As the weeks roll by, the COVID-19 challenge can feel stiffer and stiffer. If ever we faced a time that called for personal resilience, this is it.
It’s not easy to adjust one’s financial plans in order to stick to one’s financial strategy. It’s not easy to remain wise, warm and cool headed when uncertainty is all around. And it’s not easy to be encouraging and cheerful with those close to us when the news is bombarding us with negativity. All of this takes personal resilience.
In her wonderful book, “Positivity”, Barbara Fredrickson PhD, writes:
“We can all be astonishingly resilient. Indeed, this is your birthright as a human being. Positivity, we’ve discovered, is at the heart of human resilience. Resilience is a resource you can build.”
Her simple method for building resilience is the 3 to1 positivity ratio. It really works. Here’s how: develop habitual patterns of thought that induce three positive emotions for every one negative emotion.
She lists ten positive emotions: Love Joy Gratitude Serenity Interest Hope Pride Amusement Inspiration Awe. Develop habitual patterns of thought that give rise to these wonderful emotions.
The 3 to1 positivity ratio is simple, but it takes commitment and daily effort.
As you may recall, Positivity is the P in PERMAV, the six elements of well-being. So if you master the 3 to 1 positivity ratio you will not only build up your resilience, you will flourish.
This memo was prepared solely by Terry and Patty Rempel who are registered representatives of FundEX (a member of the Mutual Funds Dealers Association of Canada and the MFDA Investor Protection Corporation). The views and opinions, including any recommendations, expressed in this memo are those of Terry and Patty Rempel. Bluestone Financial is a personal trade name of Terry and Patty Rempel.
