes even more powerful when done consistently.

Over time, this habit can lead to significant personal growth, improved well-being and a greater sense of control over your life.

By regularly setting intentions, you’re not just reacting to life; you’re actively shaping your experiences.

This proactive approach empowers you to live with purpose and intention each day.

Remember, it’s not about perfection; it’s about progress.

Each day is a new opportunity to align your actions with your values and aspirations.

By setting intentions, you’re taking a meaningful step toward living a more fulfilling and purpose-driven life.

See you on the Brighter Side,

Chris

P.S. Send me feedback on how I can improve. I respond to every email.

The Swan Appearance

The Hidden Struggles Beneath the Surface

Have you ever watched a swan glide gracefully across a serene lake?

It’s elegant neck is arched, its feathers are pristine and its movements are smooth and effortless.

But if you take a moment to look below the surface, you'll see a different story.

Those beautiful creatures paddle furiously with their webbed feet, working hard to maintain that calm facade.

This image captures the concept of the "swan appearance" - a metaphor for the struggles that many people face beneath their seemingly perfect exteriors.

The truth is … life is hard.

At times it can be really, really hard.

But I find it interesting that when you acknowledge that life isn’t fair and that it’s bloody hard … it all seems to become easier.

Stop making excuses for your situation and start taking responsibility.

Social media often showcases curated snapshots of happiness, success and confidence.

We see friends, colleagues and influencers appearing to have it all together - thriving in their careers, enjoying fulfilling relationships and living their best lives.

However, what we often fail to recognize is that behind those polished images lie stories of self-doubt, persistence and the relentless pursuit of personal growth.

The Reality Beneath the Surface

Everyone is fighting their own battles, even if they don't wear them on their sleeves.

Just like the swan, many people are paddling furiously beneath the surface, grappling with challenges that may not be visible to the outside world.

Here are some common struggles that often go unnoticed:

• Self-Doubt: Even the most accomplished folks experience moments of uncertainty. The fear of failure can be paralyzing, leading to second-guessing decisions and questioning your worth. For example, someone may appear confident in meetings, but behind closed doors, they wrestle with imposter syndrome, fearing they're not as capable as others believe them to be.

• Failures and Rejections: Behind every success story lies a trail of setbacks. Think about writers who submit their work to numerous publishers, only to face rejection after rejection. Yet, it's through these experiences that they refine their craft and eventually find a publisher who believes in their story. Setbacks are setups.

• Persistence and Sacrifice: Reaching larger goals often requires unwavering determination and sacrifice. Dedicated students are a great example of this. While they may appear composed and knowledgeable in class, they are likely spending countless hours studying, sacrificing social events and managing stress to achieve their dream.

• Stress and Loss: Life will throw curveballs that leave us feeling overwhelmed. Someone may seem confident and successful at work, but they could be dealing with grief from a recent loss, impacting their emotional well-being.

• Criticism and Judgment: Facing criticism can be daunting but also valuable. At the end of the day, everyone can have an opinion on anything, so don’t read too heavily into criticism. For instance, an artist could receive harsh feedback on their work, leading them to question their talent and reconsider their passion.

Embracing the Brighter Side

How do we navigate these hidden struggles while still embracing the brighter side of life?

As I mentioned earlier, somehow, when you realise that life is hard and unfair, you place less emphasis on the little things that annoy you and more on the beauty that surrounds you.

Here are some actionable insights to help you foster a positive mindset, even in the face of adversity:

1. Try Being Vulnerable

Embracing vulnerability can create deeper connections with others.

For example, a manager shares their struggles with team members during a meeting.

By opening up about their challenges, they create an environment where others feel safe to share their own experiences, building a supportive team culture.

2. Shift Your Perspective

Instead of comparing your behind-the-scenes to someone else's highlight reel, recognise that everyone has their own battles.

Focus on your journey.

If you find yourself envious of a colleague's success, take a moment to reflect on your own achievements, no matter how small.

Celebrate the progress you've made, such as completing a challenging project or learning a new skill.

3. Build Your Resilience

Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth.

Think of a professional athlete who suffers a significant injury.

Instead of giving up, they might use the time to focus on rehabilitation, learn new techniques and come back stronger than ever.

Each setback can become a stepping stone toward greater success.

4. Practice Self-Compassion

Be kind to yourself.

After a tough day at work, instead of berating yourself for not achieving everything on your to-do list, take a moment to acknowledge your efforts and remind yourself that it's okay to have off days.

Treat yourself and rest up for a new day.

Rest ethic is just as crucial as work ethic.

5. Ask for Support

Reach out for help.

If you're feeling overwhelmed by personal challenges, confide in a close friend or consider joining a support group.

Someone you can share your experiences with and learn from that have faced similar struggles.

Sometimes, just knowing that someone else understands can lighten the load.

Conclusion: The Beauty of Authenticity

Embrace the beauty of authenticity.

You can’t be everything, to everyone, all of the time.

The swan's appearance may be alluring, but it's the struggles beneath the surface that shape us into who we are.

When we embrace our challenges and recognise the power of healthy relationships it will lead to growth and improved connections.

Acknowledge your struggles but also embrace the brighter side of everything.

Frame your perspective differently and shift from “Why is this happening to me?” to “What can I learn from this?”

Each challenge you face is an opportunity to rise, learn and thrive.

I encourage you to give it a go, optimism can be trained like a muscle.

But just like anything worth doing, it takes practice.

Bright Reads

Interesting insights to ignite your inner optimist.

• The Truth About Emotional Intelligence.

• Age no barrier for Italy’s 90-year-old sprint queen.

• Simple Ways to Spot a Liar.

• Where the Time Goes with Age.

• The 50 Most Incredible Castles in the World.

Bookmarks

It's Better Than It Looks: Reasons for Optimism in an Age of Fear - by Gregg Easterbrook

Overview

In It's Better Than It Looks, Gregg Easterbrook, a New York Times bestselling author, explores why many Americans feel worse off today even though they're statistically better off than ever before.

Easterbrook argues that the 24-hour news cycle and social media's constant stream of negative news has skewed our perception of reality, leading to a sense of fear and pessimism that is not entirely justified.

Key Insights

1. Progress is often overlooked
   Easterbrook presents compelling evidence that we are witnessing the greatest improvement in global living standards in history. Poverty, disease, crime, and pollution are in long-term decline, while life expectancy and education are on the rise. However, these positive trends often go unnoticed due to the media's focus on negative stories.

2. Optimism is essential for problem-solving
   The author emphasizes that optimism is not just a feel-good sentiment but a crucial factor in driving progress and innovation. A positive mindset can lead to creative solutions for pressing challenges such as climate change and inequality. By building a culture of optimism, we can better tackle these issues and work towards a brighter future.

3. Lessons from history
   Easterbrook draws on historical examples to illustrate how humanity has overcome significant obstacles in the past. He reminds readers that many of the fears we face today have been met with resilience and ingenuity throughout history. By reflecting on these successes, Easterbrook encourages readers to adopt a hopeful perspective and recognise that progress is possible.

My Takeaway

It's Better Than It Looks is a timely book that challenges the dominant narrative of doom and gloom.

Easterbrook's well-researched arguments and easy writing style make a compelling case for a more optimistic outlook on the state of the world.

While acknowledging the very real challenges we face, he emphasizes the importance of focusing on the progress we've made and the potential for a brighter future.

My key lessons from the book are:

• Look beyond the negative news and recognise the significant improvements in human well-being

• Maintain a positive mindset to drive progress and innovation

• Learn from history's examples of overcoming adversity

• Embrace optimism as a tool for problem-solving and personal growth

By embracing these lessons, you can shift your perspective and contribute to a more optimistic outlook.

It's Better Than It Looks is a great read for anyone keen to understand the power of optimism in navigating life.

Insights from an Expert

Insecure leaders often ridicule others to hide their flaws.

This is a concept that translates within regular life as well as leadership.

Secure leaders laugh at themselves often and are never afraid to make mistakes or be wrong, which invites openness and trust.

The humility to poke fun at yourself allows for candid conversations and learning.

Great leaders take their work seriously but not themselves.

The ability to laugh at yourself creates a positive environment where everyone feels empowered to share ideas and embrace imperfections.

A previous tweet …

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.

Thank you to all who have purchased a copy so far, I am truly grateful and for every journal sold, I will donate $1 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. 

This means that as you develop daily gratitude, you're also helping grant wishes to children facing critical illnesses.

It's a powerful cycle of hope and optimism.

🌟 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.

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