I wrote and first published this on LinkedIn, in the unsettled days leading up to a huge layoff event. I was reaching for a touch stone to remind me of my value, and my values, in the midst of the anxiety all around. The layoffs were unprecedented at the time for my company and sent huge shock-waves through my network, and even the local business community. Three years later, I’m still hearing about them, and three years later the Feels Great file still has a special role to play.
I received a note this morning that made me think to ask you all: Do you keep a Feels Great file? Everyone should. It’s so important to have this file when times are tough – those times you wonder if you’ve made an impact, or it feels like you’re failing but not failing forward, or the economy is down and the outlook is grim. Read the stuff in that Feels Great file and remember that you do make a difference and deliver value.
It’s important to pull out that file when times are fantastic, too. It will help you savor your the moment, which research shows contributes directly to our happiness. It will remind you of your strengths, which are the wellspring to growth. It will encourage you to play a bigger game.
Make the email inbox folder or paper file before you need it – make it right now, it takes about 10 seconds. Then start to consciously notice when you get messages that for whatever reason make you Feel Great, and pop ‘em in there.
Simple actions, big impact.