The Power of Positive Anticipation
- 18 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Isn’t it amazing how something that hasn’t even happened yet can already make you smile?
Maybe it is someone you are going to see.
Somewhere you are going.
A meal you have planned.
Time with your family.
Or simply a little time you have set aside for yourself.
It hasn’t happened yet.
But you think about it and smile.
“I’m looking forward to that.”
There is something about having something good ahead of us that can change how today feels.
Last weekend, we explored The Power to Pause.
We talked about giving our brains enough space to move from simply reacting
towards choosing what happens next.
And perhaps this Sunday, we can use some of that space to think about something else.
What are you looking forward to?
Because Sunday has an interesting way of doing this.
The weekend isn’t over just yet, but Monday can already start creeping into our thoughts...
if it has not already!
We start thinking...
What do I need to do tomorrow?
What haven’t I finished?
Who do I need to call?
What’s happening this week?
Have I remembered everything?
Perhaps you recognise that too.
Before we know it, we haven’t simply looked ahead.
We have filled ahead!
Filled the week with responsibilities before we have even arrived in it!
But what if looking ahead wasn’t only about anticipating what will be required of us?
What if there was something good there too?
Something that makes us think:
“Ooooooh yes, I’m looking forward to that!”
Your Brain Notices the Good Things Too
This is where positive anticipation becomes really interesting.
When we expect something enjoyable, our brain’s reward and motivation systems can become involved before the experience itself happens.
So the enjoyment doesn’t necessarily wait until we get there.
And I love that!
Because it doesn’t have to be something huge.
Something like...
Seeing a friend.
A family evening.
A walk.
Trying something new.
A meal you love.
Or twenty quiet minutes with your hot water and lemon...lool
A Sunday Thought
We are very good at giving the things we have to do somewhere to live.
We put them in the calendar.
We set reminders.
We plan around them.
So before Monday arrives in the next few hours, perhaps we can also make room for something we get to enjoy.
There is an executive function supporting us here too:
Planning.
Planning doesn’t only have to help us manage responsibilities.
It can help us make room for what matters.
So today, choose one thing you genuinely want to look forward to this week.
Nothing complicated.
Nothing you have to earn.
Just something that makes you smile when you think:
“That’s coming.”
Give it somewhere to live.
And then allow yourself to enjoy looking forward to it.
#IChoose to make room for something I genuinely look forward to.
If You Remember One Thing…
Last weekend, we considered the power to pause.
This Sunday, before the week fills itself with everything that needs doing, give yourself something good to anticipate too.
Because sometimes the enjoyment doesn’t begin when you get there.
Sometimes it begins in the looking forward.
Look forward to something...
With Gratitude,
Your Friend and Coach,
Annabel
C3 | Collaborative Cognitive Continuity
Created by Annabel Aaron
#GodLover#BrainHealthUnapologetically #IChoose #ExecutiveFunction #CollaborativeCognitiveContinuity
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