DOSE UP ON MICRO-HOPING
We all get a buzz from big stuff. That rush of adrenaline, the hit of dopamine, the flood of endorphins. It feels like a chemical high. Because it is.
But we can’t all have those big wins every day. And even if we did, they’d lose their impact. So we have to get our kicks from the little wins instead. We call it micro-hoping.
When stuff sucks, it just keeps sucking
Ever noticed how a bad day keeps getting worse? One thing hits the next and you take off down a spiral of everything’s hard. That’s normal. When stuff feels hard, it makes you feel flat and when you feel flat, stuff feels hard. It sucks. The circle looks a bit like this.
CIRCLE OF SUCK
When things are good, life is great
While the circle of suck is a pain in the arse, it’s not far away from the circle of success (or the circle of suck-less if you like the Dad jokes). This is when life is good and nothing’s a problem. And because you feel good, stuff feels easy, you get more done and you feel even better. It’s the awesome day circle everyone wants.
CIRCLE OF SUCcESS
Build yourself a bridge by micro-hoping
So how do you bounce from suck to success? Grab one little win at a time. That’s micro-hoping. You snagged the perfect car park, win. You tidied your desk, win. You set yourself a challenge to clear your inbox and grab a coffee. Win, win, win.
The dopamine hit of achievement gives your brain a buzz. It makes you feel good and then you do it again. It’s the same basic chemistry that makes pokie machines addictive.
Our brains are funny like that. It’s our basic animal instinct. Wins give us hope, while struggles compound our fears. So the best way to bounce from suck to success is to count up the little wins and build yourself a bridge.
Grab the wow of now and switch circles
If you find yourself in a hard, flat, circle of suck, the best way out is to aim small. Your brain can’t tell whether you’ve emptied the dishwasher or won a Nobel Prize. So set yourself a tiny challenge and nail it. It will give you a buzz. Then set another one. It’s addictive.
And that’s the secret of micro-hoping. Set micro-challenges to give you micro-hope and build yourself a bridge to happy town.
IMPORTANT
Mental Health is complicated and super important. It’s okay to not feel okay. So if you’re struggling, talk to someone. A friend, family member or your doctor. Or reach out to one of these awesome organisations.