The Secret Benefit of Crappy Situations

I was boarding my plane and I couldn’t help it.There was nothing I could do.I got sick right there on the jetway.I took a knee and let everyone pass by me.They escorted me out and denied me for flying.

I feel awful.

My whole body hurts.

But do you know what I thought of immediately afterward?

I was thinking of how grateful I am that this isn’t that bad.I’m sick and I have to pay for an extra room/night—I’m not dying.I’m grateful for how my team executed our latest project.I’m grateful that Southwest treated me with respect and kindness and rescheduled my flight at no extra cost right on the spot.I even was reminded of Veteran’s Day and all the folks who have done the hard work so I can make the impact I want.I know this was a little weird to be thinking about while my stomach was turning in knots—but that’s just the point.

I haven’t always thought this way.

It’s been a habit of remembering that when things suck, it’s actually not that bad.There is a 0% return on investment for complaining.There is an immediate benefit of feeling gratitude.

2 Minute Action

What’s something that sucked recently?How might you zoom out or reframe this to see the big picture?Gratitude can happen by itself, for sure, but you can also make it happen with just a little more effort.The benefits are huge.Just think!You have the power to turn lots of crappy situations into positivity!

[TOOL] This Unusual Conversation Totally Changed My Mind

I just wrote a post on Medium.The title is:

The Counterintuitive Productivity Habit That Is Changing Lives

It’s a clickbait headline that draws attention because I believe in the content and what people will get from itAnyway, I wanted to examine that post for a second, here on the blog.The idea is mainly an extension of my post about the Death Bed Timer.That's the one where I talk about how I’ve estimated how many days, weeks, months, and years I’ve got left to live and how I check the countdown clock to re-establish a sense of urgency in my work.I don’t want to get to the end of my life with regret.I’d rather stare death in the face and be ready when it comes.I’d also rather put the pressure on myself to act in accordance with my dreams instead of waiting until later in life to take action.Anyway, the post goes on about the Age of Distraction—the name I use for the state of constant disruption that smartphone notifications and emails have put us in.

It then goes on to reveal something I usually don’t talk about: a thing.

Yep.A smartwatch.Yeah, I talked with a couple founders about their product after they reached out to me.Now listen, I get approached all the time by brands and products from people who really want to sell gsrbage—but these guys were different.In fact, the whole conversation we had was about how they want to help people avoid regret and live their best life. We barely talked about the mechanics of the watch at all.

After hearing it from them firsthand, I decided I needed to look further and I was impressed.

The had basically, independently, taken my death-bed timer concept and turned it into a smartwatch.Now, of course, it does more than just one thing, but you get the idea.So naturally, I told them I would tell you about it.Please check out their Kickstarter page to see if they still have watches available.These guys raised over $10k in a day and hit their goal in under an hour.I talked with them and we worked it out so that if you click this link you can get about a 40% discount on the retail price.https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/thush/emit-smartwatch-change-your-perspective-on-time?ref=36ekahNot bad.

Just don’t wait to buy one later because these things are disappearing quick.

There are only a few remaining at this price and the deal ends in a few days.

This is a Kickstarter project and there are a limited number of these set for production.

Click here for EMIT availability.

Plus, if you have any issues with it in the first two years, they’ll send you a new watch!

I don’t think anyone else on Kickstarter has a guarantee like that.

Thought you might find this useful.2 Minute ActionIf you feel like this could work, click and make it happen.If you feel like it's not for you, hit reply and let me know what's on your mind.

This Makes Huge Impact And Takes No Time At All

Here’s something that’s a little different than what I typically write:I want to say this to you directly because you’re reading this.You have given me a gift; your attention.It means the world to me.

Thank you.

Today I want to express my gratitude to you for reading my work.There are a LOT of ways to spend your time and a LOT of emails in your inbox and a LOT of people trying to get in front of you.I just want you to know that I don’t take it for granted and I know it’s a limited resource that you’ve chosen to give to me.This is huge.Thank you so much for your comments, your thoughts, and your attention.

2 Minute Action

Take 2 minutes to say thank you to someone today.Be intentional and make them know that you really mean it.Look them in the eyes and let them feel your gratitude.This is one of the most productive things you can do with 2 minutes.