MIND newsletter: Hope or Optimism?
Happy Saturday everyone! I hope you all stay healthy and warm. This week I would like to bring to you:
1. M (Challenge your mindset)
One day last summer when chilling at the park, I noticed a man not far away from where I sat. He wore neat clothes and a cool hat with a big, beautiful smile on his face. After a couple of walking steps, he stopped, then looked up to the sky and let the sunshine flow over his smile. Though walking was very difficult since he only has one leg, he seemed to fully enjoy the moment. That scene somehow has been stuck in my head and today when talking about hope and optimism, it came back.
According to Dave E. Redekopp & Michael Huston (2020), “where optimism is about a better future, hope is about conceiving one’s own ability to reach goals regardless of what the future holds”. If optimism is “tomorrow will be a better day,” hope is “I’ll be fine no matter what tomorrow brings.”
Which one would you choose to accompany you through life’s ups and downs?
2. I (I’m my own coach)
We often take for granted our gifts and strengths, though they could very well be the only thing that you can rely on tomorrow. “Find the person behind the Strengths” is a game you can play with your close friends and loved ones where they remind you of your strengths.
Step 1: Form a group of 3-4 close friends or family.
Step 2: Make a list of strengths for each of the other members in the group.
Step 3: The group then will swap the anonymous lists of strengths.
Step 4: After receiving the lists of strengths, the group members now try to guess the person that the list of strengths characterizes.
Step 5: Finally, ask everyone to come together and reveal the answers. Make sure the group explains why they chose these strengths.
3. N (The power of Now)
Take some time to consider your three strengths and three deepest fears, and write them down. What are they?
4. D (Do)
What is one thing you could do to cultivate your strengths?
Reference:
Dave E.Redekopp & Michael Huston (2020). Strengthening mental health through effective career development: a practitioner’s guide, CERIC.
