Cultivating a Hopeful Mindset: The Power of Self-Reflection

©The MBT Blog published by MBT Mindful Business Today

My niece and I recently watched the Michelle Obama documentary from 2020, “Becoming.” While watching, we both suddenly became silent and sad. Then, my niece said, “This is what we are missing now – hope.” Amidst the constant constantness of our world and continual stream of bad news, there is little talk of hope. Yet another reason to develop and maintain a strong mindset, a hopeful mindset.

As human beings, we look for the hope. At home each night, I cuddle with my dogs, cats, and husband – in that order. We seek out movies, television shows, and people who will bring us joy and make us laugh. At the same time, reality closes in around us.

Because you have the power to decide how to feel, how to react, how to show up in this world!

Let’s watch one of our favorite movies, “The Princess Bride” or “When Harry Met Sally.” Oh, that’s right, Rob Reiner and his wife were murdered. Okay. Let’s pick up some hamburger and have nachos for dinner. Oh, that’s right, at $6.99 per pound, we can’t afford hamburger. Veggie and black bean nachos sound good?

What do we do? What can we do? Look backward, forward, and sideways for the hope you seek. I am completely serious. Do not give up your quest for hope and happiness.

For me, the solution for finding hope and happiness is first to look inward. I build a strong, happy, and hopeful mindset first by writing down my thoughts. It is no secret I am offering journaling classes this month. I will continue to offer them throughout the year.

Why look inward? Why journaling? Why start with yourself? Because you have the power to decide how to feel, how to react, how to show up in this world! And the source of that power is a strong, hopeful, positive mindset.

Here is what journaling can do?

• Trends emerge through journaling that illuminate how I respond to the world.
• I discover both my negative reactions – those that are harmful to my mindset – and my positive reactions – those that help me achieve by noticing what I have written in my journal.
• When I am down, my writings reveal happy times and past accomplishments. These memories replenish me.
• The ritual of taking quiet time for myself to decompress is self-care.

Look inward for hope. Replenish yourself. Then share it with your community. And, if you need help doing that, join a journaling class or reach out to me at mary@mbtmorebusinesstodayllc.com. I am here to support you in your journey to mindful leadership.