The Negativity Fast

The American Psychiatric Association’s Healthy Minds Poll found that one in four people anticipated more stress at the start of 2023. That number is up from 2022 and includes everything from personal finances to mental health. It’s important to remember that it is possible to be stressed and anxious over a number of these common stressors.

Add to this list, what we describe as the ACDC environment:

• Doom-scrolling on social media 
• A hot war in Europe

• The highest inflation in over 40 years

• A 20% increase in the cost of groceries

• Perhaps the worst political divisiveness since the Civil War.

• Increasing crime rates and homelessness in our cities.
• You can add your own list of concerns to this one...
  
  

You can be afraid of all of this. You can feel negative about it. And you can even bury your head in the sand and pretend nothing is happening. But where will it lead you?

We've reached a point where getting rid of negativity isn't a “nice-to-have” — it is a critical need. At least if we want to be able to enjoy life, quickly adapt to ever-changing circumstances, and grow—personally, mentally, and financially. I want you to know that you don’t have to spend so much time being negative. I want you to know you can do something about your well-being. I know this to be true, because at one time, not only was I negative, I was also angry.

My First Negativity Fast

One day I visited one of my favorite law school professors before class to complain about politics and geopolitics. I was concerned—and largely negative—about everything, all the time. My professor suggested that I should let go of all of my anger and my negativity.

He told me it wasn’t helpful, and that I would have a greater and more positive impact on my family and the world if I was ready to let go of my negativity.

I wasn’t ready to make that change. But about 6 months later:

• I canceled every political newspaper, newsletter, and magazine.
• I turned off cable news.
• I started to distance myself from negative people in my life. 
  


I called this process, The Negativity Fast.

The Negativity Fast will help you spend less time in a negative state and more time in a positive one. This isn’t any woo-woo approach where you tell yourself to be positive. Instead, The Negativity Fast is a science-based approach to some very simple yet effective strategies.

• You'll learn how to identify triggers of negativity in your environment
• Discover mindfulness techniques that shift your focus.

• Understand how to build a support system that amplifies positivity.