The brain has a negativity bias. You’ll give a presentation to 20 people, one person didn’t like it, that’s what you think about. You’ve had an amazing day, an amazing year, two challenging things happen, that’s what the brain focuses on. You’re in a beautiful restaurant, everything is magical, you’re having the time of your life, the food comes out 10 minutes late, that’s what you remember. You’ve had a great past, a few ups and downs. What does the human brain focus on? The few tragedies or the few betrayals of false friends versus all the people who were so good to you. That is the brain’s negativity bias in action. What is the antidote to fear? What is the antidote to that negativity bias. Deliberate gratitude. Actively, daily, as part of your morning routine, pulling out your journal and writing down, “I am grateful for 25 things,” if you like.
