About a year ago, I discovered this wonderful podcast called Happier with Gretchen Rubin. It changed my life. Since I began listening to it, I have been happier, healthier, and more productive – and I’m not lying! I listened to one of the newest episodes of the time – Find Your Oasis – and I was instantly intrigued. I went back to episode 1 and began binge-listening to it almost immediately. It was an interesting way to spend a strength workout!

A quick overview of that episode in case you don’t plan to listen or read the show notes – Gretchen and Liz advise us to find an Oasis in our week (Liz gets a weekly massage and I am so envious) and remind us that healthy treats are a good thing. We are reminded of many Strategies for Happiness (and Habit Change) relating to The Four Tendencies framework, knowing oneself better (in this case it was abstainer vs moderator), loopholes, planned exceptions, and using the Strategy of “the clean slate” to change one’s habits. Also, Gretchen gives herself a happiness demerit for doing what is urgent instead of what is important. Liz gives a gold star to a speaker, author, and podcaster who has spoken at her son’s school. There were so many interesting things in this episode that I immediately wanted to know more.

Part 2 of my workout was spent taking the Four Tendencies Quiz and discovering my Tendency – when it comes to expectations, who am I? What are my patterns? How is this something that I can use to better myself, and as the tagline of the show suggests, lead a happier, healthier, more productive life? Continue reading “From the Overflow” →