Have you ever dreamt about what it would be like to win an Olympic medal and to be considered the best in the world at what you do?
Standing on the podium has to be a moment Olympians have always dreamt of yet when that moment finally arrives, for a certain few, the reaction is not quite as you would expect. For instance, you would assume a silver medalist would be just as happy, if not more to be receiving their medal as the bronze medalist...right?
Not quite…You see studies have shown that Bronze medalists were found to be much happier than Silver medalists. Why?
The answer comes from a concept in psychology known as counter factual thinking. This is basically the human tendency to create in our minds other possible alternatives to life events that have already happened. In the case of Olympians, it is imagining the outcome that didn’t happen…
For the Silver medalist they are focused on what they didn’t get, what they don’t have and how they just missed out on winning the Gold medal which creates a sense of unhappiness.
For the Bronze medalist they are focused on what they did get, what they do have and how fortunate they are just to even be on the podium which creates a sense of happiness.
So, what is the lesson here? I bring up this topic simply because I am fascinated with how this same concept that Olympic athletes experience can also apply in our own lives. What type of lens do you view life through each and every day? What do you choose to focus on and how is it affecting your perspective on the events that happen in your life?
Do you find yourself getting caught up in “Silver medal moments” thinking about…All that is missing in your life, all that you don’t have, and all that you haven’t done? Just like the Silver medalist who is comparing themselves to the Gold medalist, maybe you are spending too much time comparing yourself to others around you and not enough time focused on your own personal development? If so this may be affecting your ultimate happiness.
Instead, choosing to experience more “Bronze medal moments” in your life like coming from a place of gratitude, focusing on all the many blessings in your life and what you have to be thankful for can significantly increase your happiness and sense of overall well-being.
Now don’t get me wrong, just like you I would much prefer to win the Silver medal than the Bronze medal (The Gold medal would obviously be even better!!). But here is the truth…
Your happiness will never be found in having more of what you want, but rather in wanting more of what you have!!
I will leave you with this quote by Les Brown that sums this Max Moment up…
“If you are not willing to risk you cannot grow, if you cannot grow you cannot become your best, if you cannot become your best you cannot be happy, and if you can’t be happy then what else is there.”
Choose to make today a GREAT day and always choose to Live Life 2 The Max!
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