Three Simple Words to a Happier You

by Kathy Mahoney

Last week, I had the opportunity to attend the New England Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (NEACRO) annual Reverse College Day in which the keynote speaker focused on gratitude. My biggest takeaway was the power of three simple words used to create a positive mindset. Oftentimes around the dinner table, we ask our family members “How was your day,” an innocuous question that can actually hinder our positive mindset. This question allows varied responses, both positive and negative. “What went well,” on the other hand, forces us to focus on positive happenings throughout our day. When first trying this out, teens might laugh at the idea and respond “nothing” or “I don’t know.” However, with a little prodding, they can think of even the smallest thing that brightened their day. Practiced each day, this method of focusing on the positive can nourish a positive mindset that will make us happier over time. So let me ask you, “What went well today?”