The research on mindsets is so immense that no one even bothers arguing about whether mindsets matter. They do. We all know it. Mindsets influence our performance, our success, and how we feel. That’s the good news. 

The bad news is that it’s all-natural to automatically adopt negative mindsets. If you’re in a bad mood or mental state, you’ll find it easier to “see” things consistent with your bad mood.  

The human psyche naturally and automatically looks for evidence to confirm what we already believe. At the same time, we tend to overlook, ignore, or dismiss whatever is inconsistent with our existing beliefs. Researchers and writers call this Confirmation bias. 

Confirmation bias is everywhere, in everyone, and operating all the time. According to Brittanica.com, the formal definition is: “People’s tendency to process information by looking for, or interpreting, information that is consistent with their existing beliefs. This biased approach to decision making is largely unintentional, and it results in a person ignoring information that is inconsistent with their beliefs.” An example: 

If you believe your parents or partner are hyper-critical of you, you will watch and listen for evidence to confirm your belief and be more likely to witness and experience them being critical. You will also tend to overlook or miss out noticing when they’re positive and affirming of you. 

This week’s activity involves you intentionally shifting your mindset. Your goal is to look for small things that feel positive. In our University of Montana happiness class, we gave this assignment over Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend and called it: “Witness something inspiring.” We asked students to spend the weekend watching for inspirational moments in real life (not online). Students reported small and glorious outcomes, including:  

• A friend using good study skills 

• Watching my dog play in the yard 

• Seeing my co-worker treat a rude customer with respect 

• Noticing a high school student chat with a very old woman 

Mindset shifting has other names. For example, in her book, Joyful, Ingrid Fetell Lee described “Joyspotting.” Joyspotting is a visual version of orienting yourself to that which brings you joy.  

The Activity:

This week, your job is to intentionally watch, listen, and observe for things you find inspirational. If you don’t like the word inspirational, you can switch it out for joyspotting, and head out in search of joy. Although you could do an online search for “Inspirational,” we hope you’ll watch for inspiring or joyful moments in the real world. 

What you notice may be small or big. The key point is to put your brain on intentional alert for that which will inspire or stimulate joy. Keep your sensory modalities open to the positive.  

One warning: It’s natural to dismiss or disqualify small positive things you notice. You may see someone do something small (like hold open a door) and then quickly dismiss it as “no big deal.” For this week, try to avoid dismissing the small bright spots. Notice them, linger on them, and see what happens. 

If you’re into the social media part of this challenge, we hope you’ll share your experiences. Using your favorite social media platform, consider sharing: 

1. What it was like to intentionally watch for inspiration. 

2. A description of what you observed. 

3. Reactions you had to the inspirational event. 

4. Anything else you want to add.   

You can do this activity all on your own, or you can do it with a friend, a class, or a community.  

Good luck . . . we look forward to your inspirational stories. 

#MHPHappinessChallenge

#MontanaHappiness

Dr. John Sommers-Flanagan, University of Montana